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PRINT VERSIONFrequently Asked Questions
For Business Administration & Insurance Diploma
- What is Co-operative Education?
- What will I learn in "Orientation to Co-operative Education"?
- What kinds of work term opportunities may be available?
- What about expenses?
- Will I be paid on a work term?
- What is the process for securing a Co-operative Education work term?
- Who is responsible for what? Student, Employer, Faculty and Coordinator roles
- How do I contact my Co-operative Education Coordinator?
Co-operative Education is an enhanced academic program that alternates classroom learning with paid work experience. To graduate from a Co-operative Education program students need to maintain a minimum 2.0 grade point average, successfully pass their academic courses and receive a "Pass" in the following Co-operative Education courses:
- COOP 0001 - Orientation to Co-operative Education
- COOP 0002 - Work Term I
- COOP 0003 - Work Term II
There are strict guidelines and policies in a Co-operative Education program that will be reviewed in detail during the "Orientation to Co-operative Education" course.
In addition to core courses, the Co-operative Education Coordinator will meet with you at designated dates and times to present a series of pre-employment sessions that will assist you in preparing for employment in your industry. Topics covered during these sessions include the following:
- Self-assessment
- Resume and cover letter development/enhancement
- Interview techniques and preparation
- Self-marketing
- Business acumen and expectations
- Industry-specific networking panels
Industry guest speakers and networking opportunities will provide you with invaluable industry information and career knowledge. The course is graded on a Pass/Fail basis.
As a student of the Co-operative Education program, you have the opportunity to participate in two career-related work semesters, which allow you to gain real-life experience. Many of the work term opportunities are offered in Calgary, but others will be offered throughout Alberta and across Canada. Students should be prepared to consider all available opportunities.
Business Administration & Insurance Co-op students have successfully completed work terms in positions such as:
- Underwriter Trainees
- Customer Service Representatives
- Claims Trainees
- Broker Assistants
- Junior Risk Analysts
By starting to plan now, you can be financially prepared for your work terms. Expenses include:
- Co-operative Education Course Fees (see Mount Royal Calendar), related fees and insurance.
- Re-location expenses which will be incurred by the student when accepting a work term position outside of Calgary. Planning for travel expenses to and from the workplace location and paying for living expenses (e.g. accommodation) the work term should be budgeted for. Some work terms may require the use of a vehicle.
Yes, you will be considered a full-time contract employee while on your work term and will be expected to abide by the employer's employment policies and procedures. The average salary ranges between $10 -$15/hour.
After you have successfully completed the "Orientation to Co-operative Education" course and met academic requirements, you will be eligible to apply for Co-operative Education work term positions through the Career Services department. Employers select candidates to be interviewed. Offers of employment will be extended to the student via the Career Services office or by the employer directly.
Positions are posted by the Coordinator based on industry participation and labour conditions. Students are encouraged to network and self-market and will be assisted by the Coordinator. Please note that work term opportunities or placements are not guaranteed.
Click here for more academic program information ... Insurance Program
Students participating in Co-operative Education are responsible for complying with policies and regulations of both the University and Career Services Office. Active participation and attendance is critical to student success.
Students are expected to read, understand and adhere to the policies, procedures, deadlines and operation of the Co-operative Education programs by reading the Co-operative Education student handbook, schedules, information pamphlets and by attending pre-employment sessions.
As positions are posted by the Coordinator based on industry participation and labour market conditions, Co-op opportunities cannot be guaranteed. With the assistance of the Coordinator, students are expected to actively participate in the job placement process of self-marketing.
It is expected that students will:
- Be aware of and adhere to the policies, procedures and deadlines of the Co-operative Education programs by reading handbooks, schedules and information pamphlets, and attending information sessions.
- Be an active participant in the Co-op job search process from beginning to end, while understanding that Co-op opportunities cannot be guaranteed. Students who choose to be selective when applying to posted positions may be required to explore Student Identified Opportunities or defer their work term.
- Be prepared to accept Co-op opportunities in locations other than Calgary.
- Register and pay fees for Orientation to Co-operative Education and each work term as outlined in the Mount Royal Calendar.
- Participate in mid-term and final performance evaluations conducted by the employer and be responsible for submitting them to the Co-operative Education Coordinator.
- Conform to all of the conditions, rules and policies that apply to employees of the Co-op employer, including (but not limited to) reporting structure, job description, use of computer and internet technology, work hours, coffee breaks, overtime, health and safety policies and dress code.
- Honor all commitments agreed to with the Co-op employer.
- Return Job Start Verification form to your Co-operative Education Coordinator by the end of the first week of the work term.
- Prior to mid-term assessment, have prepared personal goals and work report outline and projects as assigned by Faculty.
- Submit assignments as set by Co-operative Education Coordinator.
- Participate in the Back-to-Campus Debriefing as defined for your Co-operative Education program.
- At all times keep the Co-operative Education Coordinator informed of where you are and what you are doing with respect to your progress in the programs.
Student Steps if Work Related Issues Arise
If at any time students experience issues/problems during the Co-operative Education experience, contact the Co-operative Education Coordinator as soon as possible.
Step 1: Students must immediately relay any concerns of an operational nature such as job description, hours of work, renumeration, employer evaluation, etc. to the Co-operative Education Coordinator. The student will be advised/coached to speak directly to the employer in an attempt to clarify and problem solve concerns.
Step 2: If Step #1 does not resolve the issue, it is the student's responsibility to again contact the Co-operative Education Coordinator directly to discuss the situation and attempts made to resolve it. The Co-operative Education Coordinator will then initiate contact with the employer based on the student's concerns.
Step 3: At the discretion of the Co-operative Education Coordinator, meetings may be arranged by the Coordinator with the employer and student. If the student is not prepared to engage in this problem-solving process, then the Co-operative Education Coordinator will not be able to formally address the student's concerns with the employer.
Expectations of Co-operative Education Employers:
- Provide a challenging, professional co-op experience related to the student's academic studies.
- Provide an orientation to the workplace, including safety policies and procedures.
- Provide an immediate supervisor to assist and monitor the student on the job.
- Discuss work term expectations with the student including tasks, projects, deadlines, policies, etc.
- Complete an evaluation of the student's work performance at the mid-term point and the end of the work term and discuss them with the student. Mount Royal provides the evaluation form. We also encourage employers to provide ongoing verbal feedback to the student.
- Allow the Co-operative Education Coordinator to conduct a brief mid-term visit at the worksite.
- Contact the Co-operative Education Coordinator if any questions or concerns arise.
- Encourage the student to complete his/her program of study as intended.
- Follow all safety rules and meet provincial legislation, regulations and codes.
What Co-operative Education Employers Can do if a Student is not Meeting Expectations:
- The student should be provided an opportunity to learn from the experience and to improve their performance. In this regard, the employer is encouraged to meet with the student to discuss the situation, clarify goals, provide guidance where necessary, and establish a timeline for improvement.
- If the concern persists, the employer is asked to document the issue and to contact the Co-operative Education Coordinator for support and/or intervention. Subsequently, if the situation cannot be resolved satisfactorily, the employer has the right to terminate the student's work term.
Co-operative Education Faculty Liaisons:
- Communicate with the Career Services Department and program Faculty
- Assist in promoting Co-operative Education
- Participate in screening Co-operative Education applicants
- Develop and evaluate technical work reports
- Confer with Co-operative Education Coordinators concerning specific student status issues, exemption requests and procedural interpretations
The Co-operative Education Coordinator
- Liaise among students, employers and faculty and administration to promote and maintain work experience partnership
- Provide industry-specific information and resources, professional development and pre-employment preparation, in collaboration with Faculty, to help students prepare for and learn from work term experiences
- Develop and maintain suitable Co-operative Education job opportunities for the program
- Develop and evaluate work term assignment guidelines
- Facilitate the Orientation to Co-operative Education course
- Monitor the work terms of an assigned group of students to ensure quality outcomes are achieved for all stakeholders
- Recommend that employers discuss performance evaluations with the students
- Conduct a mid-term worksite visit with student and supervisor
- To raise student awareness of what it takes to perform well in the workplace, and to demonstrate those skills and attitudes throughout their interaction with Career Services personnel and faculty, and during work terms
- To ensure that students represent themselves, their program and Mount Royal well, in order to build and maintain effective employer partnerships with the business community
- Monitor registration status of students for Co-op work terms
Co-operative Education Coordinators are assigned to specific programs. Depending on the time of year, Co-operative Education Coordinators are often out of the office pursuing employment opportunities and monitoring students out on work terms. Therefore, it is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with your Co-operative Education Coordinator's office hours. After hours, you can leave a message on his or her voice mail. If you should encounter any difficulties in contacting your Co-operative Education Coordinator, leave a message with Career Services.
|
George E. Cooper |
403.440.6844 | gcooper@mtroyal.ca |
| Career Services | 403.440.6307 | studentjobs@mtroyal.ca |
| Career Services Fax Number | 403.440.6655 |
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T3E 6K6
403.440.6111
