…Job hunting that is!
You’ve made it to uWaterloo – a huge feat, and one you should be proud of! By now you’ve begun Orientation Week, an exciting and unforgettable start to your undergraduate studies. Although this week is full of fun and games, things will simmer down as soon as classes are underway. In addition to being serious about your school work, start giving some considerable thought to the upcoming co-op process you’ll be a part of.
Waterloo’s Co-operative Education program is the largest in the world, with almost 5,000 students participating each term. Since co-op is mandatory for the Engineering program, Engineering students make up a large portion of this number. That being said, the competition is tough, so go into the co-op process being aware of what to expect, and prepared for what it will take to land a job.
Be prepared!
In your first year classes, you’ll start to learn co-op fundamentals, such as how to apply for jobs, how the interview process works, and how to develop an effective résumé. It is important for you to realize that any experience you’ve had, whether it be paid or volunteer, is beneficial to include in your résumé, even if it is not directly related to what you are studying or the job(s) you are applying for. If you don’t have any previous experience, use your first term at school to get involved and volunteer.
Staff from the Centre for Career Action can provide you with a résumé critique, and can also meet with you to practice one-on-one interviews. They also host many workshops that will help you learn about a variety of topics, such as business etiquette and professionalism. Employers also hold many information sessions, and these are useful to attend as they serve as a great networking opportunity (Check out careeraction.uwaterloo.ca for more information).
Securing a job
Many students are concerned about their chances of securing a job due to the economic recession. Typically, it takes first year Engineering students a longer time to find employment for their first work terms. You might be looking for work even after the work term has begun. Fear not, Engineering students! Approximately 85-95% of first year Engineering students find employment for their first work term before the employment deadline. However, Co-operative Education cannot guarantee that you will find employment. If you don’t find a job on our job posting platform you can secure your own job – just make sure to confirm it with your co-op advisor.
The life of a co-op student is often one of transition. You may land a co-op job that requires you to move to a different city or town. When this occurs, you’ll be arranging your own housing and transportation. There are several resources available to help you find accommodation in unfamiliar locations, such as the Off-Campus Housing office’s website at www.och.uwaterloo.ca.
Resources and support
For more specific and detailed information about co-op, be sure to check the Co-op Student Manual (www.cecs.uwaterloo.ca/manual). Here you will find information about ranking jobs, work reports, and much more. As always, staff in Co-operative Education and the Centre for Career Action are more than happy to help you. Stop by the Information Centre in the Tatham Centre if you have any questions or need assistance.
Happy job hunting!
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