FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I maintain my status in the Co-operative education program?
- What happens if I fail a course or drop below the required GPA?
- Can I do the International Exchange Program and Co-op?
- What should I do if a course I am scheduled to take is full?
- Can I work only in the summer semesters?
- Do I have to take summer courses?
- What should I do if I do not have a job for my work term?
- Are there any guidelines for writing Work Term Reports?
- For questions concerning my career development whom should I contact?
- For questions about the Work Term, whom should I contact?
- For questions about my courses, registration or work/study schedules whom should I contact?
- How do I find a job?
- Does the Institute guarantee a job for each student?
- Will my grades be sent to employers?
- After forwarding my resume, what happens if I do not get many interviews?
- Why is there a CWTB/CWTG notation on my transcript?
1. How do I maintain my status in the Co-operative education program?
Each Co-op student must:
Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.70 per semester.
Maintain full-time status (minimum of 12 credits per semester)
Complete each component of your work term successfully, which includes:
Work Site Visit
Employer Evaluation
Work Term Report
Reflective Learning
After the first year of academics, alternate academic and work terms as scheduled and end on an academic semester.
Adhere to all policies and procedures governing the processes of job posting, interviews, evaluation and conduct, as outlined in the Terms and Conditions for Co-op Students, as well as to those in the University calendar.
2. What happens if I fail a course or drop below the required GPA?
If your semester GPA drops below 2.7, you will be notified and asked to meet with your Academic Director. If your cumulative GPA drops below 2.7, you will be placed on probation. If your cumulative GPA drops below 2.7 for two consecutive semesters you may be asked to leave Coop. Coop students must pass all their academic courses.
3. Can I do the International Exchange Program and Co-op?
Yes. Once you formalize which school you will be attending abroad, we then modify your work-study schedule to accommodate your semester abroad.
4. What should I do if a course I am scheduled to take is full?
Co-op students are given priority registration (meaning they may register the first day that registration begins). A special in-person registration (On-Site Registration) will take place before the semester commences in order to allow you the opportunity to get into the courses which are filled to capacity. But the best way to avoid this problem is to register the first day of registration.
5. Can I work only in the summer semesters?
No. In order to get the most fulfilling Co-op experience, students do a work term in each of the semesters: one in summer, one in fall and one in winter. Different fields have different peak periods, and you would want to take advantage of what each time of the year has to offer.
6. Do I have to take summer courses?
Yes. If you are not scheduled for a work term, then you must be a full time student even in summer, taking 2 courses in the first summer session and 2 courses in the second summer session.
7. What should I do if I do not have a job for my work term?
Most of our students find placements for their work term. In rare instances where they do not, these students do an academic term instead, and the Administrative Assistant adjusts their schedule accordingly. Please keep in mind that employers take your grades into consideration, especially when students with similar work experience apply for the same job. It is therefore in your best interest to keep your GPA above the required minimum.
8. Are there any guidelines for writing Work Term Reports?
Yes. Detailed guidelines are provided in the Co-op Handbook. However, guidelines may differ among programs. In general, a Work Term Report should illustrate the knowledge and experience you acquired during the work term. A well-written report will exhibit critical analysis, effective organization and clarity . Writing this report is an excellent opportunity to practice report presentation, reasoning and evaluation . Examples of outstanding work term reports are available at the Institute for Co-operative Education. Please contact the receptionist.
Work Term Reports are evaluated by faculty and may also be used by the employers. Satisfactory Work Term Reports are a pre-requisite for remaining in and graduating from the Co-operative Education program.
9. For questions concerning my career development whom should I contact?
Your Academic Director.
10. For questions about the Work Term, whom should I contact?
Contact your Coordinator at the Institute for Co-operative Education.
11. For questions about my courses, registration or work/study schedules whom should I contact?
Please contact the Administrative Assistant.
12. How do I find a job?
Each member of the Institute of Cooperative Education (ICE) is actively involved in marketing our Co-op programs and is continuously developing new job opportunities. Students are encouraged to seek or create their own jobs and take a pro-active approach to their job search, rather than only waiting for jobs to be posted. Students are required to attend professional development seminars with an emphasis on helping students learn job search and career planning skills before they start their job search.
13. Does the Institute guarantee a job for each student?
No. The Institute does not guarantee each student a job, since the purpose of the job competition is not to place students in companies, but rather to provide job opportunities for students in the form of posted positions. Whether or not a position becomes filled depends on how well students communicate their qualifications to potential employers and on how active they are in their job search process.
Where are job descriptions and interview schedules posted? Job descriptions are posted on the database created especially for Co-op students.
14. Will my grades be sent to employers?
A package, including your resume, cover letter, and grades, is sent to employers to allow them to select candidates to interview.
15. After forwarding my resume, what happens if I do not get many interviews?
If you are not invited to many interviews, you should meet with a member of your Co-op Coordinating Team as soon as possible. An attempt will be made to determine why you have not been selected and if possible, you will be offered assistance. Remember, the more jobs you apply for, the greater the chances are that you will be interviewed and receive a job offer.
16. Why is there a CWTB/CWTG notation on my transcript?
CWTB 100, 200, 300 are your Work Terms, while CWTB 101, 201, 301 are Reflective Learning Seminars you must attend at the beginning of the semester following the completion of your work term.
