All ABOUT CO-OP
AND INTERNSHIP
FOR FEAS AND FESNS
STUDENTS
AGENDA
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What is Co-op/Internship and why participate
Program details and criteria to participate
The Career Centre
Next Steps
Questions
WHAT IS INTERNSHIP
• Internship work terms are normally 12 or 16
months in length and could start in May,
September or January. The extended work
term provides an opportunity to take on longterm projects and to integrate fully as a
contributing member of a team.
WHAT IS CO-OP
• The term co-op normally applies to a 3 or 4
month work term, usually served in the summer
period between years of undergraduate study.
Back-to-back co-ops of 8 months may be served
with the same company, or with two separate
employers. In a co-op term, a student will acquire
an appreciation of company culture and
management structure and have the chance to
apply academic theory in a practical setting.
CHANGE IN LENGTH OF TERM
• Should you accept an extension of your co-op
or internship term, beyond the original set
end date, you will be enrolled, and $500 fee
billed to your mycampus account in the
following semester(s)
• You may start out in a 4 or 8 month co-op and
be changed to an internship if your work term
extends to 12 to 16 months
WHAT COULD YOU GAIN FROM PARTICIPATING IN
A CO-OP OR INTERNSHIP?
• Gain industry experience in a chosen field
• Strengthen skills through practical application
• Enhance your resumé through acquisition of relevant technical and
employability skills
• Explore future employment potential
• Clarify career direction, define employment goals
• Increase motivation to learn and better understand significance of course
material
• Develop a valuable network, build confidence in interacting with employers
• Earn money, offset costs of education, reduce debt load
• Acquire up to 12 months of pre-graduation experience towards the
required 48 months for PEO licensing
WHY EMPLOYERS PARTICIPATE?
• Injection of new skills,
enthusiasm, ideas
• Try out new talent with a view
to future recruitment
• Develop a collaborative
relationship with the university,
tap into training and research
opportunities
• Tax Credits
PROGRAM DETAILS
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Criteria
• Student Status
Optional
• Work term reports
Fees
OSAP
SA/medical coverage
Laptops
Courses
CRITERIA TO PARTICIPATE
*Participation in program is optional*
CO-OP
INTERNSHIP
• 4 months, normally in summer
• Eligibility requirements;
minimum 2.3 cumulative GPA,
good standing
• Position does not have to be
approved
• Can participate after year one
• Several Co-op terms can be
served
• 12 or 16 months, May or
September start; January start
is possible for 12 months
• Eligibility requirements;
minimum 2.3 cumulative GPA,
good standing
• Position must be approved
• Can participate after year
three, or year four of a five year
program
FEES
• Co-op and Internship fees are $500 per
semester. This fee is subject to change,
without notice, based on UOIT Board approval
• Students in 2011 work terms earned wages
ranging from $7,800 to $14,560 per semester
• Each semester the co-op/internship fee will be
posted on your My Campus account
• Late fees are charged
International Student Participation
• A Canadian Social Insurance number ( card) is required to
participate in a summer co-op position
• Participating in a co-op or internship as an international
student involves working with both the internship coordinator
and the international office to obtain a Social Insurance Card
and to access assistance with your resume, cover letter and
behavioural interview skills
OSAP
• Start repayment after six months out
but interest payments start right away
• Re-payment of OSAP loan is suspended again
upon return to school
• See Financial Aid or lending bank for more info
Link to Form 32
SA Medical Coverage
• Valid until Aug. 31
• Letters provided for family coverage by request
Technology-Enriched Learning Environment
Laptops must be returned by internship students and 8 month co-op
students prior to the end of the first summer semester
• Summer co-op students may retain their computer
• Students taking a course during co-op/internship with special permission
from their faculty will have the opportunity to participate in TechnologyEnriched Learning Environment receiving a part-time machine incurring a
per semester technology-enriched learning fee.
• Students returning to school for their final year, will receive a 1 year old
laptop. There is no guarantee that you will get your own laptop back when
you return to school
• If you are graduating you can purchase your 2 year old laptop for $1.00
at the end of the school year
Student Status
• Part-time for interns; Cards issued in August
• Special gym membership rate of $145.00
• Can be member of clubs but no executive positions
Work Reports
• Work reports are due two weeks after your co-op or
internship ends
• Work reports are given a pass/fail grading, by your Faculty,
which appears on your transcript
• Pass/fail does not factor into your GPA
• Many employers do not recognize a co-op or internship
that does not appear on your transcript
• Work reports are later used to receive credit for up to 12
months of pre-graduation experience towards your PEO
license
Career Centre
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Connect with employers
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Post positions on the UOIT student experience portal under career services,
Internship and Co-op postings
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Assist students with job search strategies, resume and cover letter writing
and interview skills
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Process student applications, coordinate on-campus interviews
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Conduct Co-op and Internship Success Sessions for students
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Liaise with Registration, Accounting, and Financial Aid
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Provide guidance, support and intervention assistance to interns and co-op
students as necessary
Creating opportunities
• We encourage you to take initiative and seek out co-op and
internship opportunities
• Network with family and friends
• Register at indeed.ca or talentegg.ca to be aware of additional
companies that employ engineers
• Bring the details to the internship coordinator for acceptance
into the program
NETWORKING – PLAN YOUR INTRODUCTION
Hello, this is _____________. I am currently a __ year student at UOIT in
__________________ and I am very interested in the possibility of completing an
internship or co-op work term with ______________________________. Does your
company offer internship or co-op? May I speak to the person who recruits for this type of
position? (Repeat introduction to that person) . In addition to my academic background, I
have experience in _____________ and I would bring to the company
_____________________. Can you tell me what are some of the key skills that you look
for? What are the next steps in the application process?
NEXT STEPS
• Complete the internship/co-op application form -link
• Create a draft of your resume. Utilize the assistance of on-line career tools
of Career Cruising/or Perfect Interview Resume Creator
• Attend relevant workshops on resume and cover letter creation and
behavioural interview techniques
• Link to on line resume and cover letter workshops
• Check the student experience portal for posted opportunities and follow
application directions
QUESTIONS/COMMENTS?
For more information
Contact: Anne Coulby
Internship Coordinator
Janette Banga Internship Assistant
internship@uoit.ca