THE CO-OP ADVANTAGE:
NOTES FROM A NATIONAL
PANEL SURVEY
ALEX USHER
HIGHER EDUCATION STRATEGY ASSOCIATES
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, Ontario – September 12th, 2012
Data Sources


Some data comes from the annual Globe and Mail survey (3038,000/year, all institutions)
Most comes from HESA’s CanEd student panel; 8,000 and
10,000 members from across Canada, surveyed 8 times per
year.
Co-op student in CanEd sample
Varies between 8-12% of total
27% Each in Business and Engineering
19% Science, 15% Arts
8% Health, 5% Education
Understanding the co-op difference


Co-op students differ from general population not just in the
type of program but also in distribution of field of study
Need to distinguish between differences driven by program
and those driven by field of study
Demographics

Co-op skews male (53% vs. 40%) and visible minority (28%
vs. 19%)

No difference in socio-economic profile

No difference on most personality traits

Significantly more likely to be attending PSE for career
reasons; much less likely to be interested in grad school
Choosing an institution




Much more likely to say they chose a school based on
employment considerations (41% vs 25%)
Twice as likely as other students to say choice of institution
influenced by a teacher (20% vs. 11%)
Less likely care about campus size (45% vs. 32%)
Less likely to expect to work independently (44% vs. 59%) or
interact with teachers (24% vs. 30%)
Satisfaction

More likely to think their school has a sense of community

Slightly higher levels of satisfaction, holding FoS constant

Slightly more likely to recommend their school to others
Future Work and Finances


More confident about finding work and repaying debt
Significantly more likely to have entrepreneurial ambitions
(41% vs 25%)

Attracted to low-cost jurisdictions

Work-life balance aspirations similar to other students
Summer Work

65% work for a new employer in the summer (vs. 42%)

Wage premium varies from 30-80%, depending on FoS.

Avg = $720/week (vs. $423/week)

Work far more likely to be related to FoS
Summer Work/Study Relationship
The Work-Learning Experience


Jobs which combine school and work thought to be far more
rewarding than other kinds of work
But to what extent is it co-op, specifically, which is adding
value? Are there other kinds of work where students can get
similar kinds of rewards?
Work Experience
“My Field of Student was Best Possible for My Job” –
Latest Unstructured Work Experiences
Summer Job
In-School Job
Volunteer
Education
15%
12%
48%
Visual & Performing Arts
8%
15%
6%
Humanities
8%
12%
10%
Social Sciences
5%
6%
18%
Health &Related Fields
19%
27%
6%
Business
19%
22%
7%
Physical & Life Sciences and Technologies
15%
17%
22%
Math & Computer Science
26%
42%
0%
Engineering & Architecture
23%
35%
11%
Agriculture & Environmental Sciences
19%
6%
8%
All Students
16%
19%
16%
Work Has Positive Impact on Critical Thinking & Problem
Solving Skills
Work Provides Better Understanding of Concepts
Learned in Class and their Real-World Application
Work Improved Knowledge and Technical Skills in Areas
Related to Field of Study
Work Provided a Better Understanding of General
Workplace Culture, Norms and Behavior
Work Improved Inter-personal & Teamwork Skills
Work Gave Me A Better Understanding of What I
Want to Do With My Life
Work Will Make It Easier to Find a Job After
Graduation
Work Will Make It Easier to Find a Job in My Field of
Study After Graduation
THANK YOU!
Alex Usher: ausher@higheredstrategy.com
http://higheredstrategy.com/blog/