An overview of co-operative education

Co-operative education, or co-op, is common in Canadian post-secondary institutions. With almost all post-secondary schools in Canada having some sort of co-op program available, it’s clear that there’s much value in this style of learning. Co-op provides students with work terms between their studies, allowing them to gain professional experience while still in school. However, there’s much more to it than that.   

Gabrielle Smith is the senior manager of Co-op Student Experience at the University of Waterloo in Ontario. Having seen numerous students go through co-op programs, Smith has had many opportunities to reflect on the mechanics of the co-op process while connecting with students to improve the school’s programs. She calls co-op a “model of work-integrated learning,” which means “applying your learning from the classroom into the workplace, and then bringing your workplace experience back to the classroom.” In other words, co-op is an exchange that benefits both the student and business from their collaboration. 

Before starting post-secondary school, students may have apprehensions or expectations about what co-op will be like. According to Smith, some students might be worried about not having enough to contribute during their work placements. However, she firmly believes that most students are already adequately equipped to contribute to the businesses they end up in. Previous volunteer or work experience, post-secondary academic terms,  and lessons learned in high school are valuable assets students bring to a co-op placement. For Smith, students should be confident they have what it takes to contribute to their position.

Smith also mentions that one common expectation students have of co-op is that it’s just about earning money. However, she says that co-op has the potential to benefit students more than just financially. “There’s so much more benefit of the learning that happens [during co-op],” Smith says. “The connections, the networking that happens through co-op work terms, and the different paths those might take you down.”   

One of the main benefits of co-op is that students can get a feel for the working world, or as Smith puts it, “test drive work experiences” in a “fairly safe space.” By working multiple co-op terms, students come to learn what they do and do not enjoy about certain aspects of work. While this includes the type of work itself, it also includes other factors such as management style and work environment. Co-op allows students to learn more about themselves and how they operate, preparing them to work more effectively after they graduate.  

Another significant benefit is the opportunity to network. While in their placements, students can connect with coworkers inside and outside their team, allowing students to learn more from them and leave a good impression. These connections may end up being useful once the student graduates. The student already has one foot in the door, so their job search doesn’t have to start from scratch.     

Despite all these benefits, there are some things students might want to consider when determining if co-op is right for them. For example, co-op is a time commitment. At the University of Waterloo, a co-op program delays the completion of your undergraduate degree by one year.  

If you’re already set on the career path you want to take, the extra time spent working a placement may not seem worth it. Students also risk ending up in a placement they don’t enjoy. Despite these downsides, Smith still recommends giving co-op a shot. For her, the benefits of learning more about yourself and gaining valuable networking opportunities outweigh the potential risks associated with co-op, placing students at an advantage once the program is complete. 

Overall, co-op allows students to try new things in a relatively controlled environment. Students can experience different industries, work away from home or even internationally, and meet people they might not encounter otherwise. As Smith says, “Co-op is for anyone and everyone.” Continue to research these programs in different schools to see if co-op might be the right choice for you.