1. THE CO-OP ADVANTAGE: NOTES FROM A NATIONAL PANEL SURVEY ALEX USHER HIGHER EDUCATION STRATEGY ASSOCIATES University of Waterloo Waterloo, Ontario – September 12th, 2012

2. Data Sources  Some data comes from the annual Globe and Mail survey (30- 38,000/year, all institutions)  Most comes from HESA’s CanEd student panel; 8,000 and 10,000 members from across Canada, surveyed 8 times per year.

3. Co-op student in CanEd sample Varies between 8-12% of total 27% Each in Business and Engineering 19% Science, 15% Arts 8% Health, 5% Education

4. Understanding the co-op difference  Co-op students differ from general population not just in the type of program but also in distribution of field of study  Need to distinguish between differences driven by program and those driven by field of study

5. Demographics  Co-op skews male (53% vs. 40%) and visible minority (28% vs. 19%)  No difference in socio-economic profile  No difference on most personality traits  Significantly more likely to be attending PSE for career reasons; much less likely to be interested in grad school

6. Choosing an institution  Much more likely to say they chose a school based on employment considerations (41% vs 25%)  Twice as likely as other students to say choice of institution influenced by a teacher (20% vs. 11%)  Less likely care about campus size (45% vs. 32%)  Less likely to expect to work independently (44% vs. 59%) or interact with teachers (24% vs. 30%)

7. Satisfaction  More likely to think their school has a sense of community  Slightly higher levels of satisfaction, holding FoS constant  Slightly more likely to recommend their school to others

8. Future Work and Finances  More confident about finding work and repaying debt  Significantly more likely to have entrepreneurial ambitions (41% vs 25%)  Attracted to low-cost jurisdictions  Work-life balance aspirations similar to other students

9. Summer Work  65% work for a new employer in the summer (vs. 42%)  Wage premium varies from 30-80%, depending on FoS.  Avg = $720/week (vs. $423/week)  Work far more likely to be related to FoS

10. Summer Work/Study Relationship

11. The Work-Learning Experience  Jobs which combine school and work thought to be far more rewarding than other kinds of work  But to what extent is it co-op, specifically, which is adding value? Are there other kinds of work where students can get similar kinds of rewards?

12. Work Experience

13. “My Field of Student was Best Possible for My Job” – Latest Unstructured Work Experiences Summer JobIn-School JobVolunteer Education15%12%48% Visual & Performing Arts8%15%6% Humanities8%12%10% Social Sciences5%6%18% Health &Related Fields19%27%6% Business19%22%7% Physical & Life Sciences and Technologies15%17%22% Math & Computer Science26%42%0% Engineering & Architecture23%35%11% Agriculture & Environmental Sciences19%6%8% All Students16%19%16%

14. Work Has Positive Impact on Critical Thinking & Problem Solving Skills

15. Work Provides Better Understanding of Concepts Learned in Class and their Real-World Application

16. Work Improved Knowledge and Technical Skills in Areas Related to Field of Study

17. Work Provided a Better Understanding of General Workplace Culture, Norms and Behavior

18. Work Improved Inter-personal & Teamwork Skills

19. Work Gave Me A Better Understanding of What I Want to Do With My Life

20. Work Will Make It Easier to Find a Job After Graduation

21. Work Will Make It Easier to Find a Job in My Field of Study After Graduation

22. THANK YOU! Alex Usher: ausher@higheredstrategy.comausher@higheredstrategy.com http://higheredstrategy.com/blog/