Student Benefits & Responsibilities
Benefits
Science Co-op is much more than a short-term job placement solution.
Co-op education provides students with the opportunity to:
- Earn while you learn – Gain 12 months of paid, relevant work experience related to your degree of study.
- Develop your professional network and potential mentoring opportunities.
- Further develop your job-search skills – learn how to write effective resumes and cover letters; as well as improving your success in job interviews.
- Enhance your marketability and employability after graduation.
- Opportunities to work across Canada and around the world.
- Receive a Co-operative Education designation on your degree parchment and transcript.
Responsibilities
Co-op students are representatives of Science Co-op and the University of Manitoba and should conduct themselves accordingly in a professional manner. Students must abide by all Science Co-op policies and procedures; as well as those of the Faculty of Science and the University of Manitoba. Student responsibilities include the following:
The Job Search:
- Attend all mandatory pre-employment career workshops and attend any meetings requested by the Science Co-op office.
- Maintain full-time status and good academic standing in your program of study.
- Invest time to create and tailor quality applications (resume, cover letter) and prepare for interviews.
- Actively apply to co-op positions posted on careerCONNECT.
- Students should also be conducting their own independent job search.
- Pay the required co-op work term fee once your co-op position is confirmed.
- Complete any employer onboarding activities in a timely manner.
- Always demonstrate the highest degree of professionalism during your interactions with prospective co-op employers and the Science Co-op office.
On The Job – The Co-op Work Term:
- Apply your classroom learning in the workplace.
- In conjunction with your supervisor, set realistic and achievable learning objectives and goals for your co-op work term.
- Exercise the highest degree of ethical conduct in the workplace.
- Maintain and respect employer confidentiality and any access given to proprietary data, information and technology.
- Abide by the policies and procedures of your employer.
- Accept constructive feedback from your supervisor/employer in a positive manner.
- Be a productive and responsible employee and take initiative as appropriate.
- Inform the employer and your Co-op Coordinator should any concerns/problems arise regarding your co-op work term.
- Attend a co-op site visit with your supervisor and Co-op Coordinator.
- Complete your co-op work term assignment by deadline date.
- Use your co-op work term as a learning opportunity – as well, have fun!