The Co-op Process for Students, Simplified

Posted on Tuesday, May 23rd, 2017

You already know that co-op is massively beneficial to students. You get practical career experience, professional development, a network of contacts, and a big increase in your chances of getting hired right out of school.

You also know that Algonquin College has over 30 programs with co-op work terms. But what you may not know is what the co-op process is.

Today, we are going to go step-by-step through the full co-op process, from applying to completing, so you know exactly what to expect.

As always, if you have any questions, contact the co-op department and we’ll help you out.

Applying

Once you’re accepted into a program with a co-op optional or mandatory work term, the co-op process starts right away. Early in your program, a portal will open on ACSIS that will allow you to apply to co-op. This portal is open for one week only, so get to it right away!

Once you’re accepted, you’ll be able to see the co-op fees that are due.

Preparing for Your Work Term

Blackboard Modules

Once you’re accepted into co-op, you will get access to a whole new section of Blackboard called Coop1000. This is home to your 9 Co-op Preparation Modules.

These modules must be completed throughout your preparation, job search, and work-term semesters. You’ll look at identifying and communicating your strengths, how to job hunt and network, the expectations for your co-op term, and much more.

These modules are there to help you excel at not just co-op but all your future career endeavours. You’ll start to build an awesome resume and draft out some cover letters that will catch employers’ eyes.

The Co-op Department

During this preparation time, you will also be able to meet with your co-op consultant in the Cooperative Education Department in E345.

Each consultant deals with a particular list of co-op programs, and is therefore familiar with the kind of work that you do. They can help you with your resume, cover letter, and interview skills.

Your co-op consultant will be your first point of contact for any questions or concerns that you may have during your co-op experience, from job hunting to applying to working.

The co-op department will also hold workshops on all kinds of co-op and job skills, and job fairs to help you find a position. You can register for these super helpful events on HireAC. Log in, choose ‘Co-op’ from the left-hand menu, and select ‘Events and Workshops’ to see what’s upcoming.

Finding a Co-op Position

Once you have completed the preparation modules, you will start applying for jobs. By this point, your cover letters (a different one for each job you apply to!) and resumes should be ready to go.

HireAC

One way to find jobs is to apply through HireAC. Be sure to select the ‘Co-op’ option on the left-side menu, and you’ll see all the positions open to your program. Check HireAC every day during this period—new jobs are posted all the time, and you don’t want to miss out on a great opportunity.

If you land an interview through HireAC, everything will be booked through the system and you’ll need to confirm. You’ll receive updates on that as it happens, so that’s yet another reason to be sure that you check your emails and HireAC every day.

Search on Your Own

It’s also important that you search for jobs outside of HireAC. Some employers prefer that you contact them yourself, and not through the College. This might mean cold-calling or checking job boards to find open co-op positions. It could also mean approaching companies to see if they’d be interested in hiring co-op students.

Be brave! Make a list of 10 companies that you would love to work for, and start reaching out. Remember, co-op can lead to permanent full-time employment after graduation, so think ahead and target your dream companies. If you need any help with this, get in touch with your consultant!

Interviews

When you get a call for an interview, it’s time to start practicing. Depending on how you found the company, your interview may be held at the organization or at the Co-op Department in E345.

We have plenty of tips to help you get ready for your interviews. We also schedule mock interviews on HireAC under that Events and Workshops tab, so make sure you check those out. Or get in touch with your consultant for one-on-one help!

Starting Your Work-Term

You got the job! Congratulations!

Right away, the co-op department needs a copy of your letter of offer from the employer to enter into our system. During your first few days, you’ll also need to enter your workplace and your supervisor’s contact information into HireAC.

You will also create a learning plan with your supervisor that outlines what you expect to learn in your position. Detailed information about this can be found on HireAC.

If you’re feeling a little nervous during your first week, don’t worry. That’s totally normal. You’ll soon get more comfortable and start to see how you can get the most out of your co-op experience.

Throughout your Work Term

During your work term, you are going to learn a lot. You’ll be expected to complete some assignments on HireAC during the term, and submit your final work-term report to Blackboard. Halfway through the term, your Work Term Progress report will the expected. At the end of the term, your Work Term Report is due. The specifics for these assignments are on Blackboard.

You’ll also be getting familiar with a workplace environment for maybe the first time. We have lots of different resources on the blog to help you out with this, including:

At any point, if you have questions or concerns, get in touch with the co-op department. They’re here to help you out.

Co-op is a unique and exciting experience that will further your education, benefit your career, and help you as a person grow and learn. Through the Algonquin College Co-op Department, you’ll have a chance to work with some of the biggest companies in Ottawa and beyond.

If you are interested in taking a co-op program at Algonquin College, or if you’re an employer looking to hire an Algonquin co-op student, get in touch! Connect with us at coop@algonquincollege.com or call the office at 613-727-4723 Ext.7623.


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