Top Ten reasons to take Co-op

1.  With so many diverse sectors in the economy, choosing a career path can be a daunting task. There is nothing better than co-op to help shine a light on different sectors and career options.

2.   Co-op can provide a better sense of what specific areas within a field of study may interest you. It can,

however, make you realize that the field you’re studying is NOT for you. In that case, co-op can save you from spending a lot of time and money in the wrong program. It’s best to find out sooner rather than later!

3.  Earn while you learn, earn secondary school credits while working at a placement that is in your community. Over 80% of your semester is spent at your co-op placement

4.  The people you meet through co-op, including your supervisor, colleagues, and co-workers make a great foundation for building a professional network that could prove to be indispensable long after your co-op years.

5.  You can use your co-op placement to apply what you have learned in class and in textbooks to a real-world setting. It has also done the reverse, allowing students to apply real-world experiences to in-class discussions and assignments.

6.  Students are evaluated and receive valuable constructive criticism from people other than their teachers, you can use the feedback to help you understand his or her capabilities and limitations.

7.  When it comes time to applying for part-time or summer jobs, the co-op program will give you an advantage over students who haven’t chosen the co-op option. As the job market gets more competitive, it becomes more important to have work experience under your belt to attract employers’ attention.

8.   Co-op is a great opportunity for you to prove your value and true potential to a placement. Along the way, co-op builds confidence and self esteem which can be applied to all aspects of school and personal life.

9.  Each industry has specialized equipment, tools, software, and hardware that is specific to thatfield.  Co-op provides you access to that technical equipment and expertise that may not be available in schools. Why not become trained and be proficient using industry technology!

10.  York Region has a vast variety of co-op programs: Dual Credit, OYAP, Centralized Placements, Specialist High Skills Major, High Performance Athlete, Costa Rica Co-op and the Militia. Select the right co-op for you!