Â鶹AV

Â鶹AV.CA / Electrical and Computer Engineering / Undergraduate Studies / Program Information & Curricula / Software Engineering Co-op / Information for Students / General Information

Roles & Responsibilities

Â鶹AV

The Software Engineering Co-op at Â鶹AV is an academic endeavour that integrates relevant work experience into the student’s study program through four mandatory co-op work terms. Co-op employers participate as partners and co-educators, demonstrated through active involvement in the student’s work experience in the form of training and evaluating the student worker. The Co-op team assures students have access to appropriate resources and coaching to succeed in their co-op work terms.

Â鶹AV is a member of the  (CACEE). The relationship between the Software Engineering Co-op team, the students and the employers participating in recruiting and co-op work terms are guided by, but not limited to, the guidelines outlined in the .

Student Responsibilities

The Â鶹AV Engineering Software Co-op aims to prepare students for their future careers by acquiring practical experience in real world situations. As a co-op student, you will participate in four co-op work terms over the course of your degree to develop skills and knowledge, and define professional goals.

Academic Responsibilities

It is important to understand your student rights and responsibilities, academic integrity and the Faculty of Engineering's Code of Ethics.

Prior to the co-op work term, you will:

  • Register for the appropriate co-op work term course on time.
  • Understand that the co-op office cannot guarantee a job placement and that you are responsible for securing your co-op job placement.
  • Adhere to the sample schedule to ensure timely completion of the degree and discuss any deviations from sample schedule with an academic advisor.
  • Understand the hiring timelines and prepare accordingly.
  • Inform yourself of the resources available to help with the job search process including:
    • Attending the necessary professional development workshops to help with CV and cover letter writing, interviewing and networking skills and any other workshop to add to the job search tool-kit.
    • Making use of the drop-ins and appointments at the Engineering Career Centre to have CVs and cover letters reviewed.

In terms of the co-op job offer you will:

  • Submit a copy of the offer letter to the co-op office for review.
  • Sign and return the offer letter to the employer prior to the start of the co-op work term.
  • Honour your commitment to the employer. Once you have accepted a job offer (verbally or in writing) you will stop looking for work and decline other offers.
  • If after accepting an offer, you decide to withdraw that acceptance, you will (1) no longer be eligible to receive credit for ECSE 201, 301, 401, or 402 in the impacted term, (2) have your myFuture access restricted, and (3) be required to meet with a SE Co-op Advisor.

During the course of the co-op work term you will:

  • Comply with company regulations policies surrounding confidential/proprietary information.
  • Act as an ambassador of Â鶹AV and the Software Engineering Co-op program.
  • Regularly check your Â鶹AV email for communications from the Co-op team.
  • Focus on applying the learning goals and objectives set at the beginning of the co-op work term.
  • Record major work tasks, assignments, and accomplishments; this will serve to stay organized and focused and will be useful for final assignments and final employer reviews.
  • Complete and submit all required forms and assignments on time.
  • Work with the employer to complete and submit the co-op work term evaluation form before the end of the term.

Employer/Supervisor Responsibilities  

The Â鶹AV Engineering Software Co-op program aims to prepare students for their future careers by acquiring practical experience in real world situations through four co-op work terms. By hiring a co-op student/intern, the employer agrees to take on a training role by helping the student develop their skills and knowledge, and to define their professional goals.

The commitment as an employer includes:

  • Providing an official job offer letter that includes: Job title, address of work, start and end dates, hours per week, name of supervisor and rate of pay.
  • Providing a full-time work term relevant to their training for a period of 12 to 16 weeks.
  • Paying the student a fair wage.
  • Having a work plan in place with clearly defined objectives.
  • Reviewing the students’ work regularly and delegating progressively more challenging work.
  • Assessing the students’ work at the end of each work term.
  • Treating students in the same way as other employees in matters of rules, regulations and discipline.

Institution's Responsibilities

The Software Engineering Co-op team strives to prepare students for successful work terms and to transition successfully into the workforce by providing opportunities to transform classroom learning experience into practical knowledge over the course of four co-op work terms.

The Software Co-op team is committed to:

  • Providing quality jobs for all levels of co-op and publishing them on the career portal.
  • Maintaining, enhancing and building new relationships with relevant industry partners to provide students with various opportunities.
  • Providing a wide range of resources to prepare students for the job market such as professional development workshops, online resources and individual appointments.
  • Hosting career related events to help students identify job options and potential career paths.
  • Maintaining contact with students and employers throughout the co-op work term.
  • Providing advice and support to both students and employers.
  • Coordinate job postings, interviews, job offers and acceptance as needed.
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