You should apply to Co-op 2-3 semesters before your intended first work term. This will ideally be when you have between 30 and 80 credits. If you've transferred from another college or university, you should apply as soon as possible.

Communication Co-op provides students the opportunity to work in a variety of areas including, but not limited to: internal/external communications, digital marketing, event planning, technical writing, videography, writer/editor, media relations, marketing communications, research, graphic design, community engagement, project coordination. For a more detailed sampling of what the various jobs involve visit our Sample Jobs page.

Communication Co-op students are needed across all industries including health care, tech, education, and social services, and across all sectors from non-profit to private to government. Some of our regular Co-op employers include: Fraser Health, SAP, CBC Radio, Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association, Westcoast Family Centres, Transport Canada, SFU, Safe Software, and FleishmanHillard HighRoad.

There are many reasons to join Communication Co-op including:

• Develop strong job search skills related to your resume, cover letters, and interviews;
• Receive 1-1 coaching from Co-op staff during your job search and work terms;
• Gain access to hundreds of jobs and employers looking to hire students;
• Try out different types of work, organizations, industries;
• Earn competitive wages while building your resume;
• Graduate with a year of career-relevant experience;
• Build your professional network with industry employers;
• Feel confident in your ability to secure jobs after graduation;
• Pursue opportunities in other cities in Canada and countries around the world

Take initiative to build your experience and skills in writing, social media, graphic design, event planning and other areas you're interested in as soon as you apply into the program or even before you apply. In order to develop skills and experience that can make you competitive: get involved in SFU clubs, volunteer or work part-time, write for the Peak or CMNSU, develop your own creative video, design or social media projects, or complete online tutorials on relevant software or web skills to expand your technical skillset.

The CGPA requirement for Communication Co-op is 2.7 or higher. If your CGPA is lower than 2.7, contact the Communication Co-op staff to discuss your unique situation for possible exception as early as possible. It is best to connect with us early rather than waiting to meet the CGPA requirements and facing the possibility of it being too late to join Co-op.

If you have more than 80 units, you will need to complete a Semester Planner to see if you have space to complete your 3 co-op terms, alternating with your academic semesters and ensuring your last semester before graduation is an academic term. Once you've done so, connect with the Communication Co-op staff to discuss your situation.

Students must complete 3 work terms throughout their undergraduate degree to obtain their Co-op designation. Completing more than 3 work terms is an option that can be discussed with Communication Co-op staff. Masters, second degree, and post-baccalaureate diploma students typically complete 1 or 2 work terms, though please connect with Communication Co-op staff if you fit into one of these student categories.

Yes. International students must obtain a Co-op work permit (this is different from an off-campus work permit). After applying into Co-op, you will receive instructions from the Communication Co-op office in order to apply for your Co-op work permit.

Once you have accepted a Co-op job offer, we will register you in the appropriate Co-op Practicum course. There is a Co-op practicum tuition fee + upass and student activity fees which will be added to your student account. Specific student fees are available on the Student Services Fees & Tuition page. Co-op tuition is generally due on the 7th week of classes.

We do not recommend taking a course during your first work term. In future Co-op terms, if you have prior experience with working and taking classes, we may permit you to take one course with your Co-op term, provided it does not interfere with the hours of your work or you have the employer’s permission to adjust your schedule. When on a Co-op work term, your priority must be to the employer.

No, your last semester at SFU needs to be an academic term, not a co-op term.

After you apply, you will receive an email from the Communication Co-op office providing instructions on your next steps. Within the semester you apply, you will need to complete the CMNS Co-op New Student Orientation (1-week Canvas course), and resume, cover letter and interview workshops to prepare for your job search. International students will need to apply for a Co-op work permit. In the beginning of the following semester, you will have a one-on-one Seeking Evaluation to review your job search documents with a Co-op Coordinator/Advisor. Once complete, you will apply to Co-op jobs through myExperience in efforts to secure a Co-op placement. This will be your Co-op seeking term.

Co-op is an experiential learning program that allows you to take what you learn in the classroom, apply it to the real world and to incorporate what you learn in your co-op work term into your studies. You alternate between a study and a work semester throughout your degree, to complete at least three work terms. You must demonstrate the intention of completing three work terms.

CMNS 110 and CMNS 130 and 200-level course should be completed or in progress when you apply to Co-op.

Making Co-op applications part of your regular schedule and setting aside time on a daily or weekly basis will help you reach your goals of securing a Co-op. This can take 3-10 hours a week and can be compared to taking another course.

We recommend that students applying for their first co-op term apply to 2-3 jobs per week or 25-30 positions throughout the term, and senior students actively apply to jobs throughout the term.

All Canadian Co-op work terms are paid minimum wage or above. The current average wage for Communication Co-op positions is $18 per hour, though you will see lower and higher wages depending on the position, organization and industry. When possible, the wage is included on each job posting. Large companies do not typically post their wage  but will usually have competitive wages. Compensation for International Co-op work terms varies depending on the norms of the country and organization.

Yes. Co-op positions are available throughout BC, across Canada and all over the world. Out of town postings with our regular Communication Co-op employers are usually posted early in the seeking term. To find out about international job postings in your country of choice, check out the International Co-op website and join the mailing list.

No. Co-op is a competitive program where students apply and compete for jobs. The more effort you put into the job search and job search preparation process, and the more positions you apply for, the more interviews you are likely to get. Likewise, the more interviews you do, the more likely you are to receive a job offer. Co-op staff are available to assist you in all stages of your Co-op work search, and special preparation for your job search is done through the Co-op workshops process, which helps you tailor your resume, cover letter and improve your interview skills. Aside from preparation, the more flexible students are with regard to the work experience they would like to gain and the locations they can work, the more likely they are to secure a position. See question, 'How can I be competitive for Communication Co-op jobs?' for more tips.

Yes. This is called a Student-Developed Work Term. In addition to applying for positions on myExperience, you are welcome to search for your own work term through familly, friends or other search methods. If you're interested in this option, please visit this web page for more inromation.

If you don’t get a placement in the first three months of the semester, don't panic. Many students are placed in the last month of the semester and even in the first month of the next semester. Participate in Lightning Round and register for classes as a backup plan when your enrollment date comes up. If you are still not placed, you can return to classes and let us know if you wish to seek for the following term. You do not have to redo any workshops or courses or reapply to co-op. 

Yes. Students are not limited to apply only to CMNS postings. We encourage students to view and apply to jobs in Arts, Business, SIAT, Health Sciences. Apply to any jobs you find interesting and are well-suited for.