Co-op for
Indigenous students

Co-operative education, or co-op, is a learning strategy that lets you alternate your academic studies with paid, relevant work in your field of study. Co-op offers a wide range of jobs for students, including culturally relevant work opportunities.

Can co-op work with band funding?

Can co-op work with band funding?

Many Indigenous students recieving band education funding wonder if co-op will conflict with their bands' funding policies. Each band has different funding policies—ask your band to see how funding can work for your co-op degree or contact our Indigenous co-op officer for help.

Co-op will increase the length of your degree by about a year, but you'll gain 12 months of paid work experience in your field. Co-op salaries are competitive, and your relevant work experience will give you a head start after graduation.

Does co-op offer culturally relevant work experience?

Does co-op offer culturally relevant work experience?

Co-op offers many culturally relevant work opportunities that will help you gain experience and build your technical, professional and community-based skills. Our employers include large companies, government ministries, organizations that impact aboriginal communities, and community-based groups such as community organizations and tribal councils. You can also work with our Indigenous co-op officer to develop a customized position in your own community or with a particular employer you're interested in.

You're also welcome to apply for all other co-op positions posted on our job portal (co-op positions are only visible to registered co-op students).

Can part-time students take part in co-op?

Can part-time students take part in co-op?

Absolutely. We offer a part-time parallel program for part-time students. You’ll gain relevant work experience without disrupting your school/life balance. Contact your co-op program for more information.

Does co-op work for students who have families and dependents?

Does co-op work for students who have families and dependents?

Yes! Many students balance their academic degrees with family responsibilities. Co-op supports you in many ways:

• a part-time parallel option if you're a part-time student
• personalized support from co-op coordinators to help you reach your career goals
• competitive co-op salaries to help you support your family while you expand your career horizons
• resources to develop your skills, make contacts and succeed after graduation

How do I join co-op or find out more?

How do I join co-op or find out more?

You'll find lots of general information about co-op here; then, just find the co-op program for your degree to learn about application requirements. Contact your co-op program as early in your studies as possible to learn about admission and get started on your co-op work terms. Don't worry if you're already in third year—it's not too late for co-op or the shorter work experience program (offered in some co-op areas)!

Indigenous
co-op officer

The Indigenous co-op officer supports Indigenous students in the co-op program and on their career paths. She can help you:

• find relevant work in your field of study
• connect with Indigenous organizations and First Nations communities who hire students
• explore culturally relevant co-op opportunities—projects or services that impact or partner with Indigenous communities
• learn more about the LE,NONET program
• find career resources and discuss band funding issues

Meet Jessica Bekker, Indigenous co-op officer Jessica Bekker (Blackfoot, Piikuni Nation) is a UVic graduate who completed four co-op work terms as part of her electrical engineering degree. Jessica’s work terms with Schneider Electric and the T’Sou-ke Nation Solar Project allowed her to apply her knowledge of power systems and program development to support First Nations communities. She is currently pursuing a graduate degree at UVic.

Contact
Jessica Bekker, Indigenous co-op officer: indgcoop@uvic.ca | 250-508-1730

Office hours
Engineering and Computer Science Building 230: Tuesdays 1:30–3:30pm
First Peoples House 140: Thursdays 9:30–2:30pm  

Indigenous
career programs

LE,NONET program

LE,NONET program

LE,NONET is a suite of programs focused on supporting Indigenous undergraduate students to succeed at UVic. While LE,NONET has a variety of programs, three initiatives are most relevant to Co-op and Career:

• preparation seminar: a course focusing on local Aboriginal history and culture, Indigenous research methods, and skills for working in community settings (prerequisite for the community internship and research apprenticeship programs)
• community internship program: students complete 200 hours of work with an Indigenous community or organization in Canada
• research apprenticeship program: students complete 200 hours of research work with a professor or research institute at UVic

Students interested or already involved in these LE,NONET programs can contact the Indigenous co-op officer to create a personalized plan for bridging LE,NONET work experiences into the co-op program. 

TD Indigenous Student Career Transition Project

TD Indigenous Student Career Transition Project

UVic's Office of Indigenous Affairs is accepting applications for the TD Indigenous Student Career Transition Project.

This program, sponsored by TD Bank, is designed to help graduating Indigenous students, gain direct "on the job" skills while pursuing their educational goals. Students will work towards mentoring and/or job shadowing and professional development skills such as resume writing and interview techniques, working with a job coach, and preparing for graduate studies. As a key requirement of the program, students are expected to give back to the community either by facilitating workshops, or organizing a community event.

Financial awards will be given to students for various levels of participation, including: 1. Mentoring: a minimum of 20 - 25 hours 2. Job Shadowing: a minimum of 5 days (25-35 hours) 3. Reciprocal Learning and Giving Back: volunteer your time to give back to your community or extended community.

Based on which career options are chosen, students could receive up to $2,000 in awards.

To learn more about the Career Transition Project, visit www.uvic.ca/inaf or contact Gina Starblanket.

LYNX Aboriginal Student Career and Employment Program 

LYNX Aboriginal Student Career and Employment Program 

The LYNX Aboriginal Student Career & Employment Program
through the University of Calgary provides an opportunity for Indigenous students and recent graduates from various universities in Western Canada to connect directly with potential employers.Potential employers seeking to hire Indigenous students use the program to post available employment positions, view student profiles, and share information about their organizations. Through the program website students can upload resumes, learn about internships, co-op opportunities, summer and full-time employment for Indigenous students. 

Student
stories

These are just a few of the stories that Indigenous students have shared about their co-op experiences.

• Health and information science student Jonathon Rabeneck (Snuneymuxw First Nation) completed a work term with Cancer Care Ontario, and hopes to one day work in the health care industry improving the lives of others.
• Biology student Connor Silverthorn (Métis) worked in the Gulf Islands, the Rocky Mountains, and an organic farm in France, connecting with nature and his heritage through co-op.
• Master of Dispute Resolution student Lea Joe (Cowichan Tribes) worked as an assistant negotiator with the Hul'qumi'num Treaty Group, and as a First Nations liaison with Parks Canada. Her heritage has given her unique insight during her co-op terms and has been an asset in the workplace.
• Biology student Robert Kowbel (Kamloops Nation, Interior Salish) spent a work term as an on-board naturalist with BC Ferries, giving presentations to passengers about the natural history of the Gulf Islands. 
• Master of Education student Jason L'Heureux (Métis) arranged a co-op work term near his hometown in Saskatchewan. He worked as a coach for a Bantam boys hockey team—a position perfect for his ultimate goal of a career as a hockey coach.
• Electrical engineering student Jessica Bekker (Blackfoot), now Indigenous co-op officer, spent a work term with Schneider Electric, where she gained hands-on knowledge about power systems and energy efficiency. This will go a long way towards her goal of helping First Nations communities achieve energy independence.
• Business student Natasha Marshall (Nuu-Chah-Nulth) spent two co-op work terms as a mental health supervisor assistant and youth support worker for the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Nation Tribal Council. During her work terms, she co-facilitated suicide prevention workshops and led an outdoor leadership summer camp for teenagers.