Shortly after you begin your work term you will be instructed to complete an online form in Symplicity outlining your Learning Objectives. By setting learning goals and objectives for your work term, you can more easily measure your on-the-job progress towards achieving them.

You will be required to meet with your supervisor before completing the form to discuss your objectives and adapt them as required following your meeting. By doing so, s/he will have an idea of your expectations for that semester and will have the opportunity to outline their expectations of you for the semester.

When your Coordinator conducts your Co-op site visit, you will discuss the contents of your Learning Objectives and your progress.  

Goal-Setting to Maximize Learning  

We are interested in helping you as much as possible with your practical education and learning while you are in the 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 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 Guidelines will be reviewed. It's also your opportunity to ask any questions that you may have.  

When does my 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 SIAT Co-op, the visits are spread over several weeks so that the coordinator 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.  

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 Midterm Check form which will be e-mailed to you prior to your visit. 
• 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 SIAT but for other departments as well.

Students are expected to write a report for every 4 month work term, except when special circumstances permit one report for an 8 month work term.  

Research suggests that 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 commitment to the Co-operative Education program, you are required to submit a work report and the supervisor's evaluation form for each four-month term.  

Download the Supervisor Evaluation and Work Report Guidelines from the Forms page 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 about this.  

Deadlines

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