Co-operative Education and Internship Programs

Why hire a co-op or internship student?

• Screen potential employees before making long-term decisions
• Introduce future employees to your organization
• Get outstanding and cost-effective student assistance
• Invest in education by giving students practical work experience in a supportive environment

Students in Co-op /Internship Programs

• Have successfully met the academic criteria required by their Faculty
• Are enthusiastic, career-oriented and eager to bring a fresh perspective to real-life work situations
• Have completed at least two years of study
• Seek practical experience to compliment their education

Co-op/Internship Criteria

• Full-time (at least 35 hours per week, for 13 to 16 weeks per semester)
• On-the-job supervision and training provided
• Salary aligned with current market value
• Use the skills students gain in their program of study, and provides an opportunity to develop new skills
• Is approved by Career Services

The Difference Between Co-op and Internship

• Co-op students alternate periods of full-time work with their academic terms. Students are available in January, May and September for 4, 8 and sometimes 12-month terms
• Internship students spend twelve to sixteen consecutive months on a work term, between their third and fourth years of academic study

The Co-operative Education and Internship programs both integrate university study with relevant work experience.

Co-op and Internship Programs

Co-op Programs	Internship Programs
Arts Facutly Applied Chemistry Actuarial Science Ecology Business	Computer Science Engineering

Attracting Students to Your a co-op or internship positions

• Fee exempt job postings on JobLink our online job board

Work Term Recruiting Schedule

• Recruit students four months or more prior to the start date
• Students placed on an ongoing basis
• Start your recruitment activities as early as possible

Work Term Begins	Job Descriptions Advertised	Interview Dates
May	November to April	February to April
September	May to August	June to August
January	September to December	October to December

 

Employer Responsibilities

Beginning of the work term

• Provide an orientation for students and discuss objectives, time lines and performance expectations

During the work term

• Monitor student performance, provide on-going feedback, assist students where necessary on their work term report (submitted to faculty advisor)
• Participate in a work site visit from a university representative to assess the work term

End of the work term

• Complete a written performance assessment
• Discuss with the student before the assessment is sent to the university

Small Business Internship Program (SBIP)

• Sponsored by Industry Canada to improve The Small Business Internship Program
• Provides small and medium-sized businesses with financial support to hire a post secondary student intern
• Students hired  will assist in adoption of information and communications technologies to increase productivity and competitiveness
• For more information visit www.ic.gc.ca

For General Inquiries

email recruit [at] ucalgary [dot] ca