FACULTY OF ARTS

TRANSITION TO WORK

Faculty of Arts Co-operative Education Program

CONGRATULATIONS! • Forward Copy of Letter of Offer to

Coordinator• CreateWork Term Sequence in

CareerLink

NEXT STEPS – COOP OFFICE• Send Welcome Letter to Employer• Register you in Co-op Course

NEXT STEPS - STUDENT

• Once Registered in a Co-op Course the University Considers you a Full Time Student

• You will be Assessed One Half Course Fee

• You are Allowed to Register into one Academic Courses - although this must not interfere with your work schedule

STUDENT STATUS

• Necessary for every placement• To be completed within 2 weeks

of start date• Guidelines and submission

through Blackboard • Should follow SMART format• Specific / Measurable /

Attainable / Relevant/ Time Bound

LEARNING GOALS

SITE VISIT

• A meeting with Coordinator , Student, Employer, usually separately, to ensure success of placement and address any concerns

• To be scheduled by student mid-way through each four month placement

• Appointment times will be available through CareerLink and should be at convenience of supervisor

STUDENT WORK TERM ASSIGNMENTS

• Reflective Analysis Report• Post Work Term Skills Assessment Part

A&B – Optional• PowerPoint Slides (2-3) (for Integrative

Session)• Updated Resume• All Assignment Guidelines on

Blackboard• Due last day semester of work term

(Dec 31, Apr 30, Aug 31)

EMPLOYER REQUIREMENTS

• Completion of online evaluation - link to be sent by Co-op Coordinator

• Evaluation due last day of semester- April 30, August 31, December 31

• Student must receive a minimum of satisfactory to receive Credit grade for term

INTEGRATIVE SESSION

• Mandatory Component of Work Term• Scheduled, in CareerLink, within 2 weeks

of end of each semester• This is an opportunity for all Co-op

students to share experiences and NETWORK

• Event is scheduled in early evening and pizza and pop are provided

OUT OF TOWN PLACEMENTS

• Determine accommodations needs and make travel arrangements asap

• Review and arrange any necessary travel/visa/work permits

• Maintain existing support network via Skype, phone, email

• Develop new network with co-workers, new contacts

FINICIAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Student Loans – if on a placement of over 4 months contact (Finance and Awards) to advise of Work Placement and confirm student status

• Scholarships and Awards - confirm any changes as a result of Co-op Placement

• Parking – reserve your spot if necessary• Opt- in –complete these options as per

each regular academic semester

ON THE JOB

• Transition from school to work can be uncomfortable and stressful

• The first days/weeks are a huge change from student to employee

• Everyone takes time to adjust• Although everything is new at first you

will adjust and start to know your role• Use a notebook to take notes to help

limit asking the same questions!

FIRST DAYS• Bring ID/SIN#, banking information• Confirm hours of work, dress code• Determine how appointments, sick days to be

handled• If flex-time offered be sure to be available when

supervisor or team works• Read, sign and follow any confidentiality

agreements• Make a good impression – smile, eye contact,

shake hands and try to remember names!

• Communicate with supervisor, in person or via email

• Ask for and respond to feedback• If work not challenging use initiative to suggest

additional tasks• If workload overwhelming let supervisor know

you are challenged with meeting deadlines• Accept projects and challenges but be sure to

meet commitments and keep supervisor up to date with any setbacks

SUCCESS AT WORK

• Always read before hitting send, and include any attachments

• Use clear and descriptive subject lines• Sign off formally following format used by

organization• Keep content brief and organized in

paragraphs• Organize Inbox by utilizing folder system• No emoticons or slang• Reply and acknowledge emails asap

EMAIL ETIQUETTE

NEW ENVIRONMENT

• Observe and follow office business etiquette

• No personal communication, facebook, etc during work hours

• Ensure adherence to all FOIP rules and regulations

• Take advantage of opportunity to meet new people – clients, co-workers in other departments

• If invited, attend any social, volunteer or training events to get to know your team

• When appropriate, ask about other areas and departments of interest and any potential professional activities

NETWORKING

• Managing Working• Receiving Feedback• Handling Conflict• If you have any concerns contact your

Coordinator – don’t wait till the site visit• Co-op Coordinators are your support for a

successful placement

COMMOM CHALLENGES