Kathryn Patrick, the Asper Co-op Student of the Year for 2008 and recipient of an honorable mention for the national Canadian Association for Co-operative Education Student of the Year award.

Post-secondary students looking for a leg up in today’s uncertain job market should consider enrolling in a co-op program, a University of Guelph (U of G) researcher has found. Graduates of co-op programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom education are more likely to find full-time work and earn more money than their counterparts in conventional programs, according to the paper published recently in the Journal of Vocational and Educational Training.

“Co-op programs work,” said U of G sociology professor David Walters, who co-authored the study with David Zarifa of Statistics Canada. “They work better in some areas than in others, but most people who graduate from co-op programs are better off on average than those who graduate with a conventional degree or diploma.”

Competitive Edge

Two participants in the Co-operative Education Program run by the Asper School of Business confirm that work terms have given them an advantage as they plan their careers.

Kathryn Patrick, the Asper Co-op Student of the Year for 2008 and recipient of an honorable mention for the national Canadian Association for Co-operative Education Student of the Year award, enjoyed the challenge of a wide variety of responsibilities. “Each of my co-op placements has challenged me beyond my wildest dreams,” said Kathryn. “I have done everything from developing an advertisement seen in an international computer graphics magazine, to developing advertising packages for world-class sporting events, to presenting a development plan to a national senior management team. The co-op program has given me three things: confidence, a passion for marketing, and optimism for a bright future. I am forever grateful.”

Jesse Perry, a double major in marketing and management of organizations, completed all three of his work terms in the commercial programs department at Manitoba Hydro and, after graduation, will begin full-time work for the company. “What a great way to get to know an employer!” he said.

Three-way partnership

The Asper School runs the largest co-op program offered at the University of Manitoba. A three-way partnership between students, the university and the community, the program enables students to obtain their degree while gaining an additional year of work experience in their chosen field. This work experience creates a solid connection between the university and the community that is vital in contributing to the dissemination of knowledge and research, and to ensuring the retention of talent within Manitoba, which leads to increased prosperity for everyone.