Our annual Co-op Photo Contest brought in more than 115 photo entries this year, and 900 students picked their favourites when the photos were displayed at the 2010 Co-op and Career Info Day event in September. Law co-op student Caleb Behn was awarded first prize and $500 for his shot of a rafting trip he took while working as a human rights researcher at the Yukon Department of Justice in Whitehorse during the summer of 2010.

Here are the top three photos from the 2010 contest. Co-op and Career holds a Co-op Photo Contest every year. The next contest will open in June 2011 and close at the end of August 2011. Contest rules are available online.

FIRST PRIZE: Caleb Behn (law)
Job title: Human rights researcher at the Yukon Department of Justice in Whitehorse, Yukon (summer 2010)

What's happening in the photo: "This photo is of me and Mr. Trevor Cunningham (Esq.), another UVic Law co-op student, rafting a class III/IV Yukon River in appropriate law attire. We're doing a double backflip over a large wave while on a trip with clients. We feel this is UVic Law Co-op at its best."

SECOND PRIZE: Ryan Ferguson (earth and ocean sciences)
Job title: Volunteer/research assistant at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory at the Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii

What's happening in the photo: "During the period when the volcano is inflating, magma is being pushed to the surface. It currently flows out the TEC vent east of Kilauea and downhill. Scientists routinely use GPS to map the front of the flows and take samples. Here, we were walking across the front of the flows and using GPS to predict the flow diretction as it came down the hill towards the ocean."

THIRD PRIZE: Julie Bremner (biology)
Job title: WWF Explore volunteer at WWF in Southwest spiny forest, Madagascar

What's happening in the photo: "These kids had too much energy after a community presentation, so I decided to play an impromptu game of follow the leader. There is no better place than on a windswept beach along the shores of the Indian Ocean. Instructions were a little difficult given the language barrier, but these guys caught on quickly."

This summer, UVic Business placed its 10,000th co-op student in a work-term job. Despite the tough economy, the faculty still managed to place 306 students in summer jobs - an 11% increase over 2009! Read more 

When the Co-operative Education Program merged with Career Services in February 2009, both units managed very separate web spaces. To make things easier for students and alumni, employers, faculty and staff who use our programs and services, we began working with UVic Systems to create a new web presence. The new site, which launched in early November 2010, includes co-op and career-related content geared towards our unique audiences.

So what's new?
For starters, each audience group now has its own section on the site, where users can find information about co-operative education, career services programs and opportunities, and specialized resources.

These resources include information sheets on every aspect of the job search and career planning. Resources are divided into three main kits:

• the journey kit, where students can find information about planning their career pathway (topics include "How do your values connect to your ideal career", and "What can you do with your degree")
• the competency kit, where students can learn how to develop knowledge, skills and attributes that are valued by employers in their field
• the tool kit, where students can learn how to prepare for their job search (topics include "How to write a résumé" and "Steps to a successful interview"

What about job postings?

Co-op positions continue to be posted and viewed on the Mamook job posting system, while non-co-op positions (full-time, part-time, summer, volunteer, internships, casual, tutoring) are posted on the Co-op and Career portal. Co-op jobs will move to the portal in 2011.

Website feedback

We’re proud of our co-op students and everything they accomplish—that’s why we hold an annual Co-op Designation Celebration to applaud their hard work. More than 70 co-op students, 5 deans and 22 Co-op and Career staff turned up for this year’s celebration for students in the Optional and Professional Programs (OPP) on March 29 at the University Club.

Attendees enjoyed some good food, great company and some laughs before awards were handed out for Co-op Student of the Year for each of the OPP programs.  Students were nominated by their employers and coordinators.

Biochemistry and Microbiology student Chelsey Lane (pictured, with her co-op coordinator Rozanne Poulson) received the “Co-op student of the Year” award for the overall OPP group.

Award winners are listed by program below.

• Biology Co-op Student of the Year: Heather Neave
• Chemistry Co-op Student of the Year: Derek Mandel
• Earth and Ocean Sciences Co-op Student of the Year: Ashley Gross
• Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education Co-op Student of the Year: Clayton Webb
• Health Information Science Co-op Student of the Year: Caitlin Fletcher
• Humanities, Fine Arts and Professional Writing Co-op Student of the Year: Andrew Wade
• Law Co-op Student of the Year: Jennifer Mickelson
• Physics and Astronomy Co-op Student of the Year: Matthew Shannon
• Public Administration Co-op Student of the Year: Kelly Brandt
• Social Sciences Co-op Student of the Year: Laura-Leigh McKenzie

Lime Connect Canada's Corporate Recruitment Event for Experienced People with Disabilities

Application/RSVP Deadline:  Wednesday, May 31, 2011

Lime Connect Canada (Lime Canada) is a not for profit organization founded in 2009 that uses a fresh, results-oriented approach to connect people with disabilities and global corporations as an untapped source of talent. Our initial focus has been on working with campuses where our corporate partners have proven hiring success to connect them with talented students who happen to have disabilities – students they would likely not have access to otherwise – for summer internships and full time positions.

Lateral recruiting is a key talent acquisition component for our partners, and Lime Connect Canada also targets experienced, talented people with disabilities who are seeking career advancement.   BMO Financial Group, Google, IBM Canada, PepsiCo, RBC and TD Bank Financial Group have worked with Lime Canada to integrate disability as a full component of their overall diversity strategy, and value the intellectual capital that is found in people with disabilities.  You won't want to miss this opportunity to network one-on-one and develop relationships with corporate execs and recruiters who are seeking to hire, and to potentially speak privately one-on-one at the event for current openings.  We put talent first, and this is no "job fair."

By the way, we know that one in five people globally has a disability, and that the large majority of disabilities are invisible - including ADD, dyslexia, depression, medical conditions and many others – and all individuals with disabilities are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity.

To apply to attend/RSVP, and to check out all professional opportunities available with our partners (means you don't necessarily need to go to Toronto), go to: http://www.limeconnect.com/opportunities/page/opportunities-for-experienced-professionals today.  All candidates will apply via The Lime Network – our exclusive resource for candidates with disabilities.

Date:                  Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Time:                  6:00 – 8:00 pm
Format:               Cocktail reception with brief panel discussion and potential private one-on-ones

Dress:                 Business/business casual

Location:             Downtown Toronto

Opportunities:      More than 50 current openings include a wide variety of positions in finance, technology, consulting, marketing/sales, operations, management and more

Please note that space is limited because of the event format.  If your background matches our partners' current needs, we will send you an official invitation and details of the event in advance.

In English   En Français

In English

The University of Victoria’s Co-operative Education Program and Career Services (UVic Co-op and Career) will help eight to 10 Vancouver Island businesses hire post-secondary students to grow their e-commerce strategies, thanks to a new partnership with Industry Canada’s Small Business Internship Program (SBIP).

Through the agreement, UVic Co-op and Career will allocate $80,000 in SBIP funding to small- or medium-sized businesses wishing to hire students for a 12-week internship. Students will work on projects that help businesses adopt a more active e-marketing approach; this could include the establishment of a social networking plan, the creation of a blogging or podcasting feature, or a viral marketing strategy. Businesses that qualify for the SBIP will be reimbursed for up to 75% of the student’s wages and benefits.  

UVic Co-op and Career will be responsible for recruiting qualified businesses from Lower Vancouver Island, as well as managing and monitoring agreements with these organizations. Additionally, Co-op and Career will promote resulting job postings to BC post-secondary students.

The SBIP agreement between UVic Co-op and Career and Industry Canada will begin on April 1, 2012 and continue through March 2013.

How can organizations apply?

Application forms and guides are located on the Small Business Internship Program websites (English and French). Vancouver Island business interested in applying for funding should send application packages to employer@uvic.ca. Download the brochure for details.

En Français

Programme de stages dans les petites entreprises

Où appliquer?

Sans frais 1-855-641-3923 ou consulter le site www.ic.gc.ca/pspe.

Pour en savoir plus sur le Programme, les criteres d'admissibilité et les formalités de demande:

• Brochure bilingue