1. International Co-op Students Challenges and Opportunities Darlene O’Neill, Manager, Career, Co-op and CES Fanshawe College Lori Elliott, Associate Dean, Faculty of Business Sheridan College

2.  Fresh perspectives for employer and the institution  Very high levels of engagement and commitment to finding co-op opportunities  Fun to work with Opportunities

3.  Run specialized programming: bootcamps, extra prep course  Bring in speakers/coaches from their native culture  One on one coaching  Specialized workshops  Junior student buddy/mentors Challenge: Cultural Competency

4.  Partner with community immigrant services and have them do a session(s) with staff  Specialized PD for staff (cultural EQ)  Student mentors (same culture)  Providing a mentor from country of origin  Peer connections  Learning from Canadian peers Challenge: Cultural Competency

5.  Discussion of importance of educating employees  Canadian “politeness” versus being directional, straight forward with consequences  PD sessions on Canadian norms and Canadian values and expectations  Workplace culture and professionalism in workplace – in development  Employers on campus – weekend sessions, specific information sessions for each group  Mentor Challenge: Cultural Competency

6.  One on one - time consuming  International centre  Booklet - handbook on ‘how to’  Senior student/buddy – country of origin  Information session for ethnic groups with specific details  Mentors Challenge: Cultural Competency

7.  Pre-entry testing and interviewing  Use work study students/Peer Mentors to provide extensive 1:1 mock interviews  Use on line tools such as Interview Stream Challenge: Language

8.  Social mandatory discussion classes (minimum five classes, 90 minutes in English)  Writing centre (students helping international students)  Encourage volunteer to practice English  One on one guidance  Partnering with employer who hire specific international students  Video tape students and give feedback Challenge: Language

9.  UBC sets language requirements  PD sessions partnered with local students – practice  Intake interview process – take language course  Collaboration with Career Services (resumes and cover letters)  Use work study/mentors – mock interviews Challenge: Language

10.  Pre-entry testing and interviewing needs to be more stringent  Language centre to work with students to meet higher criteria  Minimum five sessions of ninety minutes by ESL as part of the requirement from co-op. Some students keep going for up to ten sessions (even 15+). Sessions are about talking in English with others – get them to practice Challenge: Language

11.  Tough one  Encourage car pooling  Encourage local on bus route job searches  Positions with staff bussing available  Scooter and bicycle  International license pre coming to Canada (in English Challenge: No drivers license

12.  Recruiters  Reality of program and job requirements  Standard information so students know what to expect  Meeting with co-op team to engage and make sure all students are aware of requirements and expectations  Campus hiring shuttle drivers  Ask employers participation to offer rides and such Challenge: No drivers license

13.  Encourage on-campus involvement such as volunteer or co-curricular experiences  Encourage campus partners to hire for work experiences  Volunteer  Social  Competitions  Non-related  Work experience is valuable Challenge: Lack of work experience (Canadian or other)

14.  Focus on mining skill statements and recognitions from existing experiences  Applied education activities within programs  Encourage off-campus volunteer  Community encouragement, partner with multi- cultural association  Fundraising events, volunteering with organization. Focus on culture coaching Challenge: Lack of work experience (Canadian or other)

15.  Create volunteer fair (Niagara College)  UBC Career Services = Work experience on campus  Work to learn/work study jobs. Career Services subsidies  Work 10 hours per week  Encourage students to participate in cultural associations  Join professional association as student to gain skills and focus  Change name to Canadian name Challenge: Lack of work experience (Canadian or other)

16.  On campus volunteer events  Campus/faculty campus partners to hire for work experience  Focus on skills and how to transfer to workplace  Within the resume, students write a summary on who they are, some of their skills, etc. Challenge: Lack of work experience (Canadian or other)

17. Fraud – Fake co-op opportunities. Indian students going to Indian employers and will work for free on non-approved co-op terms. Huge need to audit and follow-up in order to approve Challenge: Lack of work experience (Canadian or other)

18.  Communicate, communicate, communicate – Pre- admission sessions  Build strong relationships with International Office  Provide recruiters with clear Co-op communiques Challenge: Mismatch of expectations

19.  Not using words like guarantee “placements”  Special circumstances ‘rules changed’  Information to recruiters  International department needs to understand and duplicate standards  Communication, information, policy enforcement  Information sessions Challenge: Mismatch of expectations

20.  Try to manage expectations  Policy  Create increased accountability for their own job search  If possible have satellite EO office on site for job development Challenge: Focus on graduate employment

21.  Task force to establish policy  Create increased accountability for their own job search  Engagement is protected by using a contract signed by the student Challenge: Focus on graduate employment

22.  Customized programs and classes for International students  Small group advising  On line workshops available for review, review Challenge: More preparation time and demands