Tips & Supervisor Requirements

Tips & Supervisor Requirements

These 10 tips can help your organization maximize the co-op experience.

Before day 1: provide background information to the student

Prior to the student’s first day at work, forward any materials, websites, past project summaries etc., that will help the student prepare.

Arrange a ‘welcome orientation’

You’ll promote engagement between employees and co-op students. Orientation could include a department walkthrough, an overview of your organizational chart, and a staff-wide introductory email.

Rotate students through multiple departments

You’ll help co-op students build a holistic understanding of company operations. 

Allow students to invite senior staff to lunch or coffee

You’ll enhance students’ connection to the company and provide opportunities to learn about your organization’s culture.

Include students during staff meetings and training sessions

You’ll give co-op students the opportunity to practice meeting etiquette and develop a greater understanding of departmental responsibilities. Plus, even if the training isn’t relevant to students’ current positions, you’ll help them learn new skills.

In large organizations, coordinate ‘co-op student coffee socials’

You’ll encourage students to share ideas, experiences, protocols and training.

Facilitate meetings between students and professional contacts

You’ll promote the exploration of co-op students’ career goals and the ways these goals align with your industry.

Involve current students in the hiring of the next co-op student

You’ll give co-op students the opportunity to learn how your organization screens and interviews applicants, and reduce work for the hiring manager.

Include students in extracurricular and social activities

You’ll increase co-op students’ familiarity, comfort and sense of commitment to coworkers and to your organization.

Ask students to complete a presentation about their experiences

You’ll help students develop presentation skills and illuminate opportunities for improvement.

What’s involved in supervising a co-op student?

Now that you’ve hired a student, it’s time to extend a warm welcome. Here are some guidelines on how to set your student up for success, and what to expect from SFU Co-op during the work term.

Remember that for some students, this may be their first time working in a professional environment, and they may need extra support during their first month.

Assign a supervisor

Assign your student a supervisor who will keep track of the projects that the student is working on, outline your organization’s expectations, and mentor the student.

Provide a thorough orientation

Describe your organizational structure and the student’s role. Outline your expectations, including projects or tasks, your policy/perspectives on the use of artificial intelligence tools (e.g., Chat GPT) in the workplace, behaviour and professionalism, confidentiality or safety policies and more, and provide training where necessary. This is also a good time to identify links between the co-op job and the student’s academic program.

Check in regularly

Schedule regular check-ins to assess the student’s work load and progress, provide feedback, and adjust duties and responsibilities as needed. These feedback sessions are also an opportunity to encourage the student to participate in meetings or attend workplace functions to learn more about the organization.

Ask your student about the work term submission

All co-op students must complete a work term submission. Submissions are often about a project or learning opportunity that the student found valuable. Discuss the topic with the student to determine if the content may be confidential. Most submissions are due after the work term has ended and are evaluated by the co-op coordinator. If the submission contains confidential information, you may mark the submission instead.

What if you have problems with a co-op student?

At the first sign of an unusual situation (behaviour problems, medical emergencies, etc.), contact your co-op coordinator, who will work with you to resolve the problem. If you’re considering firing a co-op student, we ask that you discuss your concerns with your co-op coordinator.