Navigating Your Work Term Experience

Your Co-op work term is a pivotal opportunity to apply classroom learning in a professional setting, build valuable skills, and expand your network. This page provides key resources and guidance to help you make the most of your Co-op experience. Explore how to navigate expectations, enhance your professional development, and succeed in your work term.

Components of your Work Term

1. Receive a Job Offer

Once you are selected as the successful candidate for a position, contact the Co-op Office either before or after signing the contract to proceed with the next steps.

2. Connect with Co-op Office

Submit Signed Offer Letter: Send your signed offer letter to the Co-op Office.
Receive Confirmation: Wait for confirmation from the Co-op Office.
Course Registration: The Co-op course will be registered as an academic non-credit course and will appear on both your academic and MyExperience transcripts.

Co-op Office

3. Attend Send Off

If this is your first Co-op Work Term course, attend the mandatory Send Off session before starting your work placement. You will receive an email with scheduling information before your Co-op Work Term begins. This session will prepare you for employee and Co-op standards, workplace expectations, professional conduct, payment schedules, and navigating your Co-op experience.

You will be assigned a Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Instructor who will assess your work placement and course. They will contact you after the university's add/drop deadlines.

Your WIL Instructor will grade your assignments, conduct monitor visits, and support your personal and professional development throughout the course.

4. Work Term Student Status

While in your work term, you will maintain your full-time student status with financial loans, Students Union and Health Plan, Universal Bus Pass (UPass), and registration privileges.

Important Reminders:

Opt-Out Responsibilities: You must opt out of Health Benefits or the UPass before the ULSU's opt-out deadlines if you do not wish to use these services.
Scholarships and Awards: If you have questions or concerns about scholarships or awards, contact the Scholarships & Student Finance Office for assistance.
Course Enrollment During Co-op: You may be permitted to take one course in addition to your work term, but you must contact the Co-op Office before the semester starts to submit a request. This decision is made on a case-by-case basis, considering your past GPA, work/life balance, and program planning. Keep in mind that your primary focus should be on your co-op work term, as it is full-time and includes academic assignments.

5. Co-op Work Term Curriculum

Co-op work terms are graded on a pass/fail basis. To successfully complete each work term or semester, the following requirements must be met:

Monthly Assignments: Complete three monthly assignments or reports as specified by your Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Instructor.
Monitor Visit: Participate in a monitor visit involving your WIL Instructor, yourself, and your co-op supervisor to discuss progress and address any concerns.
Final Project: Submit a final project, which can be either a completed presentation or participation in a focus group.

Tip: Establish and maintain good communication with your WIL Instructor and the co-op office. They can provide valuable assistance and guidance in navigating any challenges or concerns that arise during your co-op semester.

6. Co-op Designation

The Co-op designation signifies that students have completed the required number of months of discipline-related work experience, showcasing their ability to apply theory to practice and their professional development. Each program and student type are below. This designation indicates to employers that graduates are ready for the workforce and life.

Student Type	Work Terms Required for Designation	Maximum Work Terms
Domestic Undergrad	3 (12 months)	6 (24 months)
International Undergrad	3 (12 months)	3 (12 months)
Domestic Grad	2 (8 months)	4 (16 months)
International Grad	2 (8 months)	2 (8 months)

Combined Degree
(e.g., BEd/BSc, BEd/BMgt, BFA/BMgt)

For combined degree students, the designation is applied to the degree with the most work terms.
Domestic students can receive the Co-op designation on both degrees by completing at least 2 work terms per degree program.

Course Structure

Co-op Sequence

Cost/Fees

Co-op Designation

What is a Work Term?

A work term is a four-month period of full-time paid employment in a position relating to an area within a major. Each work term is treated as a non-credited, non-academic course graded on a pass/fail basis. When enrolled in a work term, you maintain full-time student status by enrolling in one of the following courses: Work Experience I Work Experience II, Work Experience III, Work Experience IV, Work Experience V or Work Experience VI. A co-op work term position ensures a meaningful experience that complements your education and broadens your skills. The primary objective is to provide you with a planned, supervised work experience that will enhance your academic learning and enhance employment marketability upon graduation.

Can I transfer a Co-op term from another institution?

You may apply to the Co-op Office to receive transfer credit for one (1) co-operative education course completed in an approved co-op program at another Canadian post-secondary institution. Transfer credit for a previous Co-op must be approved by the Co-operative Education Director at the time of application to the program.

Do I need to register a Co-op work term?

Co-op Work Terms are registered through the Co-op Office. Contact us to register your work term and for more information about your Co-op work term.

What is a typical salary?

It is a general convention of co-operative education that salaries paid to Co-op students vary by type of assignment, economic sector and sub-sector, geographical location, how many courses the student has completed towards his/her degree and whether or not the student has completed previous co-operative education work terms. Students in 2017 earned between $2400 and $5400 per month. However, it is the experience, not the wage, which ultimately provides for a successful Co-op term.

When do work terms take place?

There are three work term periods: fall (Sept.-Dec.), spring (Jan.-April), and summer (May-Aug.). Hiring for these generally takes place one to four months in advance. The spring (Jan.-April) recruiting cycle is for work terms starting in May, the summer (May-Aug.) recruiting cycle is for work terms starting in September, and the fall (Sept.-Dec.) recruiting cycle is for work terms starting in January.

What is the typical employment period?

A period of employment may be 4, 8, 12, or in rare cases, 16 months in duration. Usually, periods of employment alternate with academic semesters, but this may not be the case when an employer prefers to link several work terms into a single extended period of employment. Many employers prefer 8-month periods of employment (two back-to-back 4-month work terms). This preference for 8-month terms is because of a greater return on investment for the employer and more advanced learning for the student.

Can my summer job/part time job/full-job be used for Co-op?

A full-time job can be used as Co-op provided it is related to your degree and will provide learning opportunities. A Co-op Coordinator will make this determination. Contact us if you would like to use an upcoming or current full time job as a Co-op work term. This type of Co-op is called self-initiated Co-op.

Why would I want to do a self-initiated Co-op?

The advantages of doing a Self Initiated Co-op include, but are not limited to:

Completing your first work term. Subsequent work terms often pay more, and are easier to secure once the first one is completed.
First step toward getting your Co-operative Education Designation on your degree
Personalized job search assistance. If you have special requests for specific locations and/or companies one of our Coordinators will work with you and provide you with assistance, tools and support.

If I am on a Co-op work term away from Lethbridge can I take an evening course at a local university?

Yes, If your Co-op position is in Lethbridge or Calgary you can take one course in addition to Co-op. However, you must get special permission from the Co-op Coordinator and your work supervisor to register in more than one class in addition to Co-op. Some positions require out-of-town travel, training or overtime which would make attendance at courses difficult.

You should contact your Academic Advising office to ensure the course fits into your program and that you will receive transfer credit. You may be required to complete a Visiting Student Authorization form.

Are International Co-op placements available?

Yes! Watch the Co-op job board for these opportunities or contact us for more information.