Explore careers, gain experience and earn money through North America's largest co-op program.
Our students are some of the best and brightest, and our employers know it! One thing is for sure: co-op at Waterloo exists because of YOU and your talent. Now that you're here, we're committed to helping you have the most positive co-op experience possible.
So, what's co-op like?
"When I came to Waterloo, I didn’t know what I wanted to do and I felt so behind. The Waterloo co-op program is really great to get an idea of different roles and using that knowledge can be useful to figure out exactly what you really enjoy doing."
“That's something that I'm very appreciative to have co-op for because we only have four-month time intervals in these positions to try out the job and the company, instead of being locked in for a year or more.”
"A valuable lesson I learned from this experience is to take pride in your major; passion transcends traditional expectations. Co-op has given me invaluable insights and practical learning that extend beyond my classroom learning."
Find your co-op job
There are many ways to find a co-op job! Many students start their search on WaterlooWorks, but there are other options to consider to help find a job that fits your goals and meets the requirement for co-op credit.
Supports and resources
Need help navigating co-op at Waterloo? Co-op can be challenging, but we're here for you every step of the way. Check out our online supports and if you have any questions you can connect with your co-op advisor.
News
Students share three secrets to being change makers in a successful co-op work term
By: Mary Lynne Bartlett (she/her)
At the recent Employer Impact Conference: The power of change makers, four Waterloo co-op students shared insights on what it meant to them to be change makers.
Finding purpose through co-op and Indigenous identity
By: Christie Zeb (she/her)
This Indigenous History Month, we share the story of Ethan Gardner, a Waterloo Psychology co-op student, who found a way to give back, grow and honour his Mi’kmaq roots during his co-op work term.
An Indigenous student’s journey of reconnection and environmental advocacy
By: Emily Totzke (she/her)
Ojibwe student, Samantha Terry, reflects on rediscovering her Indigenous identity, thriving in co-op roles and building community.
Blog
Decoding bacterial defence systems and building a future in biochemistry
By: Lauren Ballard | 3.5 min read
Sam Fairburn (they/them) is a fourth-year Honours Biochemistry student in the Faculty of Science. Sam shares their diverse co-op experiences across government, industry and academia fields. They also discuss their most recent work term where they had the opportunity to contribute to the discovery of novel phage defense genes.
Unlocking the mysteries of memory
By: Alessia Apa | 4 min read
Alessia’s co-op journey dives deep into Alzheimer’s research, making a real impact in neuroscience research.
Navigating the future of communications and corporate reputation
Callie Sweet (she/her) is a second-year Arts and Business student majoring in Communication Studies. Callie shares her work experiences at EY Canada in corporate reputation and executive communications, highlighting her hands-on experience with emerging technologies and artificial intelligence (AI).