Recognizing 30 years of connecting students and employers
A smooth transition from classroom to workplace is the goal of every graduating student. The University of Ottawa’s CO-OP program helps make that goal a reality by offering students the knowledge and skills they need to achieve workplace success and get a head start on their careers.
Third-year social sciences student Danielle Kirby, who is building early success with a CO-OP term at Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), says the program readied her for the workplace with advice and training in key areas such as resumé building, job-searching techniques and interview skills.
"This program prepares you for the process of being selected by an employer and allows you to step right in and perform," explains Kirby, who is working on policy development at PWGSC’s Real Property Branch, which manages one of the largest and most diverse real estate portfolios in the country.
With this kind of preparation, it’s little wonder that the CO-OP program, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2010, boasts a 98% placement rate for nearly 2,000 active student participants per year across 73 programs and seven faculties.
Linda Séguin, director of Policy and Governance at PWGSC, says student CO-OP success is great news for employers.
"Bringing in well-educated, enthusiastic workers like Danielle is crucial to PWGSC’s future," emphasizes Séguin, a University of Ottawa MBA program alumna. "With the boomer generation retiring, CO-OP recruitment is becoming an increasingly important part of our knowledge transfer and succession planning process."
By Greg Higgins
Published: March 2010