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About The Co-op Program
- Business co-op process.
- Realistic co-op timeline.
- Important details about co-op.
- Eligibility for the co-op program
Networking
Where to Find Networking Events:
- Kamloops Chamber of Commerce -Helpful if you have a business or were hoping to grow a business: https://kamloopschamber.ca
- Eventbrite- can search events by location and topic
- On Google, search up “Networking events in (location)” to find events near you
- Supply Chain Canada: https://www.supplychaincanada.com/events
- Canadian Marketing Association: https://thecma.ca
- Human Resources Professional Association (HRPA): https://www.hrpa.ca
- BC Economic Development Association: https://www.bceda.ca/summit.php
- Chartered Professional Accountants British Columbia: https://www.bccpa.ca/news-events/upcoming-events/#sort=date&asc=true
- Financial Planning Association (FPA): https://www.financialplanningassociation.org/learning/events/fpa-annual-conference
- International Association of Business Communicators British Columbia (IABC/BC)- a community of professionals working in communication and marketing-related disciplines, sharing knowledge, leading on best practices, formal and informal mentoring and much more: https://iabc.bc.ca
- Chartered Professionals in Human Resources: https://cphrbc.ca/
Some tips and tricks to successfully networking
On-campus:
- Get involved in campus events
- Volunteer on campus
- Join a club https://trusu.ca/campus-life/clubs/directory/
- Become a Future Student Ambassador https://www.tru.ca/future/ambassadors/join.html
- Go to the Job Fair
Connect with:
- People on LinkedIn with similar interests, in the same program or someone in a potential industry/ job that you would like to go into.
- Your professors, friends, family, or others you admire and ask them to be your mentors.
Volunteer in the community:
- Check Career Connections, Indeed and Volunteer Kamloops for volunteer opportunities- https://www.volunteerkamloops.org/volunteer-opportunities/
- Reach out to businesses and ask to volunteer or shadow
How to Apply
- Create an account in Career Connections – Watch a video tutorial here.
- Log in to your new Career Connections account
- Once your account is active, you will have access to Co-op Education, which can be found under My Account on the left sidebar.
- Please complete the online co-op application. All fields are mandatory and must be completed. You will be required to upload a copy of your unofficial transcripts and a draft resume. Post Bacc. students must also upload a copy of their transcripts from their previous institution.
- Submit your application for review. If your application is approved, you will receive an email. Or your application may be returned to you if you are required to submit further information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are common questions, but don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any others
What is Co-operative Education?
Co-op is a program that alternates between academic semesters and paid work experience. Business degree students also gain elective credit towards their graduation. At this time, Post Bacc work terms are considered additive credit.
What is a Work Term?
Students are enrolled in a work term when they accept an employment offer from a co-op employer. Work-terms are 4, 8, 12, or 16 months long. Work terms can be completed back to back or 4 months at a time. Each work-term is evaluated as a suitable learning opportunity by TRU and students continue to communicate with TRU for the duration of their employment.
What is Co-op 1000?
Co-op 1000 is a pre-requisite course that a student must pass before applying for a work term. The course covers career development-related topics and is intended to give students a strong foundation prior to going out on their first work term. Several sections of this course are offered each semester.
How can I achieve Co-op Designation?
To achieve the Co-op designation at Thompson Rivers University, students must complete a minimum number of work terms in their degree. Students in a four-year degree program must complete a minimum of three work-terms. At this time, post bacc students aren’t eligible for a Co-op designation.
How do students find a Work Term?
Students can apply to Co-op jobs that are advertised through Career and Experiential Learning, or find their own work position and have it evaluated and approved as a co-op position. The position must demonstrate a suitable learning opportunity. Career and Experiential Learning supports students in finding work-terms by communicating open positions. However, it is up to the student to follow through with the job search process to secure their own position.