Working Students - SFU Co-operative Education [Co-op]

You’ve applied to jobs, been to interviews, had a co-op job offer and have accepted it. Great. But now what? Are you unsure of what things will be like at the job? Do you know what is expected of you? What do you expect from the position?

When starting a new job it’s important to remember that the people you work for will be your references for future co-ops and full-time employment later on. Treat co-workers and people at every level in the office with the same courtesy and respect that you yourself would like to be treated.

Furthermore, as an ambassador for SFU at the workplace, you aren’t operating as a “free agent” but rather, your behaviour and attitude on the job will affect the reputation of SFU, the faculty of Business and Business Co-op and may impact on opportunities for future co-op students.

Keep in mind that co-op is part of your education–an educational tool. Activities that relate to feedback and reflection are a critical part of your personal and professional development. Your Co-op Coordinator is available to you as a guide and to support your learning throughout the work term so talk to them if you have questions, concerns or any uncertainties.

1. Complete Bridging Online II

If you have not completed Bridging Online II, please register and complete before you begin your co-op practicum.

2. Develop Learning Objectives

Before starting your work term, complete the Learning Objectives Form on Symplicity. You will have the opportunity to discuss your planned goals and objectives with your co-op coordinator half way through the term during your site visit. We encourage you to share your learning objectives with your supervisor during your first week of work so they understand your expectations of the work ter. Your objectives should be realistic and account for the type of a position you have secured (junior entry level or more senior with significant responsibility) plus the work environment you will be joining (ie. small company with everyone pitching in to complete tasks).

Goal Setting to Maximize Learning Objectives

We are interested in helping you as much as possible with your practical education and learning while you are in the Business Co-op Education Program. By setting learning goals and objectives for your Co-op work terms, you can more easily measure your on-the-job progress towards achieving them.

Prior to your practicum, consider what skills you would like to acquire/improve upon.
What technical skills and knowledge do you hope to gain?
Consider what career-path/industry knowledge you would like to gain.
How do you hope to acquire/improve these skills?

Goal setting will help you articulate your goals, track them, and measure your learning during each practicum. This will also give you a better sense of controlling your own career development, and assist you in identifying learning opportunities.

Site Visits

Site visits are a critical part of your work term experience. Your coordinator will set up a time and date to meet with you and your supervisor at your work site. Your progress, performance, learning objectives, future goals, and work report requirements will be reviewed. It's also your opportunity to ask any questions that you may have.

When does my site visit happen?

You are contacted by a coordinator to arrange a meeting sometime during weeks 6-12. With the number of students in Business Co-op, the visits are spread over several weeks so that coordinators can also be on campus to help the students who are applying for jobs. If you are on an out-of town placement you may get a visit from a coordinator from a different discipline (e.g. Biology) who is doing other visits in the area.

If a visit is not possible, then your coordinator will conduct the site visit by telephone or e-mail.

If any concerns or problems arise during your work term, contact your coordinator immediately. Do not wait until the site visit.

How do I prepare for it?

Each site visit is based on your individual circumstances but there are things you could prepare in advance. Here are a few suggestions:

Review your Learning Objectives and compare your progress to your original objectives.
Complete the “Mid-term Check-up” form, which can be found on the Forms page.
Think about what else you've accomplished so far, both in terms of hard and soft skills.

Note any questions you have about your work term and be prepared to discuss any problems you're having.

What do I gain from the site visit?

Site visits provide you with an opportunity to discuss what you do and how you like it. It's also a chance to discuss how to handle certain problems, your future academic and career plans, and to see how to expand your current experience. In addition, it’s an important time to get some feedback from your employer or supervisor, and to discuss whether or not you can stay on for a second term.

What does a coordinator gain from the site visit?

The coordinator gets a chance to see how you are doing at the work site and to get to know you in a professional environment. They are also there to help you if you have any questions or concerns.

Coordinators take turns visiting work sites so that they are each familiar with the different locations and circumstances that the students might find themselves in. If your coordinator is new to a place, try to arrange a brief tour (some places are very interesting!).

After meeting with you, the coordinator may have arranged secondary meetings with managers in the company to help promote SFU Co-op and to generate more jobs, not only for Business but for other departments as well.

Work Report & Evaluations

Research suggests it is very helpful for co-op students to pause and reflect at the end of each work practicum on what has been learned and accomplished before moving on to the next work practicum or study semester. This will help you re-evaluate your skills, strengths and allow you to acknowledge areas for improvement. It will also help other students to research the company for future job opportunities.

As part of your practicum requirements, you are required to submit a work report and the supervisor’s evaluation form for each four-month term. These documents will form the basis of a pass or fail grade for the semester.

Download the Work Term Report Guidelines for all of the information you should require.

NOTE: Work Report/Project may be viewed by others. Please advise your Co-op Coordinator if you have any concerns or questions.

Deadlines

The deadline dates for submitting work term reports and accompanying documents are:

Spring: April 15 Summer: August 15 Fall: December 15