Co-operative education , or co-op, allows you to apply what you've learned in class and put it into practice within an actual work setting. Co-op is a great way for you to find out what jobs you like and the companies you enjoyÌýbefore you even graduate. It'Ìýallows you to network for full-time positions.
As a Computing and Financial Management (CFM) student, you'll gain invaluable industry experience with up to two years of paid work before you graduate, setting you up for success in the Financial Technology, finance, or technology industry.
Co-op sequence
Throughout your studies, you will combine in-class learning with on-the-job experience after your first year of study with co-op. This will allow you to apply what you've learned in class to the working world and apply what you've learned in industry to your studies. By the time you graduate, you will have completed 5-6 work terms and gained up to two years of paid experience.
In CFM, you will automatically be put into a co-op sequence. Your co-op sequence outlines your scheduled study and co-op terms. It is designed to ensure that you can fit in your co-op requirements and limited-term courses.
It may be possibleÌýtoÌýchange your co-op sequenceÌýbut it mayÌýdelayÌýyour graduation. Consult with your academic advisorÌýto make changes.
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F | W | S | F | W | S | F | W | S | F | W | S | F | W |
| 1A | 1B | WT1 | 2A | WT2 | 2B | WT3 | 3A | WT4 | 3B | WT5 | 4A | WT6 | 4B |
| F = Fall term (September - December); W = Winter term (January - April); S = Spring term (May - August); WT = Work term |
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Preparing for co-op
The co-op program at À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ is designed to simulate the full-time application and employment experience. You will actively be involved in the job search process. Starting in your 1B term, you'll participate in professional development (PD) courses to learn how to design your resume, apply to jobs using our À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Works, job database system, and participate in interviews. Through the CFM program, you'll be invited to attend our Co-op Prep Session event in the fall to learn from other CFM students on how to be successful in finding work. You'll begin to apply to jobs as early as January for spring term.
How co-op works
The co-op program at UÀ¶Ý®ÊÓƵ will actively involve you in the co-op search process. The skills you'll learn from this experience will prepare you for your future full-time job opportunities — and give you an edge over the competition.
| STEP 1 | Prepare a concise and professional résumé (with the help of manyÌýco-op supports). | |
|---|---|---|
| STEP 2 | Take your onlineÌýprofessional development course - PD 1. | |
| STEP 3 |
Read job postings onÌý, the University's job database system, and apply to positions of interest - make sure to customize your resume for each application. Ìýare hosted on campus throughout the term for you to learn about opportunities and network with potential hiring managers. Login to your À¶Ý®ÊÓƵWorks for a calendar of events. |
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| STEP 4 | Attend interview(s) with employers that have selected you.Interviews mayÌýtake place in person at theÌýTatham Centre (TC)Ìýor online. SomeÌýtravel may be required. | |
| STEP 5 | If you’re ranked,ÌýrankÌýthe interview(s) you had in order of personal preference.Ìý | Ìý |
| STEP 6ÌýÌýÌý Ìý ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý |
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Important dates and information
Stay informed onÌýimportant datesÌýsurrounding co-op postings and closings and check your University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵÌýemail andÌýÌýregularly for messages from Co-operative Education.
Co-op requirements
To graduate with a Bachelor of Computing and Financial Management (BCFM) degree, you will need to satisfy threeÌýrequirements for co-op.
- 5–6 co-op work terms
- 5 PD (professional development) courses
- PD1 — taking in your 1B term
- PD11 — taken in your first co-op
- Ìý3 more PD courses of your choosing — takenÌýin yourÌýnext subsequent co-op terms
- 60% minimum overall average each term to maintain co-op eligibility
Professional development (PD)
Professional Development (PD) courses will help you to learn or enhance new skills to improve your success in the workplace. These courses will allow you to make connections between your workplace, academics and career.
You can choose your remaining three courses from theÌýPD course catalogue.ÌýCFM students are not required to takeÌýPD 10 - Professional Responsibility in Computing.
Sample CFM co-op jobs
The benefit of the CFM program is that you can explore a variety of co-op positions in the computer science, finance, or business world as you'll have the relevant skills for these kinds of roles.
- C#-Java-Scala Developer, Bank of America
- Asset Management Intern, City of Vaughn
- Test Automation Intern, Ford Motor Company of Canada Limited
- Finance Co-op Student, Mattamy Homes
- Software Engineering, Cloud Security, RBC Financial Group
- Solutions Developer (Data), Shore Consulting Group
Enterprise Co-op (E-Co-op)
If you are interested in growing your own ideas and business, you can receive co-op credit while building your company through E-Coop offered by the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business. E-Co-op is open to all students with any type of business concept: no-tech, low-tech, high-tech, service, consulting and more.
If you are interested in growing a business but are still looking to develop your ideas, you can seek mentorship and guidance throughÌýÌýand theÌýConrad Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology Centre. You may also be interested in taking entrepreneurship classes as your electives or pursuing theÌýMinor in EntreprenurshipÌýas part of your studies.
The most common co-op positionsÌýfor our students are Business Technology Analyst, Data Analyst, Developer, Full Stack Developer, Investment Analyst, QA Analyst, Software Developer, Software Engineer, Technical Systems Analyst, Web Analyst and Web Developer.
Our students are employed most commonly at the Bank of Montreal, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, CPP Investment Board, DBRS Limited, Deloitte, Facebook, Morgan Stanley, National Bank Financial, NexJ Systems Inc., OMERS, Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, RBC Financial Group, Scotiabank, TD Bank Group, and the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ.
The Computing and Financial Management students we’ve hired from the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ provide a fantastic fit, a great blend of technical, analytical and business skills – ideal for driving the transformation to a mobile-first, cloud-first world at Microsoft Canada.
Co-op support
You'll have lots of guidance to help you navigate co-op and many resources to help you find the job(s) that you're looking for.Ìý
Resume critique
Seek help with the format, layout and language of your resume to attract top employers.
Attend a workshopÌýorÌýone-on-one appointmentÌýwith a Career Advisor to learn the first steps in building a resume and make changes as you build your skill set.
Get theÌýWriting and Communication CentreÌýto look over your resume to check for grammar, tense and flow. You want to avoid having your resume trashed because of a typo
Interview prep
Practice your interview skills and get feedback on your answers, rate of speech, and body language.
Attend a workshopÌýorÌýone-on-one appointmentÌýwith a Career Advisor for tips on interview best practices and try out a mock interview before the real thing.
Job searching
Look for future co-op positions by logging onto yourÌý. The University has over 6,700 partners with employers looking to hire! Tailor your resumes for any jobs that you find interesting to see if you get selected for an interview. You can also look for work on your own throughÌýÌýor other job search engines - just make sure toÌýget your position approved.
Ask questions
For all other questions relating to co-op, you canÌýcontact your co-op advisor. To connect, select "send a message" on À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Works.
Before you start searching for your first co-op job, your co-op advisor will reach out to introduce themselves.ÌýCo-op advisors are aligned with each faculty and know about your academic program, co-op journey, transferable skills, and job opportunities. They are dedicated resources to help you succeed through your recruitment and co-op work terms.