Creating a Successful Work Term
- Assign your student a supervisor who is able to meet with and mentor them on a regular basis.
- Your Co-op student has "learning objectives" for their work term. Early on, meet with them to discuss their expectations and learning objectives. You'll want to ensure they are realistic about the scope and nature of work coming their way. This helps their to understand the connection between their new Co-op job and their academic program.
- Provide your student with an orientation to your work environment and company policies. This is a good time to talk with them about your expectations with respect to performance standards, dress code, communication, decision making channels, confidentiality, organizational structure and background on their assigned project.
- Recognize that some students may need extra attention the first few weeks on the job. For some, the Co-op work term is their first experience in a professional environment.
- Plan for work assignments to increase in complexity and responsibility as your student is trained and adjusts to the work environment.
- Provide them with enough work to do. One of the most common complaints heard from students is that they have too little to do. They should be encouraged to seek out additional work when they finish their assigned work, after checking to ensure it is flawless.
- Emphasize that quality work is prized over volume of work completed which may have errors. Accuracy to detail is key.
- Provide them with feedback on a regular basis. Encourage them to approach you for feedback and to check in with you to give updates on them progress.
- Encourage them to participate in social and professional events.