Co-op Education

Experience Matters

The world is constantly changing and you need to be ready for what’s around the corner. Apply your skills, passion and education to a real-world setting through co-op. Leave a lasting impact while creating connections that lead to rewarding results.

You’ll graduate with a competitive edge and practical work experience on your resumé and be on your way to achieving success in whatever you choose to do next.

Why Co-op?

• Develop skills and gain real-world experience.
• Explore your interests by working in different industries and positions.
• Earn money to help cover your expenses.
• Grow your professional network.

How Co-op Works

• Alternate school and co-op work terms, typically working two, three or four co-op work terms throughout your program.
• Get paid while working full time for 12 to 16 weeks per co-op work term.
• Get assistance with career planning, job search and interview preparation.
• Apply to co-op job postings and attend interviews.
• Learn about business conduct and meeting employer expectations.
• Reflect on your learning through performance evaluations and work term reports.

Competitive Admission

Students in the following programs apply to co-op after first year. Admission is based on grades, work experience, volunteer and extracurricular activities, and an interview with the Co-op Office.

• Business Administration (BBA)
• Economics
• Select honours programs in the Faculty of Arts
• All honours programs in the Faculty of Science
• User Experience Design

Automatic Admission

Students in the following programs are automatically eligible for co-op and may register at the end of their first year.

• Business and Computer Science (Laurier) double degree
• Business and Financial Mathematics (Laurier) double degree
• Business Technology Management

Mandatory Co-op

Students in the following programs must participate in co-op as part of their degree requirements.

• Business and Mathematics (Laurier/University of Waterloo) double degree
• Business and Computer Science (Laurier/University of Waterloo) double degree

Average Weekly Salary

Note: Varies based on program, industry and location.

• Arts Co-op: $699-$720
• Business and Economics Co-op: $849–$1028
• Computer Science and Data Science Co-op programs: $809-$1131
• Science Co-op: $699-$720

Sample Co-op Jobs

• Business Development Representative
• Data Analyst
• Digital and Social Media Intern
• eCommerce Assistant Product Manager
• Field Technician
• Financial Analyst
• Full Stack Developer
• Communications Assistant
• Customer Marketing Assistant
• Global Investment Banking Co-op Analyst
• Internal Auditor
• Laboratory Research Assistant
• Private Equity Analyst
• Recreation and Leisure Support Worker
• Research and Policy Intern
• Risk Analysis Intern
• Sales Analyst
• Staff Accountant
• Software Developer
• Supply Chain Analyst

Where Are Our Co-op Students Working?

Accounting and Consulting

• Baker Tilley
• BDO Canada 
• Boston Consulting Group 
• Change Connect 
• Deloitte  
• EY Canada 
• Grant Thornton 
• KPMG Canada 
• Kroll Canada 
• PwC Canada 
• RLB 
• Segal GCSE 
• Starlight Capital/Investments 
• Walsh & Company

Consumer Packaged Goods

• Clorox Compoany of Canada
• George Weston Ltd.
• Henkel Canada Corporation
• Keurig Dr. Pepper (Canada)
• Kruger
• Lactalis Canada
• Loblaw Companies Limited
• Maple Leaf
• Mars Canada
• McCain Foods Limited
• McCormick
• PepsiCo Foods Canada
• Proctor & Gamble Inc.
• Revlon Canada
• Saputo
• SC Johnson Canada
• Smucker Foods of Canada Corp.
• TTI Canada Inc.

Financial Services

• Atlas Partners
• American Express (Amex Bank of Canada)
• BMO Financial Group
• Brookfield Asset Management
• CIBC
• Fidelity Investments Canada
• Foremost Financial Corporation
• Framework Venture Partners
• Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan
• OMERS
• Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan
• Origin Merchant Partners
• RBG Financial
• Scotiabank
• TD Bank Group
• Waratah Advisors
• Whitehorse Liquidity Partners

Health Care and Social Services

• BGC Dovercourt Club
• Extendicare
• Extend-a-Family Waterloo Region
• Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
• Grand River Hospital
• Parkwood Seniors Community/Fairview Seniors Community

Government

• Canada Revenue Agency
• Canadian Security Intelligence Service
• City of Kitchener
• City of Guelph
• Federal Economic Development Agency
• Health Canada
• Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
• Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions
• Ontario Digital Service 
• Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
• Public Safety Canada
• Service Canada
• Statistics Canada
• The Regional Municipality of York

Insurance and Actuary

• AIG Canada
• Aon Canada
• Canada Life
• Chubb Insurance Company of Canada
• Crawford & Company (Canada) Inc.
• Equitable Life of Canada
• Definity Insurance (formerly Economical)
• Gore Mutual
• Liberty Mutual Insurance Company
• Manulife Financial
• Munich Reinsurance Company of Canada
• Sun Life Financial
• The Co-operators
• Trisura Guarantee Insurance Company
• Zurich Canada

Manufacturing and Automotive

• Ford Motor Company
• Hyundai Auto Canada
• Linamar
• Magna International
• Martinrea International
• Nissan Canada
• Pioneering Technology
• Yamaha Motor Canada

Telecommunications and Technology 

• BlackBerry
• Blue Link Associates Limited
• CGI
• Ceridian
• Constellation Group
• Creospark Consulting Services
• Dozr
• HP Inc.
• HubHead
• IBM Canada
• Jonas Software
• Magnet Forensics
• Rogers Communications Inc.
• Samsung Electronics Canada
• ThinkData Works
• Trader Corporation