When choosing a degree or study programme you probably have a potential career in mind. You want the right balance between the theoretical elements of your chosen subject and the practical industry experience you’ll require. That’s where a cooperative education programme can help you. We help you navigate what cooperative education can offer, the benefits of pursuing this route, and the potential outcomes for you as a new graduate.
What is cooperative education?
The transition from degree study to professional work can be challenging. Having work-ready skills and the ability to translate theoretical concepts into a practical setting can take time. Universities understand that some qualifications and programmes require the partnership of a company or organisation to equip you with the knowledge you need. These are referred to as ‘co-op’ programmes, cooperative education, or sandwich courses.
Cooperative education includes a combination of traditional campus-based learning with a paid job experience component, which counts towards the completion of the qualification. A co-op programme is often referred to or defined as “work-integrated learning” or “experiential learning”. The paid work experience you undertake is always related to the subject or specialisation of your course. Usually, you will alternate between work placements and in-class learning during your course or degree.
How is a cooperative education programme structured?
The curriculum you study and the structure of your course will not be the same for all universities, but there will be similarities. It can depend on the country you choose to study in, with Canadian and American universities adopting similar models. We’ve decided to look at the offering from the University of Waterloo in Canada, one of the biggest providers of co-op programmes globally and rated number one for graduate employability by the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022. The institution partners with many well-known companies, including Apple, Google, Honda, IBM, WhatsApp, Pfizer, and more.
Programmes at the university are built around your interests, goals, subject, and the required work experience. Throughout a five-year qualification, you will complete between five and six work terms of four months each. This is integrated with on-campus learning via lectures, tutorials and classroom-based projects. The study and work terms may differ based on your degree requirements. Some of the programmes available for co-op study at the institutions are:
- Accounting and financial management
- Architectural engineering
- Biomedical engineering
- Business
- Data science
- Economics
- Chemistry
- Health Sciences
- Mechanical engineering
As part of the programme at the University of Waterloo, you need to look and apply for jobs during your study terms and complete a professional development module before your first work placement. It’s also important to remember that as an international student in Canada, you must apply for a co-op work permit, which permits you to work in the country. This will also be the case for other destinations, and you should always verify the requirements with your university before applying.
What’s the difference between a cooperative education and an internship?
The difference between cooperative education and an internship can be difficult to understand. This is because they do share some similarities in focus. Both allow you to experience a professional work environment, learn important industry skills, network, and develop your career. However, there are critical differences between the two:
- With a co-op work placement, you will earn a salary and are paid for the work that you do. You are also expected to actively participate in projects and deliver work. An internship can often be unpaid, but may be paid, and is primarily focused on skills acquisition and development.
- Co-op education work terms are usually shorter in duration than internships. They last approximately four to five months. Your performance counts towards the completion of your degree and is assessed. An internship is longer and will enhance your CV but does not contribute towards your grade or qualification. Internships do allow you to stay longer in a position and potentially find employment.
- Getting a co-op job placement can take longer than an internship, as you must apply, interview and choose the position that suits you best. This all happens at the same time as you’re studying your course.
- Studying a co-op course will potentially add an extra year or two to your studies. Undertaking internships during your degree will not significantly impact the time it takes to qualify.
If you’re unsure of what your best option would be, remember that you can speak directly to a university admission office, international office, careers service, or an education counsellor for advice.
What are the benefits of a cooperative education programme?
We have covered a few of the benefits of a cooperative education qualification. However, it is worth underlining these once more. Some of the main plus points for co-op education are:
- The opportunity to work professionally at major companies and organisations, learning valuable skills that enhance your profile and contribute to your academic understanding.
- The chance to earn money while studying, helping you to cover tuition and living costs.
- The enhancement of valuable communication, critical thinking, analytical, and collaborative skills.
- Getting insight, advice and feedback from industry professionals contributing towards your development.
- The chance to develop a professional network and increase your chances of finding employment after graduation.
A cooperative education programme is an ideal way to discover if the field or specialisation you are interested in will suit you. It can also help you refine your academic and professional focus as you work for different employers and potentially in different industries.
What can I do after a cooperative education programme?
Cooperative education programmes are designed to prepare you for employment and help you build a professional network. For many graduating students, it is not unusual to find work with an employer with whom you have undertaken a previous work placement. Further, having built up a CV with professional references from reputable companies, your chances of finding work are significantly increased. You can also move on to graduate education or a postgraduate degree once you’ve completed your co-op.
The University of Waterloo indicates that 96 per cent of graduates are employed within six months of completing a qualification. In addition, co-op graduates earn more on average than graduates from other programmes in Canada. Northeastern University in the USA reports similar figures for co-op graduates, with 93 per cent of students in employment or postgraduate studies.
With your new understanding of cooperative education, you can continue your study abroad research. We have some guides on the post-study landscape for international students, in-demand skills for careers in 2023, and 5 steps to creating a great graduate portfolio.
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