Co-op Seeking Students

Are you just about to complete COOP 1101? Great! Ensure you have completed your preparatory requirements to get access to Co-op roles. Answer the questions below to determine if you have any requirements or steps you need to take to get access to jobs:

• Did you submit your Student Agreement?
• For intended students, have you fully declared your program?
• Do you meet the minimum GPA set by your program's continuance requirement to continue on in Co-op?
• Have you received a grade of "C" or better in COOP 1101?
• If you're an International student, have you submitted your valid work permit?

If you answer yes to all these questions, great! You will likely be released and given access to Co-op jobs. Go to the 'What's Next' section below to see the tools and resources available to you as you do your job search.

If you have any outstanding requirements, you will not be able to seek and apply for Co-op roles until you complete all your requirements. 

If you are returning as a seeking student, ensure you continue to meet the Co-op requirements to access Co-op jobs. Answer the questions below to determine if you have any requirements or steps you need to take to get access to jobs:

• Do you still meet the minimum GPA requirement needed to continue in the Co-op program?
• Do you have enough time to complete the Co-op work term requirements to graduate with a Co-op option? 
• If you're an International student, do you still have a valid Co-op Work Permit? If not, make sure to submit a valid Co-op Work Permit.
• Have you completed the Seeking Survey? Log in to Career Connection and the survey should be the first thing you see if you have not completed it. 
  • The Seeking Survey is a tool that the Co-op office and Co-op instructors use to determine how many students are looking for jobs in any given term. This data also helps our Employer Relations team ensure we have enough great opportunities available for you! 

If you answer yes to all these questions, great! You will likely be released and given access to Co-op jobs. Go to the 'What's Next' section below to see the tools and resources available to you as you do your job search.

If you have any outstanding requirements, you will not be able to seek and apply for Co-op roles until you complete all your requirements. 

There are many reasons you may not have access to Co-op roles in Career Connection:

• Already secured a position for the term: If you secure a role during the seeking term, your access to jobs will be turned off. If you wish to get access to jobs for the next seeking term, please let the Co-op office know, and we can update your status and give you access to jobs.
• Outstanding requirements: If you have not met the minimum GPA requirements for your program or have other outstanding requirements, you will not be given access until you complete or meet the necessary requirements. Review the questions above to determine which requirements you need to complete. Once you complete these requirements, you can reach out to the Co-op office anytime to have your records reviewed and your seeking status updated.
• Seeking Survey Response is "No" or " No Response": If you answer "No" or don't respond to the seeking survey even though you meet all the Co-op requirements, you will not be granted access to jobs. At any time during the seeking term that you wish to change your answer and request access to jobs, you can contact the Co-op office to update your status.

• Seeking Instructors: As part of your Co-op journey, you have access to seeking instructors who can provide guidance on resumes, cover letters, interview preparation, and problem resolution. Consider meeting with your seeking instructor to create a job search strategy and update your cover letter and resume. Seeking instructors change every term, and you will be notified at the beginning of each seeking term about your assigned instructor. You can also contact the Co-op office to find out who your seeking instructor is.

Reasons to Book an Appointment with Your Seeking Instructor:

• Job seeking advice
• Coaching on job search strategies
• Weighing out job offers
• Overcoming challenges in your job search
• Identifying jobs to consider
• Developing your applications and interview skills
• Managing the application process

At this time, you can email your seeking instructor for an appointment or advice on your job search.

• Assistance with Opportunities: If you're having challenges finding Co-op opportunities that match what you're looking for, reach out to the Co-op office. Our team can collaborate with the Employer Relations team to develop a strategy to secure the right opportunities for you.

• Weekly Co-op Work Search Newsletter: Every week, you will receive a Co-op Work Search Newsletter from your Co-op Seeking Instructors where they highlight important updates and provide you with relevant tips, tools, and advice to help you with your job search journey. 
• Weekly Job Blasts: You will also receive a weekly job blast of Co-op jobs currently open in Career Connection that are relevant to your program. Ensure that you are subscribed to receiving emails from Career Connection to ensure you receive these regular job blasts.
• Co-op Communications and Announcements: The Co-op office will also send regular updates about your Co-op status, jobs, or events to watch out for and other important Co-op information during your seeking term. Keep an eye out also for career events, workshops, and panels that may be of interest to you. Events are posted in Career Connection and announced via email.

When You Receive an Interview Request:

• Notify the Co-op Office: If received directly from the employer, send the interview dates, job description, and contact information of the employer to the Co-op office. If received through the Co-op office, respond to the email as soon as possible to confirm your interview.
• Prepare for the Interview: Utilize the resources and guidance provided by your seeking instructor to prepare for your interview. Reach out to the Co-op office to inquire if there is a work term report available for the job you are interviewing.

When You Receive a Job Offer:

• Accept the Offer: You can consult with your seeking instructor or the Co-op office to review the offer and address any urgent questions. Once you accept a job for the semester, you will not be eligible for other jobs, applications, or interviews for that term. As a Co-op student, you are professionally and ethically obligated to fulfill your employment contract.
• Inform the Co-op Office: Notify and send the job offer to the Co-op office to determine the eligibility of the offer and confirm your placement. The Co-op office will confirm the details and assist you with registering for your work term course.

• Can I create my own work term?
  • Yes, you can create your own work term if you find an opportunity online or through your own connections.

Here's what you need to know:

1. When to Notify the Co-op Office:
   • As you are applying to Co-op jobs outside of Career Connection, be sure to save the job description.
   • If you receive an interview request, send the interview dates, job description and contact info of the employer to the Co-op office.
2. Approval Process:
   • Send your opportunity details including the detailed job description and contact information of the company to the Co-op office at co-op@kpu.ca.
   • Allow 2-4 business days for review and notification of approval.
3. Work Term Dates:
   • Your work term must align with an academic semester:
     • Fall: September - December
     • Spring: January - April
     • Summer: May - August

Required Information for Approval:

• A copy of the job description, with the majority of duties aligned with your program of study.
• Employer's name, contact details (phone, email, worksite address), and your direct supervisor's contact information.
• Details about wages and terms. A minimum of 420 hours over 12-16 weeks is required.

Employer Requirements:

• Agree to host you as a Co-op student.
• Provide you with guidance and supervision.
• Allow a site visit from Co-op instructors around halfway through the semester.
• Have WorkSafe BC coverage and hire you as an employee, not a contractor.

For further details or to submit your work term opportunity, contact the Co-op office at co-op@kpu.ca.

• Check your Academic Profile for Outstanding Requirements - Tried searching for Co-op jobs but couldn't find any? Check your seeking status in Career Connection.
  • Viewing your Academic Profile - Log into Career Connection and check your Academic Profile. The profile shows your upcoming work term eligibility.
  • From the Career Connection Home Page, click your profile circle in the upper right, then choose My Account. 
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  • Review and Complete any Outstanding Requirements: Check the Co-op Job Access (Release Status) seciton. If it shows Released Co-op Student, you have access to Co-op jobs. If it shows Non-Released Co-op student, review the information on the page. It may list outstanding requirements you need to complete before gaining access to jobs. 
  • If you believe there are inaccuracies in the assessment provided below, please contact us at co-op@kpu.ca.
• Work Term Reports - Contact the Co-op office when you have an interview and we can send you reports from past students who have worked with the company you are interviewing with.

• Mock Interviews - Did you know you can practice your interview skills on your own? Career Connection has a great mock interview module that allows you to record your answers to common interview questions. Visit the Recommended Interviews section in Mock Interviews and try out Co-op Student Interview Questions to practice important questions every Co-op student should be ready for.
   

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• Resource Library - Looking for a quick tip sheet on writing a resume or cover letter? Maybe you're looking for that article you read in the Career Development Centre newsletter.  You can find so many treasures in the Career Connection Resource Library.

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• Events - Check the Career Development Centre’s events calendar regularly for workshops, webinars, career fairs, career insight sessions, and employer info sessions. You can also find these in the Events section of Career Connection.