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

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.

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

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

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

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%)

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

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

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

Summer Work/Study Relationship

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?

Work Experience

“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%

Work Has Positive Impact on Critical Thinking & Problem Solving Skills

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

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

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

Work Improved Inter-personal & Teamwork Skills

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

Work Will Make It Easier to Find a Job After Graduation

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

THANK YOU! Alex Usher: