Typically, there are about 1,400 students in our program. All BEng and BSEng students are required to complete the co-op program as part of their academic program. Computer science, mathematics and statistics students have an optional co-op program.

The program manager has overall responsibility for the running of the Engineering and Computer Science/Math Co-op Program.

The coordinators are involved in job development, work site visits, grading work reports, career/work term advising.

The placement coordinator's duties include managing the placement process and teaching ENGR 020 and Computer Science/Math prep.

The co-op assistants ensure the smooth running of the whole operation.

You’ll have a specific co-op coordinator assigned as your adviser for the duration of your program.

You’re encouraged to contact them for any co-op issues such as resume review, cover letters, interview techniques, job finding strategies, work term issues, work term grades, work term debriefings, etc.

Certainly! We ask for feedback at the end of each work term. We’ve also established an informal committee of students from the ESS who represent all the levels and disciplines of students. They meet as required with coordinators to discuss ongoing issues relating to the co-op program. This FAQ page is one result of such a meeting! You’re welcome to tell us if something’s not working well, and we also like to hear about things which we are doing right.

No, work term placements are not guaranteed. Too many factors affect whether or not a student might get a job -- the background of the student (discipline, year, experience, etc.), abilities in résumé writing and interview skills, the state of the economy, and a host of other factors.

It’s the co-op office's responsibility to provide you with the tools, techniques and, when possible, opportunities to secure the work experience you need to graduate. Coordinators can help.

If you’re looking for an employer in certain sectors or geographical locations, we can advise you about possible leads. We encourage you to apply to jobs on the posting board AND consider searching for your own job.

Since January 2006, the placement rate has averaged 80-90% of eligible students, with senior students more likely to find work.

We work hard to add new employers to the program, and expect that you will also make a serious effort to find employment on your own.

You need to receive credit for at least four work terms. You can complete more than four if you want, providing you still have academic terms remaining—you can't add extra work terms after the end of your last required academic term.

You can also get credit for up to two of the four required work terms by transfer credit or challenges.

Yes—this is called a work term challenge.

The work experience must have taken place within the last six years, and you must apply for a work term challenge within your first term in the Engineering program at UVic. You can learn more about work term challenges here.

Work terms are a minimum of 12 weeks of full-time work to a maximum of four months.

Each four-month period must be registered as a single work term. To change your schedule, talk to your departmental adviser. You’ll need to fill in some paperwork and make sure that you won't have any prerequisite problems with fourth year elective/emphasis courses.

In the "real world," engineers are continuously dealing with very strict deadlines -- responses to tender applications, requests for proposals, reports submitted to clients or supervisors, etc. A late submission, even by a minute, may mean a lost opportunity or economic loss.

That’s why our job application and work term report deadlines are so strict—to help prepare you for life after graduation.

A coordinator will review a job description and code it for the academic year level and discipline (computer science, computer engineering, electrical, mechanical, software) that seems appropriate for the needs of the employer and the type of work. The coding’s a guideline only—you can apply to any job you feel you’re qualified for.

Coordinators are happy to provide leads as you look for your own work term.

We discourage you from contacting employers who are already hiring co-op students but we’re happy to help with new employers.

We have a number of sources, including technology directories and manufacturers guides, as well as web links, books on job searches, and library reference material. We are also pleased to contact any new employer leads that you might develop.

Yes! Up to ten percent of our students work internationally each term. Check out the Co-op Abroad page for details.

It’s our policy to try to visit each student each work term. Visits will be in person, by phone, or by Skype. Here’s why we do this:

• We’re interested in the quality of the student's work experience. By seeing the workplace, speaking with the student and supervisor, we get a good idea of the employer's work environment.
• We discuss their opinions of the work experience with the student and the employer. It’s usually done individually so opinions can be candid. If there’s a problem, we work to solve it. We review the midterm evaluation and discuss any issues.
• We discuss the student’s plans for a work report with them. We go over any concerns about next term's courses, a review of their resume, what to look for in the next work term, etc. We also ask about what they believe they are learning, what challenges they are facing, etc.
• The visit gives the coordinator a good overview of the employer. When other students ask our opinions about a potential placement, we ‘re able to provide better advice.
• The visit gives an opportunity for a coordinator to speak with the employer about current and future hiring plans, and perhaps get leads of other employers they suggest we contact.
• The site visit allows coordinators to conduct other job development with new employers in the same area.
• Employers hire co-op student from many different universities. If the other universities visit and we don't, it may appear that we don't care.
• The site visit allows the coordinator to know the student better.

If you’re registered for a work term, you’re considered enrolled in a full-time course of studies. You can’t take university-level credit courses without the permission of the Dean of Engineering for Engineering students or the Manager of the Engineering/CSC/Math Co-op program for CSC/Math students.

You could get permission to take a single course for credit while on a work term under these conditions:

1. If the course is offered entirely outside of normal working hours.
2. If the course occurs in part or in whole during normal working hours. You must apply in writing to the co-op program manager stating which course(s) you are taking and why. You must also get a letter or email from your supervisor giving you permission to take the course (especially when it interferes with normal working hours). Submit this package to the Co-op office, ECS 204, by the second week of the term. If you enroll in a course without permission, you’ll automatically be deregistered and won’t be able to receive credit for the course.

Students taking the accelerated master’s degree or part-time programs might be able to take more than one course during a work term. Permission is still dependent on the rules above, plus you’ll need formal approval from the BEng office.

If you have permission to take a course at another institution with the intention of transferring the credit to your BEng program at UVic, check with the BEng office to make sure the course is transferrable.

This plan is administered by the UVic Student Society, so you’ll will need to contact them through the SUB Info Booth.

Proprietary or confidential work reports are destroyed or returned to the employer (at their own cost) if they request. You can pick up your non-confidential report from the co-op office—make sure to pick it up within 12 months or it will be recycled.

Yes, we offer assistance and advice for finding a position after graduation. We also have a dedicated career educator who can help you plan the next step.

Check out the engineering physics option in electrical engineering.

Check out the business management option page.

Check out the engineering mechatronics option page.

Yes, if you’re hired for a job found through our placement process, including jobs posted on the co-op job posting board.

No, if you found the job outside our placement process and the employer hasn’t posted a similar job in MyCoop.