It is when you mix work with studies. My university has three trimesters of four months each. January - April, May - August, and September - December. When you study regularly, you usually do two trimesters a year, from September to April, and then take the summer off. Of course, you can work during the summer if you want. Co-op gives you a higher degree though, because you alternate work and study semesters. Four months work, four months study, four months work, four months study, etc. To complete a four year degree takes five years then, but you graduate with two years of work experience. (Remember, the summer holidays fall away, hence the two years work experience.) Students are required to submit work reports at the end of each work term. To graduate you need 5 or 6 or so work reports. This system also allow you to: - try different jobs - get to know lots of people from different companies - move around as many jobs are located in the United States and other parts of Canada - earn money WHILE you study. I earn enough money to pay *all* my tuition and accomodation for the next trimester at school. - professional development I love co-op. Just about all students these days in IT universities in North America do it co-op. Finding a job is much easier too because the employers come to the campus. They will post job descriptions and if you want to apply you put your "package," (a resume, cover letter, etc) into a mail slot. The company then decides who they want to interview, and they will then interview and hire you on campus. We have companies from all over the world here at Waterloo. Microsoft hires exclusively from Waterloo. My one friend got hired and they are paying him, a third year student, US$4,200 a month + accomodation + travel expenses to work in Seattle, WA. I'm going to try to get a job in Alert, up in northern Canada just because I want to visit the north pole. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
thanks Jerrek. informative. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! your friend gets 4200 dollars/month? Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! the north pole would be pretty cool. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
