You should apply to Co-op 2-3 semesters before your intended first work term. This will ideally be when you have between 30 and 80 credits. If you've transferred from another college or university, you should apply as soon as possible.

Communication Co-op provides students the opportunity to work in a variety of areas including, but not limited to: internal/external communications, digital marketing, event planning, technical writing, videography, writer/editor, media relations, marketing communications, research, graphic design, community engagement, project coordination. For a more detailed sampling of what the various jobs involve visit our Sample Jobs page.

Communication Co-op students are needed across all industries including health care, tech, education, and social services, and across all sectors from non-profit to private to government. Some of our regular Co-op employers include: Fraser Health, SAP, CBC Radio, Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association, Westcoast Family Centres, Transport Canada, SFU, Safe Software, and FleishmanHillard HighRoad.

There are many reasons to join Communication Co-op including:

• Develop strong job search skills related to your resume, cover letters, and interviews;
• Receive 1-1 coaching from Co-op staff during your job search and work terms;
• Gain access to hundreds of jobs and employers looking to hire students;
• Try out different types of work, organizations, industries;
• Earn competitive wages while building your resume;
• Graduate with a year of career-relevant experience;
• Build your professional network with industry employers;
• Feel confident in your ability to secure jobs after graduation;
• Pursue opportunities in other cities in Canada and countries around the world

Take initiative to build your experience and skills in writing, social media, graphic design, event planning and other areas you're interested in as soon as you apply into the program or even before you apply. In order to develop skills and experience that can make you competitive: get involved in SFU clubs, volunteer or work part-time, write for the Peak or CMNSU, develop your own creative video, design or social media projects, or complete online tutorials on relevant software or web skills to expand your technical skillset.

The CGPA requirement for Communication Co-op is a minimum of 2.4.  If your CGPA is below 2.4, we encourage you to focus on your studies to bring your CGPA up to the minimum requirement and apply to Co-op when you reach the 2.4 minimum. If you have any questions, please attend the Zoom drop-in hours for new students. The Zoom link is on the Contact Us page.

If you have more than 80 units, you will need to complete a Semester Planner to see if you have space to complete your 3 co-op terms, alternating with your academic semesters and ensuring your last semester before graduation is an academic term. Once you've done so, connect with the Communication Co-op staff to discuss your situation.

Students must complete 3 work terms throughout their undergraduate degree to obtain their Co-op designation. Completing more than 3 work terms is an option that can be discussed with Communication Co-op staff. Masters, second degree, and post-baccalaureate diploma students typically complete 1 or 2 work terms, though please connect with Communication Co-op staff if you fit into one of these student categories.

Yes. International students must obtain a Co-op work permit (this is different from an off-campus work permit). After applying into Co-op, you will receive instructions from the Communication Co-op office in order to apply for your Co-op work permit.

Once you have accepted a Co-op job offer, we will register you in the appropriate Co-op Practicum course. There is a Co-op practicum tuition fee + upass and student activity fees which will be added to your student account. Specific student fees are available on the Student Services Fees & Tuition page. Co-op tuition is generally due on the 7th week of classes.

Co-op needs to take priority during your work term, so we do not recommend taking a course during a full-time work term. If you have a rationale for wanting to take a course alongside a Co-op work term, or if your work term is not full-time, then please discuss this with your Co-op Coordinator.

Note: You will need your work term supervisor's permission to take a course while on your work term. See the Arts & Communication Co-op Seeking Course FAQ page on Canvas for more details.

No, your last semester at SFU needs to be an academic term, not a co-op term.

After you submit your application, you will receive an email from the Communication Co-op office with instructions regarding your next steps. Within the semester you apply, you must complete both an Orientation course and a Prep course on Canvas, followed by attending a Resume Review Session. If you are an international student, you will need to apply for a Co-op work permit. In the following semester, you will apply for Co-op jobs through myExperience in order to secure a placement.

CMNS 110 and CMNS 130 should be completed or in progress when you apply to Co-op. CMNS 120 should be completed prior to your first work term.

Making Co-op applications part of your regular schedule and setting aside time on a daily or weekly basis will help you reach your goals of securing a Co-op. This can take 3-10 hours a week and can be compared to taking another course.

We recommend that students applying for their first co-op term apply to 2-3 jobs per week or 25-30 positions throughout the term, and senior students actively apply to jobs throughout the term.

All Canadian co-op work terms are paid at least minimum wage. The current average wage for communication co-op positions ranges from $20 to $22 per hour. However, wages may vary, with some positions offering lower or higher pay depending on the organization and industry. The wage for each job posting is specified. Compensation for international co-op work terms varies based on the norms of the specific country and organization.

Yes. Co-op positions are available throughout BC, across Canada and all over the world. Out of town postings with our regular Communication Co-op employers are usually posted early in the seeking term. To find out about international job postings in your country of choice, check out the International Co-op website and join the mailing list.

No. Co-op is a competitive program where students apply and compete for jobs. The more effort you put into the job search and job search preparation process, and the more positions you apply for, the more interviews you are likely to get. Likewise, the more interviews you do, the more likely you are to receive a job offer. Co-op staff are available to assist you in all stages of your Co-op work search, and special preparation for your job search is done through the Co-op workshops process, which helps you tailor your resume, cover letter and improve your interview skills. Aside from preparation, the more flexible students are with regard to the work experience they would like to gain and the locations they can work, the more likely they are to secure a position. See question, 'How can I be competitive for Communication Co-op jobs?' for more tips.

Yes. This is called a Student-Developed Work Term. In addition to applying for positions on myExperience, you are welcome to search for your own work term through familly, friends or other search methods. If you're interested in this option, please visit this web page for more inromation.

If you haven't secured a placement within the first three months of the semester, don't worry. Many students find placements in the last month of the semester or even in the first month of the following semester. As a backup plan, make sure to register for classes when your enrolment date arrives. If you still haven't been placed, you can return to classes and aim for a placement in the next term. You won't need to redo any pre-co-op curriculum or reapply to the co-op program.

Yes. Students are not limited to apply only to CMNS postings. We encourage students to view and apply to jobs in Arts, Business, SIAT, Health Sciences. Apply to any jobs you find interesting and are well-suited for.