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Co-op Education
Gain invaluable real-world experience, explore career options first-hand, build great contacts and earn credits while getting paid.
Program-specific Co-op
Learn about the co-op program for your specific program.
Computing Science
While not mandatory, students in computing science or software systems are highly encouraged to take advantage of the co-op program while pursuing their studies. The co-op program offers opportunities that enhance a student's employability after graduation.
Engineering Science
Engineering Science’s co-op program provides students relevant job experience which builds on classroom studies. Students complete at least 3 work terms, working in research or industrial facilities, often designing and building real products.
Mechatronic Systems Engineering
Mechatronics students complete (3) three co-op work term semesters, working in research and development, industrial/manufacturing facilities, often designing and building real products.
Sustainable Energy Engineering
All students are automatically enrolled into Co-op when they are enrolled into the Sustainable Energy Engineering program. It is mandatory for students to complete 3 semesters of co-op within their Sustainable Energy Engineering degree.
Mandatory Co-op for Engineering Students
Participating in co-op is mandatory for Engineering Science, Mechatronic Systems Engineering, and Sustainable Energy Engineering students. It provides the chance to work alongside practicing engineers. Often, students design and build real products, gaining an advantage when looking for work after graduation.
CO-OP AT SFU
Co-op lets you enter the workforce after graduation with up to 20 months of practical (and paid) work experience that also earns you course credits. It’s a great way to try different things out and build different skills before choosing which career path you want to follow.
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?
Ask any student to name one of the best and most useful experiences of their program. The chances are they’ll say “co-op” and reel off a host of reasons why.
Here’s our Top 10:
- Put your academic knowledge into practice in a real-world setting
- Explore different career options before you graduate
- Improve your job search skills, including successful cover letter writing and interview techniques
- Build a network of professional contacts
- Add experience to your resume and gain a competitive advantage
- Impress your co-op employer enough and earn a job offer after graduation
- Earn an income while earning course credits
- Help build a strong application for graduate studies
- Gain local, national and international work experience
- Learn important ‘soft’ skills such as time management, communication and workplace etiquette
WHO WILL YOU WORK FOR?
SFU posts jobs from more than 350 active employers looking for students. Imagine adding one or more of the companies listed below to your resume.
- SAP
- Mobify
- Electronic Arts
- Sony Picture Imageworks
- Microsoft
- Apple
- Telus
- BC Hydro
- Svante
- BC Ferries
- Vancouver Airport Authority
Metro Vancouver is home to local and international companies in finance, software development, telecommunications, gaming, bioinformatics and many more. Co-op students have completed work terms in Vancouver and across Canada, as well as internationally in the USA, Japan, France, Austria, the UK, China, Taiwan, Korea and Chile.