Co-operative Education and Career Success

Co-operative education is a formal program that integrates academic studies with work experience with employers. What that means is that students will have academic terms and work terms.

Co-op is a great opportunity to use your learning on the job and confirm if the career is the right fit for you. It’s also a great way to build your employer network.

At Georgian, we work within the CEWIL definition and guidelines of co-op:

• Each work situation is developed and/or approved by the Co-operative Educational institution as a suitable learning experience
• The student is engaged in productive work rather than merely observing
• The student receives remuneration for the work performed
• Student performance on the job is supervised and evaluated by the employer
• Total work experience is normally 50 per cent of the time spent in academic student – in no circumstances less than 30 per cent

Internship is an extended period of work experience that is an integral part of a program of postsecondary study. Students are employed in settings which provide work experience directly related to their academic programs and career objectives.

The idea behind co-op is to give students the opportunity to gain real-life work experience in their industry. We expect students to be treated like any other employee at the company. So yes, co-op work terms are paid. Students will typically start at $14.25 per hour (minimum wage), depending on the industry, the company, the location, and the qualifications of the student – there is no maximum wage limit.

Students are encouraged to consider far more than just the wage they will be earning. When applying to jobs, think about the type of company, the experience you’ll gain, your long-term career goals, and how you will get to and from work each day or where you’re going to live. All of these are factors when conducting a realistic job search.

Yes. Georgian College works with employers to create opportunities for Georgian students and graduates across the province, nationally and internationally. While we do post some jobs that are local to the Barrie Campus, you should be prepared to relocate for your co-op job, as employers can be located anywhere. While many of the opportunities we promote are local, some students find work in places like Barrie, Orillia, Midhurst, Innisfil, Muskoka, Midland, Borden, Newmarket, Bradford, Collingwood, Toronto, Mississauga, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Brampton, Guelph, Kitchener, Sudbury, North Bay, London or in other provinces or even in other countries for a work abroad experience. Some international students may choose to return home for a co-op work term.

No. No student is guaranteed a co-op job, but as long as you remain in good standing and are eligible for a co-op work term, you will have access to all the resources needed to be successful in a co-op program. Students need to actively engage in the process of finding work; students are not placed or matched with a company. Jobs are earned through a traditional job search, interview and selection process.

Georgian’s employer relations consultants work hard building and maintaining relationships with employers who hire co-ops, interns, graduates and students for a variety of types of work. We expect students to go to their co-op classes and use the services available to compete and interview for positions with employers that post with Georgian College. Students are also strongly encouraged to conduct independent job searches. Be sure to take advantage of the many services available to you through Co-operative Education and Career Success.

Georgian College works with thousands of employers to provide opportunities to thousands of students. You may end up working for a major corporation, a small business or you may even consider starting a company of your own as an entrepreneur. The possibilities are endless.

Students in a co-op program with more than one co-op work term and who have worked in their field of student may apply for a PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition) for one of their work terms. Your Consultant will provide you with the necessary forms. Students must demonstrate that the work is equivalent to the quality and depth of Georgian’s work experience, and reflects its learning outcomes. Please note that there is a fee for processing a PLAR. Completion of one work term is required.

Yes. For applicable programs, our team supports the facilitation of entrepreneurial co-op experiences (eCo-op).

Yes, all international students are required to have the appropriate work authorization in order to work in Canada. It is a good idea to apply for the co-op work permit at least six months before your co-op or internship work term. There is no additional fee for this work permit since co-op is a mandatory component of the program. Staff in Georgian’s International Centre can guide you through the process. The co-op work permit allows students to work co-op/internship jobs only and cannot be used for any other type of work. For further information, please visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website. You will also need to apply for a social insurance number (SIN) in order to legally work in Canada.

Everyone has to start somewhere! While some employers may prefer to hire candidates with experience, many employers realize that not everyone comes with industry-related experience. There are other ways to gain experience and build a resumé. Co-operative Education and Career Success staff can help you with your resumé and cover letters.

The international experience consultants are here to provide extra supports to international students in any job search related activity. These supports include:

• extra assistance in understanding employment in Canada
• understanding employer expectations
• Canadian resumés, cover letters and interviews
• one-to-one job search assistance
• specialized workshops
• personal coaching

All students in a co-op program will work very closely with the co-op consultant for their program area and will have access to our online system for co-op job postings and to our services in Co-operative Education and Career Success.

Students are expected to manage their time and commitments and ask for help. So be proactive and get connected – use the services and plan ahead!

The international experience consultants are located at the Barrie Campus. However, students at all campuses are welcome to book an appointment. Appointments can be booked on GeorgianConnects or by calling 705.722.1523 or toll free 1.877.722.1523.

Yes, international students in a postsecondary program are permitted to work on-campus or part-time off-campus up to 20 hours per week. Your study permit should allow you to work up to 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks, such as the winter and summer holidays or spring break.

To qualify, you must:

• have a valid study permit with work authorized documentation
• be enrolled at a designated learning institution at the postsecondary level
• be a full-time student
• be studying in an academic, vocational or professional training program that leads to a degree, diploma or certificate that is at least six months in duration

For additional information regarding off-campus work please visit Citizenship and Immigration Canada: off-campus work. Services are available through Co-operative Education and Career Success for students who are looking for part-time employment.

Before you arrive in Canada, here are some ways you can prepare for your co-op work term:

• Build a resumé and be open to making changes to it once you get here and start your job search.
• If you have previous work experience, consider contacting your employer(s) and asking them to write a reference letter for you. It should include information about the type of work you did in your position and how the employer felt about your performance. This letter should be typed on company letterhead and signed by a manager, supervisor or someone in a senior level role.
• You may also want to build a portfolio (a collection of achievements and job search-related things to demonstrate your career to a prospective employer). This may be a binder, folder or other package and contain things such as awards, certificates, copies of other diplomas, certificates, reference letters, examples of your work or things that you have created or achieved
• Another suggestion is to be prepared to obtain an Ontario driver’s licence. While it isn’t mandatory, employers will often request that students have a valid Ontario driver’s licence. Ontario operates under a graduated licensing system which lets new drivers get driving experience and skills gradually. The two-step licensing process takes at least 20 months to complete. For more information, visit the Ministry of Transportation

If you are an international student and have questions about co-op, internships, graduate work or simply employment in Canada, please email  Joanne Foxton or Nicole Cesaroni, International Experience Consultants, or contact Co-operative Education and Career Success.

Check out the survey results from Ontario’s Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology – obtain feedback from college students, graduates and their employers; future students can decide if college is the right choice and, if so, which program.

Not sure about your next career move? Our career assessment tool will help find the best fit for your personality type!