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Get involved and get ahead

Our Science Co-operative Education (Co-op) Program connects you to a diverse range of job opportunities and employers. As a co-op student, you will gain practical and professional skills, build a network of contacts and references, and obtain valuable job search and interview experience to help you stand out in a competitive job market. You’ll be able to integrate work terms into your degree program so that you can graduate with at least 12 months of work experience on top of your specialized degree designation.

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Jump Start your Career! Advice from our Alumni

“Co-op helped me start a career in the biotechnology industry. Over the course of my co-op terms, I not only learned many different current and industry-relevant skillsets but also got a real sense of what a career in biotechnology actually felt like day to day. I met a lot of people that were very important in my professional development, and role-models that inspired me to make the career choices that I have made to date. Had I not had the experience that I'd gained from participating in the co-op program, I don't think that I would be as far advanced in my career as I am now.”

Kiera Warren, MBB Co-Op alumnus
 

“I am a firm believer that the best way to learn and gain access to real-world opportunities is by getting yourself immersed. What we learn in the classroom setting is theories that demonstrate the ideal world but we know that individuals and organizations face different challenges everyday - having critical thinking skill and being adaptable to fast changing circumstances are vital. Co-op offers me the experience by exposing me to colleagues and projects across different levels and functions of an organization, where I get to learn and handle different working styles, forcing me think on my feet. The experience has been beneficial in helping me to redefine my career interests and identity skill gaps to improve on to further develop personally and professionally.

Josh Kim, Statistics Co-op alumnus

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"Having the opportunity to create a resume and cover letters, apply to job postings, and go through the interview process are invaluable aspects of the co-op program. Co-op also showed me which types of work I like as well as those that I do not prefer. As well, through the interview process and working in different organizations, relationships and connections are built that can lead to opportunities down the road. For example, my work term at Columbia Containers was born out of an interview I had conducted in a previous term where I did not receive an offer but showed interest in their organization and remained in contact with them. Moreover, after graduating, it was easier to find a full-time position at E-One Moli Energy because I had previously worked there during co-op and knew the managers during the hiring process."

Matthew Garayt, Physics Co-op Alumnus

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Hear from more of our Alumni

Getting started in Co-op

When should I start thinking about co-op?

Students are encouraged to get involved with the co-op program early in their degree to provide the greatest flexibility in semester planning and career exploration. Student can join the program in their first year. For students transferring to SFU from another institution, we encourage you to get started in your first semester here.

Students should apply to the co-op program two semesters in advance of their first intended work term. For example, students joining the co-op program in the fall are preparing for a work term in the following summer.

If you have any questions, we encourage you to contact the Co-op Coordinator for your discipline.

How much work experience can I get in the co-op program?

When students join the co-op program, we are looking for a commitment to integrate at least three work terms into your degree. Of course, there is the option to do more. Many students will complete 4 or 5 work terms during their degree.

I am interested in learning more about Co-Op, who do I speak to?

If you have any questions about the co-op program and how it will integrates into your studies, please feel free to reach out to the Science Co-op team

How do I apply for the Co-op Program?

We invite interested students to visit the Science Co-op website to review program requirements and link to our online application form.

EXAMPLE JOB POSTINGS

The job opportunities available in Science Co-op are as diverse as the students studying in this faculty. Students are given the freedom to explore a wide range of positions based on your interests and career goals. Here a few sample roles where Science Co-op students have worked.

QUANTITATIVE ROLES

  • Actuarial Co-op
  • Business Intelligence Analyst
  • Data Insights Analyst

FIELD ROLES

  • Wildlife Technician
  • Fisheries Technician

RESEARCH ROLES

  • Medical Chemistry Co-op
  • Physics Research Student
  • Laboratory Research Assistant

CLINICAL ROLES

  • Student Clinical Trials Assistant

LAB ROLES

  • Laboratory Research Assistant
  • Medicinal Chemistry
  • Microbiology Lab Technician

PROGRAMMING ROLES

  • Associate Software Developer
  • Bioinformatice Co-op

STUDENT EXPERIENCES ON THE OLC

Learn more about some of the amazing work terms our current students have recently completed.

OLC

Get in Touch

Please feel free to contact the Science Co-op office if you have questions or want to learn more.

The Co-op Coordinator for your discipline would be happy to assist or you can connect with our general office.

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