Interactive Arts & Technology Co-op
Working Students
You鈥檝e done it! You鈥檝e secured a co-op work term. Congrats! Your hard work and preparation paid off. Now what?
Co-op is an education program linking your academic studies with your personal and professional development. You鈥檒l want to complete these educational components throughout your work term (yes, they are required!)
Step 1: Register in the Co-op Practicum Course
Enrollment instruction will be provided by co-op office when you secure a co-op work term. Register in the Co-op Practicum Course when your enrollment appointment opens.
Practicum Tuition
Please note you pay tuition ONLY when you have secured a work term. You must pay the tuition for EVERY semester which you are working. Learn more details for Co-op Practicum Tuition here.
Step 2: Setting Learning Objectives
Update your placement details in myExperience and set your learning objectives for each work term.
Step 3. Virtual Site Visit Form
Complete your Virtual Site Visit form on myExperience once your site visit has been arranged.
Step 4. Virtual Site Visit with Co-op Coordinator
Participate in a Virtual Site Visit with the assigned Co-op Coordinator
Step 5. End-of-term Documents
Ensure your end of work term documents are done by set deadlines. This applies to each term you are working on Co-op.
During Your Work Term
After registering for your 3-credit IAT co-op practicum course, you will have access to the Working Canvas Course where there are a variety of assignments to complete throughout the term, such as:
- Creation of at least 3 Learning Objectives
- Participation in a 1 hour site visit meeting with your co-op coordinator
- Submission of a work term report
- Completion of your own self evaluation
Being an "Ambassador for 大象传媒"
You鈥檙e eager to start working in your professional co-op job. As an 大象传媒 co-op student, you will be seen by your employer and colleagues as an 鈥渁mbassador for 大象传媒.鈥� What does that mean?
Your behaviour and attitude on the job may affect the reputation of 大象传媒 and SIAT Co-op. It may impact opportunities for future co-op students. Be professional! Remember the people you work for are your future references. Below are tips from seasoned Co-op students and employers on professional behaviour:
- Treat everyone at the office, at every level, with courtesy and respect, including janitors and receptionists.
- Be on time, even 5 minutes early. It doesn鈥檛 matter that you missed your bus. Catch the earlier bus so that it鈥檚 not a problem. Being on time isn鈥檛 noticed. But being late is.
- Dress appropriately for the office or lab setting. If unsure, talk to your new boss.
- Take a notepad and take notes during any meeting with your boss and colleagues. It shows active listening and respect.
- Be on task. Look for answers and ask questions if you鈥檙e unsure and don鈥檛 know where to look. Your boss is not a mind reader.
- Slow down. Resist the urge to race through your work and move on to the next task. Your boss will appreciate error-free work more than fast sloppy work that has to be re-done.
- Accept a lunch invitation if it feels right. It鈥檚 a great way to make new connections.
- Report to your formal supervisor if you expect to be late or an unexpected emergency comes up.
- No social media at work! This is a big no-no. We hear a lot about this from employers during site visits. They don鈥檛 like it. At all. Unless of course, it鈥檚 part of your new SIAT Co-op job.
- Co-op is part of your education and career. There is formalized feedback to your 大象传媒 Co-op Coordinator during your work term that contributes to your learning and professional development. Make this count; you鈥檒l get more out of your Co-op experience as a result. More on that in the following sections.
Feeling lost or unsure of expectations in your new workplace? Call us! Your Co-op Coordinator is there to support you during your work term. Talk to us if you have questions, concerns, uncertainties.