The Tatham Centre for Co-operative Education and the Centre for Career Action, Canada’s largest building completely dedicated to co-operative education and career action
How co-op works
Co-op programs
- Most Waterloo programs are available in either co-op (alternating study and work terms) or regular (traditional September-April school years). Some programs are available only in co-op.
- To find out which programs are available in co-op, check the program pages on this site. The system of study (co-op or regular) is listed for each program.
- When you apply to Waterloo, if you'd like to be considered for a co-op program, select co-op on your Ontario Universities' Application Centre application form.
- At Waterloo, unlike at other universities, you're admitted directly to a co-op program. You don't have to compete for spots once you're here.
Your first work term
- The date your first work term starts depends on your program.
Your work/study sequence
- Once you begin your work terms, the order of your full-time study and full-time work terms also depends on your program. The study/work sequences for all programs are listed in the Undergraduate Calendar.
How you'll find jobs
- Once you've begun your studies at Waterloo, and prior to your first work term, you'll be required to take an online course called PD 1 (or equivalent for Engineering) . This non-graded course will provide you with the basic preparation you'll need for a successful co-op experience, including how to write a résumé, how to present yourself well at an interview, and what will be expected of you on the job.
- Waterloo's co-op program is similar to a true job-hunt process. You apply to jobs that interest you rather than being placed in a job - which means that you can choose where you apply to work.
- When it comes time to find a job, you'll take part in the co-op job process:
- Read the posted job openings and apply to the jobs that interest you.
- Take part in interviews with employers who select you based on your résumé and academic/co-op record.
- Many employers come to campus to hold interviews.
- The Tatham Centre, where Co-operative Education and the Centre for Career Action have their offices, also has lockers and change rooms so that you can look professional for your interviews.
- You rank the jobs that you interviewed for in order of preference, and you're also ranked by the employers who interviewed you.
- Our online ranking system will then attempt to match you with a job.
- If you're not matched, you continue the application and interview process until you find a job.
- You can also look for work on your own, but if you'd like to receive academic credit, you must have your job approved by your co-op advisor.
- Your co-op advisor can also help you with any questions you have about the co-op process.
More information
- Co-operative Education and the Centre for Career Action have prepared a Co-op Student Reference Manual, which provides detailed information about the whole co-op process.
- You'll also find more information on the Co-operative Education website for prospective students.
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