Co-op programs and economic downturns

[btiffin]

Well, anyone in Co-op with upcoming placement, I feel for you.

I was attending UofW in 1982 and had a placement period for that winter. Jobs were hard to come by that one particular semester due to an economic spiral. I can't foretell this present's future but back then it was a short lived phenomenon. Even though there was a long recovery, the shutdown caused by fear and immediate shock did not carry through to the next term. Things bounced back faster in Tatham Hall than the rest of the world. You may hear of drops in this terms placement rates, as news is still pumping out shock waves, but in my experience, don't expect to be denied employment in your career for very long.

And maybe take a look at starting a small business, being an entrepreneur. One thing about downturns; corporations do close ranks, tighten and cut, but they also keep their eyes open for opportunity for savings or ways of automating core business in cost effective ways.

I can't say this time will be anything like last time (as it won't, times and things were different), but I can say I feel for ya and wish the best of skill to everyone.

And to tell everyone, that at this stage "there is nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile".

Cheers

[nike52]

Lets all just hope there'll be a economic upturn when I go into coop next year. :p

[Tony]

What I find to be awesome about early stage startups (besides the environment and the kind of work one gets to do there), is that if they have no revenue, then they are not affected by the economic downturn.

Large corporations that see a downturn in their revenue streams turtle. Small startups see this as an opportunity to be innovative and build new products that will save money for those large corporations.

The economy will certainly change the rules of the game, but I wouldn't say that we wouldn't get to play. In my field of work (web based startups), I'm seeing startup companies going out and looking to hire people right now.

[Vermette]

I just got back from a gaming industry conference and the feedback I got from the studio reps present (including owners and CEOs) was they were looking to expand their co-op base over the next two years. As it is, here at Windsor we're getting more placement offers than CS students to fill them which was never the case when I was an undergrad, when times were good.

I think the drop in CS enrollment in Canada outpaced any economic downturn the tech sector as a whole is feeling. I'm not worried.

[Roman]

On one hand, I don't doubt companies don't want to cash out on more workers. But on the other hand, an economic downturn could be exactly the situation that requires the recruitment of young and innovative talent

[PaulButler]

I think I read in the daily bulletin that co-op placements this term at UW are actually up from last year.

[btiffin]

All good news. I like the positive vibe gentlemen.

And yes, hard times are opportunities, just as good times are.

Re; placements at UofW, nice. They must still be running the high 90 percent range then. Good news.

Cheers