During the work term, Co-op staff will be checking in periodically and will visit or contact the student at least once, through a site visit. A work report is also required from all students at the end of the term. Details below.
Each student is contacted in an attempt to coordinate a site visit at the employer's workplace.
The purpose of the visit is to:
- Assess the student's performance
- Ensure that both student and employer expectations are being met
- Address issues and concerns raised by the student and/or employer
- Discuss the student's work term report
- Solidify the three-way relationship between the student, the employer and Simon Fraser University and maintain ongoing contact with the employer.
Typical questions during a site visit may include:
- What are the student's main duties, responsibilities, and projects?
- Is the student meeting your expectations?
- Does s/he have the skills you require for the position?
- Has s/he fit in with the work environment?
- Does the student indicate interest and enthusiasm for the job?
- Does s/he manage their time and prioritize their workload effectively?
- What areas do you feel the student should improve?
- Are you confident in the student's ability to follow your instructions and directions?
- Have you communicated your satisfaction/dissatisfaction to the student?
- Is there the potential to offer this student an extension on their work term to eight months, or are you planning to post a position for another student for the next work term?
- If you have any questions or comments regarding site visits, please contact a Co-op coordinator.
In order to fulfill the educational requirements of co-op, students must complete a work report for each of their co-op work terms. We encourage students to discuss work report ideas with their supervisor since the project can take many forms. During the site visit, a coordinator also discusses the work report with the student. Due to issues regarding confidentiality or proprietary information with work reports, we ask that all supervisors complete a Project Release and Evaluation Form.
By completing this form you are giving the student authorization to submit their reports to us. If you feel the report contains confidential information you may check the "Confidential" box on this form and then complete the brief evaluation. Since confidential reports do not have to be submitted to the Co-op office your evaluation will be used for grading purposes.
Students are responsible for reading the Work Report Guidelines. If you have any questions or comments about the work report, please contact the co-op office.
