Site visits are a critical part of your work term experience. Your coordinator will set up a meeting to meet with you and your supervisor at your work site. Your progress, performance, learning objectives, future goals, and work project requirements will be reviewed. It's also your opportunity to ask any questions that you may have.See below for more detailed information regarding the site visit.
When does the site visit happen?
You will be contacted by a coordinator to arrange a meeting sometime during weeks 6-12. With the number of students in Kinesiology 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 students prepare?
Each site visit is based on your individual circumstances but there are things you could prepare in advance. Here are a few suggestions:
Refer to your Learning Objectives and compare your progress to your original objectives.
- 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.
- Think about what you might do for a work project.
What do students gain from a 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. It's also 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 a 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 Biomedical Physiology & Kinesiology but for other departments as well.
As part of your commitment to the Co-operative Education Program, you are required to submit a Work Project. Please read the following information carefully, and contact the SFU Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology Co-op Education Program if you need clarification or have questions.
Please note that you are also required to submit the following forms to the Kinesiology Co-op Program (forms available here):
- Supervisor Evaluation
- Supervisor Evaluation of the Work Project (optional - see the Employer Involvement section at the bottom of this page)
- Coordinator Evaluation of the Work Project
1) Deadline
The deadline for handing in the work project and evaluation to the BPK Co-op Office is the 15th of the last month of each work semester. (April 15, Aug. 15, Dec. 15)
Drop it off at K9620 or mail it to the BPK Co-op Department.
Missing the deadline will give you a "DE" grade for the Co-op practicum until we receive the required work report and evaluation from you.
Failing to hand in the work project and evaluation will result in the "DE" grade being changed to an "F" grade for the Co-op practicum.
2) Purpose
Research has clearly indicated that it is 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.
Your work project should provide the Co-op program with a good understanding of your Learning Objectives for the work term, and the progress you have achieved during the practicum. Concerns you might have encountered should also be identified. The work project can be used as a portfolio piece for your future use, and also as a tool to help you update your resume, create cover letters, and answer behaviour-based interview questions.
3) Content
Your work project should provide the following types of information:
- Work Environment: Discuss the industry, the organization's structure and atmosphere, the company's major products and services for your role.
- Work Activities: Highlight your new experiences, new skills, new responsibilities, and new things you were exposed to. This does not have to be a traditional written report – you are encouraged to include presentation(s), videos, articles or other projects you completed during your Co-op Practicum. This is a great way to incorporate work you may have done for your employer, while providing more than just a simple description. If you do not have special projects that can be included, be sure to outline your activities clearly. And be creative!
- Personal Perspectives & Learning: What were your learning objectives for this term, and did you meet them? What skills were learned or improved upon? What technical knowledge did you learn? What knowledge did you gain about your career path, or did this impact your academic plans? What SFU courses prepared or assisted you in this position? Give your subjective comments on the value you have received from this work practicum, and what you would want others to know about your experience.
** Keep in mind that this is not just an assignment to complete for Co-op! This is a product that you can use as a portfolio piece. There is flexibility about the way you present the Work Project, as we want it to be something that reflects your learning and career goals. So create something that you will be proud of, and that best showcases your experience!
If you are completing 2 consecutive practicums (i.e. 8 months) with the same employer, you do not have to complete part one again for the second practicum unless there are significant changes. You are, however, still required to complete part 2 and 3.
4) Format
The Work Project is expected to be professionally presented in a clear cover duotang, folder, or other type of portfolio. If you are incorporating articles, brochures, videos, or other mediums, please hand them in as a complete project that is professionally presented. Please include a cover letter that provides the company name, your name, your job title, practicum number, the semester of your work term. Images, colour, and other visuals can also contribute to the impact and professionalism of your project.
** This is your Work Project! Be sure it is a product you are proud of, and would be willing to bring to future interviews or use to promote yourself to other employers. If you want to learn about how to develop a professional portfolio, go to the Online Learning Community article here.
5) Employer Involvement
Employers are not required to evaluate the project. They may appreciate the opportunity to view your project, however, you are responsible for handing it in by the due date.
If you want to attach any employer's documents to your work project, you need to receive clear permission from the employer. You should also make sure that you are not breaching employer confidentiality requirements.
Some employers may have advice or suggestions for your work project but some employers may not be interested in your work project at all.
6) Feedback
Feedback for each work project will be provided by the BPK Co-op Program upon request. Individual concerns raised in the project will be responded to and we will be happy to discuss your work project content if requested.
If you have questions, please contact the SFU Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology Co-op Education Program.
