Co-op education opportunities in Computer Science abound! Currently, demand exceeds supply, which equals opportunity for you!

Seize an opportunity!

Computer science students may gain real work experience in the information technology industry while completing their academic studies by entering our Co-operative Education program. In addition to their academic studies, CS Co-op students complete four work terms (14-16 weeks), with an option for a fifth work term. Two or three work terms occur over the summer months, so that the Co-op degree option can be completed within five years. Work terms provide students with opportunities to learn new technologies, and gain valuable contacts with computing professionals. The Co-op program is popular with students, since they get valuable professional work experience which helps them acquire good jobs upon graduation.

Will Co-operative Education give me an advantage?

Some benefits associated with Co-operative Education are that it enables students to:

• Gain professional experience and to acquire new technical skills
• Improve their written and oral communication skills
• Improve their academic performance as the workplace provides new learning opportunities
• Find employment after graduation
• Finance your education
• Work in a variety of private- and public-sector organizations and to travel to new places

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What will it cost? What will I earn?

Students pay regular University fees for their academic courses. There is a one-time fee to enter the Co-op program, and a registration fee for each work term. Each of these fees costs approximately the same as a University course.

But, the good news is . . . the money you earn for work terms helps pay for your university education. University students can depend on making $10 per hour. As you progress through the program, you very likely will earn a higher wage. The table below illustrates your earning power.

How does the Co-op program work?

UPEI offers Eo-operative Education programs in Computer Science, Physics, and Business Administration. The University has a Co-operative Education office which assists students throughout the program. The Co-operative Education co-ordinators work with students and employers to facilitate the process of securing work terms. The Co-op coordinators contact employers seeking relevant jobs for students, and the office staff assist employers with the posting of jobs and the scheduling of student interviews.

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A sample timetable for a student to do the Co-op program follows:

In this scenario, third-year academic courses are split over years 3 and 4 of the program. Other scenarios are possible. Your academic program is co-ordinated through the Computer Science Director for Co-operative Education who assists you in developing a study and work plan.

Who will hire me?

There are opportunities to work for IT companies both on and off Prince Edward Island. Our students are employed by large and small companies, by private- and public-sector organizations. While the majority of our work terms occur on PEI, students also work for companies throughout the Atlantic region, in other parts of Canada, and even internationally. It is even possible for enterprising students to start their own business through an entrepreneurial work term. A sampling of companies that hired our students include DeltaWare Systems, Atlantic Turbines International, Veterans Affairs Canada, the PEI Government, Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, Timeless Technologies, Island Services Network, Atlantic Wind Test Site, IBM Canada, Cognos, Nortel Networks, and Microsoft.

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How do I find a job?

Work terms are co-ordinated through our University Co-operative Education office. Student jobs are posting on a regular basis, and students apply to these jobs through the Co-operative Education office. As well, students are encouraged to contact employers seeking their own work terms. In this case, work terms are approved and co-ordinated through the Co-operative Education office.

When can I apply?

Students apply during the first semester of their second year of study. During the second semester, a series of professional workshops is provided to prepare students for finding jobs and entering the workplace. Students apply for their first work terms during this period, and are out working during the summer months after their second year of study.

But it’s not too late to apply during your third year of university. In this case, students typically do their first work term after their third year and complete two consecutive work terms.

Will I be accepted?

We accept students into the Computer Science Co-op program provided they maintain a 65% average. We check both a student’s overall average and his/her Computer Science average.

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Do you want more information on Co-op?

For more detailed information on Computer Science Co-operative Education, check these web pages:

• UPEI Co-operative Education
• Course Information for Computer Science

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