ROADMAP TO
YOUR CO-OP CAREER
The Roadmap project aims to provide students with a guideline for their Co-op career, personalized for each department. I work closely with the Co-op coordinators to provide students with specifically tailored insights ranging from what to do as a Co-op student in Biological Science, how to prepare their career, to what are the next steps after securing a job.
STEP 1: BEFORE YOUR FIRST CO-OP
Students generally don't know to prepare themselves before stepping into the Co-op program. A common misconception is that the Co-op program will teach them everything they'll need to know in order to attain a Co-op. This is partially true. However, the job market is saturated with talent. The increase in competition will hinder students who are doing the bare minimum to get the job. Although the Co-op program has different kinds of workshops to prepare students for resumes, cover letters, and interviews, it is up to the students to improve their skills and experiences outside the classroom in order to make themselves more competitive amongst their peers. Here are some of the tips from Co-op advisors and coordinators to allow students to diversify their options, learn more about the field they're going into, and build a set of skills and experiences that will allow them to be a good candidate.
STEP 2: Participating in Your Co-op Experience
After attaining a successful Co-op term, students should get in touch with their coordinators and advisors in order to follow-up with their progress. Not only that, their coordinators and advisors are useful resources for their future job reference, if applicable. In this section, the coordinator provides the students with insights and tips on what to do during their Co-op term, ranging from making connections with others, keeping in touch with their advisors and coordinators, to updating their LinkedIn profile. The Co-op staff is committed to helping their students every step of the way, including before attaining the Co-op term to after attaining the job.
STEP 3: after your last co-op
Co-op experiences are meant to allow students to get a taste of the outside world, provide them with learning abilities and working knowledge of the kind of jobs they'll attain after graduation. However, they are not guarantees for job security after attaining your degree. Although the Co-op program allows students to have a competitive edge, it is not a safety net that will guarantee a spot for students after graduation. Knowing this, members of the Co-op department are dedicated to help students to get ready for jobs post-graduation. This section shows the advice that coordinators give to students who are having difficulty attaining job post-grad, students who have already secured a job, and everywhere in between.
final product
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