Getting Started Steps To Your Successful Co-op Melanie Beyak Co-op Advisor Office A218 – 29 519 542 7751 Ext 3040 Melanie.Beyak@lambtoncollege.ca

What is Co-op? Co operative Education is a program which alternates periods of academic study with periods of work experience so the student can apply their classroom learning in appropriate business and industry settings Positions are approved by Co-op & Career Services The student is engaged in productive work not only observation The student’s progress is monitored by Co-op & Career Services The student is supervised and evaluated by the Co-op employer

Your Co-op Work Term Credit Requirements Completion of contract – start/end date (May– Aug) Completion of hours 35 Hours per week X 16 weeks = 560 Minimum Requirement = 420 Completion of required paperwork at the end of your term (as part of your work term report) Record of attendance Supervisor meeting form Employer evaluation NOTE: students must work a minimum of 30 hours per week and no more than 40 each week will be counted for co-op

Student Responsibilities Have a valid co-op work permit Paid your fees Check e-mail regularly for communication from your Co-op Advisor Conduct your job search Lambton College Postings (myCareer) Networking Outside opportunities Approach employers directly Keep a professional online presence (facebook) The final responsibility for securing employment rests with the student

Note Lambton College DOES NOT guarantee that students will secure Co-op positions Every effort will be made to assist the student in securing a co-op opportunity when the student participates by Utilizing the services provided by the myCareer Centre

Co-op Eligibility Have at least a passing grade in all program courses in semesters prior to the determination of eligibility; Be enrolled in, or have successfully completed, all program courses in the current semester at the time of application for the co-op positions; Have a program cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above at the end of the semester prior to the determination of eligibility.

Co-op Eligibility Co-op Eligibility has been determined and those individuals who (according to my records) have not met the criteria will be emailed at their STUDENT EMAIL ADDRESS. If you receive an email and feel this is in error, you need to see me personally immediately.

Steps to Co-op Success Key Marketing Materials Is your product packaged well? Neat, error free and presented well, are you identifying what the employer is looking for? Key Marketing Materials Cover Letter Resume Interview skills Business cards/elevator pitch Program capabilities (BMAN, BMIB, BMHR) Previous evaluations/Letters of recommendation/References Ontario tax credit Supervisor Guidelines

myCareer Job Postings Eligible students will be able to view the jobs and apply through myCareer Follow instructions carefully in regard to deadlines, application process, required documents, etc.

Job Acceptance Clarify all details! Job description Hours Salary BEFORE YOU ACCEPT YOUR JOB Clarify all details! Job description Hours Salary Contract dates!! Conditions of employment

Job Acceptance Once you accept you are committed to that position - No Exceptions Complete in full the online co-op work term record and submit through the myCareer system for approval within 24 hours of job acceptance

Co-op Success DURING CO-OP WORK TERM: Complete required documentation during the work term (record of attendance, supervisor meetings) Advise employer if late or sick Contact your Co-op Advisor for unusual circumstances or difficulties Remember that at all times you are representing your program and Lambton College Honour your co-op/contract dates – no changes

Company Policies and Procedures You MUST abide by ALL company policies and procedures while on co-op If you don’t understand ASK QUESTIONS Any disciplinary warning or action MUST be taken seriously If you are fired you will FAIL co-op and you will not be able to graduate from your program While on Co-op you are still a Lambton College student

myCareer Centre Services/Resources myCareer Centre Homepage Co-op FAQs Tips for on the Job Success Job search, networking, linkedIn info, and much more myCareer Centre Job Posting site Jobs (co-op and career services) Events/Workshops Appointments Employer Showcase (employers on campus recruiting students) – events Co-Curricular Record myCareer Facebook page Reminders of employers on campus, job fairs etc. Career Coach Resume builder Optimal Resume Sample resumes and cover letter, practice interview, helpful videos and much more

Log in with your Lambton Username and password

Make sure you click on “All Active Co-op Jobs”

Name your document the company name (i.e. “lambtoncollege” Upload PDF document with no space in title Retype document name above browser box under “Name”

Questions? Thank You! Next workshops: Resume/cover letter – Feb 1 11:30 F101 -samples, checklists, do’s & don'ts… Job search/interviews – Feb 8 11:30 F101 -LinkedIn, behavioural based interview q & A’s… Thank You!