CompSci Co-op at Waterloo

[The Invention]

I want to know more about Waterloo's co-op workload. I plan to take Fine Arts as a minor, and even considering a double major. This is because I plan to find a future career working with video games and/or graphics and animation, so I know for sure I want Arts electives.

I see on the co-op scheduling page that there are work and study periods. During the work terms, are there still classes to go to? Are the shifts between co-op placements consistent - for example, every weekday for 6 hours - or will it vary? Is there enough free time for me to pursue a double major?

I also have a part-time job and I wonder if I can still keep it when I go to co-op. It's about 12 hours per week of work.

If anyone has taken Waterloo's co-op and had or has a similar situation, advice is greatly appreciated!

[chrisbrown]

Quote:

During the work terms, are there still classes to go to?

Not scheduled ones, though you could take online classes if you were so inclined.

Quote:

Are the shifts between co-op placements consistent - for example, every weekday for 6 hours - or will it vary?

Most placements are full-time jobs: 8 hours x 5 days per week (with minor variations).

Quote:

Is there enough free time for me to pursue a double major?

That depends on how effectively you work and manage your time. It is possible to do, just don't underestimate the workload of university; a budget of 8 hours per week per course is the general guideline. That means a typical semester of 5 courses requires the time commitment of a full-time job. A double major often takes 6 or 7 courses in a semester.

Quote:

also have a part-time job and I wonder if I can still keep it when I go to co-op. It's about 12 hours per week of work.

You'll have to discuss that with your current employer. Co-op jobs take priority so you'll have to work around your given schedule. Most co-op jobs pay fairly well; do you really want to be working 50+ hours per week?


In short, if you think you have the work ethic, by all means do it. If things don't work out, the school is usually pretty accommodating with plan changes down the road.

[Tony]

Not quite.

1 -- online PD courses are required to be taken during work terms. The workload is significantly less than a typical class, and most students seem them as an annoyance.

2 -- there are no placements. You go out into The Real World(tm) and find a full time job. As such, it's typically ~40 hours / week.

3 -- depends on how well you work. Will probably be a challenge if you plan on keeping a part-time job. The lack of electives could also burn you out faster.

4 -- There are a number of problems with this. Restricting your job search to a particular geographic location puts you at a great disadvantage compared to other students. A lot of employers might have restrictions about moonlighting. If you want to make more money, you are better off negotiating a higher salary and/or finding a job that pays for overtime.

[The Invention]

Looks like a double major won't be a good idea, heh. As for my part-time job, I'll drop it once my work term starts. It's definitely a lot to handle. If I ever need it again, at least they have on record that I was an employee without problems.

I have another question. Since co-op is basically finding a full time job, could I stay there for as long as I wish, or does the job switch every term? I hear about students working at different places during their co-op experience.

Thanks for all the replies.

[Tony]

There are numerous benefits to "6 companies in 6 terms" type of an approach (diversity of experience being the biggest). You could certainly do all of the workterms at the same company, but one doesn't need to be in a co-op program for that

[SmokeMonster]

I know people who worked a part-time job along with their co-op job. It's none of your co-op employer's business what you do in your free time as long as you are not working for a competitor.

[Tony]

SmokeMonster @ Thu May 12, 2011 1:24 am wrote:

It's none of your co-op employer's business what you do in your free time...

Well that certainly sounds ideal, but that's not always the case. I'd tell you to read all the legal docs carefully and maybe negotiate for certain points, but...

The way UWaterloo co-op is setup, is that the University marks you as "employed" when you are in the position to sign the documents, but before you actually do. Which is a very shitty position to negotiate for anything.

Edit: for example, some tech companies own all of the IP you produce, while employed.

[unoho]

Tony @ Wed May 11, 2011 7:35 pm wrote:

There are numerous benefits to "6 companies in 6 terms" type of an approach (diversity of experience being the biggest). You could certainly do all of the workterms at the same company, but one doesn't need to be in a co-op program for that

but does it not look bad in future when you are applying for actual job (because you are changing companies too frequently)? my dad keeps on telling me that but again he was never in a co-op program.

[DemonWasp]

Changing jobs frequently as a co-op student is expected by everyone who understands what co-op is. Generally, people will ignore that. However, if you're jumping from company to company every 4 months after co-op, employers will tend to frown upon that.

I took the opposite approach and did my co-op terms at a total of 2 companies. The advantage there is that while I experienced fewer workplaces, I actually got to do real, productive work at both locations. Some portion of co-ops find that their employment is squandered on meaningless drudge work, which isn't much of a resume-builder.

[The Invention]

Tony @ Thu May 12, 2011 9:15 am wrote:

The way UWaterloo co-op is setup, is that the University marks you as "employed" when you are in the position to sign the documents, but before you actually do. Which is a very shitty position to negotiate for anything.

What a bummer. I can understand the university wanting to avoid prolonged job selection, but still... Has anyone ever succeeded in negotiating?

DemonWasp @ Thu May 12, 2011 10:43 am wrote:

Changing jobs frequently as a co-op student is expected by everyone who understands what co-op is. Generally, people will ignore that. However, if you're jumping from company to company every 4 months after co-op, employers will tend to frown upon that.

I took the opposite approach and did my co-op terms at a total of 2 companies. The advantage there is that while I experienced fewer workplaces, I actually got to do real, productive work at both locations. Some portion of co-ops find that their employment is squandered on meaningless drudge work, which isn't much of a resume-builder.

That sounds like it went well for you. It's all about finding the right balance, right? Personally, I wouldn't want to change co-op jobs every so often, but having one job for the whole co-op program doesn't sound appealing.