Graduate with more than a degree

Picture this: You’re in your third year. Some classmates are polishing up resumés to try to get their first job in the field after graduation, but you’ve already finished an eight-month co-op term, building real-world accounting skills, and will soon graduate with a full-time job offer waiting for you.

That’s not fantasy. It’s the reality for many students who choose to try out co-operative education, otherwise known as a co-op.

To explain how a co-op really works, five experts weigh in: Conan Daly, Employer Relations Specialist, and Bryce Dodd, Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Specialist, from the University of Calgary; Melanie Tymofichuk, Work Integrated Learning Programs Lead from the University of Alberta; and Susan Roulston, MyExperience Transcript (MET) Advisor, and Stacey Gaudette-Sharp, Assistant Dean, from the University of Lethbridge.

What is a co-op?

At its simplest, a co-op is a way of combining your academic studies with meaningful, paid work experience in your field of study. Instead of waiting until graduation to get your “first real job,” you gain that experience along the way and, often, in more than one role.

“Students go on an approved paid work term with our support and work full time,” Conan explains. “We help with any issues, employer-or student-based. Ultimately, the student gets a co-op notation on their degree. That recognition on your transcript shows employers you went beyond the classroom to build real-world skills.”

Stacey describes a co-op as a full cycle of learning. “Go into the real world, test yourself, and reflect on how you’re progressing and the skills you’re developing,” she says. “And then getting paid to do all this amazing learning is just the cherry on top.”

Susan’s definition is straight and simple: “It’s really a way to just test-drive your degree. Try it before you buy it.”

How is a co-op structured?

Most co-op terms run for four to eight months. Some last longer, giving you more time to build confidence, sharpen your skills, and figure out what kind of work excites you and means the most to you. Students work full time in roles related to their field and then return to school for the next academic term. Because of these alternating work and study terms, it takes students who opt for a co-op longer to complete their degree. However, the added real world–experience is well worth it.

Did you know? A co-op can potentially qualify towards the eight months of Foundation Work Experience required in the CPA Program!

Many complete several work placements before graduating, gaining a year or more of meaningful experience along the way. “Students alternate between work and school terms, often accumulating 12 to 16 months of experience,” explains Melanie. “Some take on two or three different roles, so they get to try multiple career paths before committing. You might spend one term in tax, another in industry, and another in financial advisory—each showing you not only what you can do, but what you enjoy.”

When you graduate, you’ll have more than a degree; you’ll have real stories to tell, professional connections who know your work, and a resumé that already stands out.

How do I find a co-op placement?

In some ways, co-ops work like any other job: employers post opportunities on career portals and job search platforms, and students apply. However, when you choose the co-op route, you’re not in it alone. Your university’s career services team is in your corner, providing training and direct support, including resumé and cover letter workshops, mock interviews, and one-on-one coordination to guide you through every step of the process.

Conan and Bryce emphasize that every role goes through a quality check. Career services teams ensure postings are legitimate, safe, and relevant to your studies. As a result, you’re not competing for random part-time jobs—you’re applying for meaningful, career-building positions that align with your academic goals and prepare you for your future profession.

“We also spend a lot of time building partnerships with employers,” Susan says. “We invite them to networking events, so students can connect before they even apply. That way, when it’s time to submit applications, they already have some face time with potential employers.”

When should I start thinking about a co-op?

Stacey clears this one up quickly. “We really want [students] to start early, early, early,” she says. “Explore co-op in your first year, apply in your second term, and then build multiple work terms into your program.”

In other words, don’t wait until the end of your studies. If you start early, you could graduate with more than a year of hands-on experience—and that’s a big advantage when employers are hiring.

What fields tend to be available through co-ops?

Accounting and finance are major players. Some public practice firms use co-ops as a pipeline for future hires, but co-op opportunities also exist in government, non-profits, tech, and more.

“We see fantastic relationships with accounting firms and Chartered Professional Human Resources, but we also work across faculties,” says Stacey. “Almost every student at the University of Lethbridge can access co-op, not just business or science.”

Melanie adds, “Even within accounting, there are so many different areas: audit, tax, industry, financial advisory. A student might do one term in each and graduate with a well-rounded skill set. That experience can even change the courses they take back at school.”

Top 10 reasons to do a co-op

1. Gain real-world experience
2. Develop career skills
3. “Audition” your future employer
4. “Audition” FOR your future employer
5. Earn a higher salary when you join the workforce*
6. Start your career with a job offer*
7. Grow your network
8. Earn while learning
9. Receive support from your post-secondary institution while working
10. Demonstrate how you’ll go beyond your degree

*While not guaranteed, students who do a co-op usually start with a higher salary and a job offer since they’ve already proven themselves in the “real world.”

What are the biggest benefits of a co-op?

Apart from getting paid to work, some of the biggest benefits of doing a co-op include:

• Real-world experience: You see how accounting works in practice, not just in theory
• Networking: You build relationships with professionals who may become future colleagues or mentors
• Clarity: You figure out what you like and what you don’t

Stacey has seen this transformation first-hand. “At the end of a four- or eight-month term, students have changed so dramatically,” she says. “They’re more confident, more skilled, and have a clearer sense of direction.”

Conan and Bryce also stress that the benefits go beyond skills on paper. A co-op is about building momentum. “Students go on a work term with our support, and they stay full time,” Conan says. “By the time they graduate, they already have a resumé that stands out plus a notation on their degree that employers notice.”

“It’s not just about getting experience,” Bryce adds. “Employers who see a student succeed on a co-op term are far more likely to bring them back as a full-time hire.”

How can I stand out when applying for a co-op?

Employers aren’t just looking for perfect grades. They want motivated, adaptable students who show initiative. That drive can come from anywhere—a part-time job, volunteering, involvement in clubs and competitions, and elsewhere.

“A retail or serving job gives you transferable skills like teamwork and customer service,” says Melanie. “Involvement in student clubs or case competitions shows leadership and drive.”

“Employers tell me, ‘I can train technical skills, but I can’t train work-ready skills,’” says Stacey. “Coming to meetings prepared, communicating clearly, problem-solving in teams—those make you stand out.”

Conan and Bryce add that standing out often starts well before the interview. A strong resumé, polished cover letter, and professionalism in every interaction matter. “We vet all the jobs, but students also need to show they’re ready,” says Conan. “That means being proactive, responding on time, and showing employers you take the opportunity seriously.”

I’m on the fence—is it really worth it?

It’s normal to feel unsure! Maybe you’re worried about the application process, or the workload, or questioning if it’s worth delaying graduation—since students who take a co-op typically graduate later than those who don’t due to the work and study terms. But the people who work with co-op students and employers every day say the same thing: the benefits far outweigh the effort.

“Honestly, what do you have to lose?” asks Susan. “You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”

“I actually did co-op in my undergrad,” says Melanie, offering a personal perspective. “It was such a valuable experience that it led me to come back and work in this field.”

If you’re curious about a co-op, drop by your school’s career office or send them an email. They love helping students find their path. Advisers like Conan, Bryce, Melanie, Stacey, and Susan are there to guide you, from discussing your career plans to connecting you with employers.

Why wait to start your career? Future you will thank you.

Myths and misconceptions about co-op

Myth: A co-op is unpaid like a practicum.
Fact: A co-op is always paid, professional experience.

Myth: A co-op is only for engineering or science students.
Fact: A co-op isn’t limited to labs or hard hats. “It’s for all students,” says Stacey.

Myth: You can only do a co-op in your fourth year.
Fact: Waiting until your fourth year may actually mean you miss most of the opportunities. Start thinking about it in your first year!

Myth: The career office will assign me a co-op job.
Fact: A co-op is competitive, just like the real world. “You still apply, interview, and earn it,” says Melanie.

Myth: A co-op is just like any other summer job.
Fact: Most summer jobs give you money and unrelated experience; a co-op gives you money, related experience, a network, and often, a job offer before you graduate.

Myth: Employers only look at grades.
Fact: Employers want more than grades; they’re looking for curiosity, professionalism, and “work-ready” skills.