Co-op or Intern?

Depending on the industry you are likely either familiar with co-operative education or internships.

For those who may feel unsure as to which type of opportunity they would like to offer a TWU student the following are a few ways to differentiate between the two options.

Co-operative Education

• Full-time paid employment
• Usually for 4 months at a time (e.g. spring, summer or fall)
• Some employers require two 4 month work terms back-to-back
• Co-op placements are based on a student's field of study allowing them to put into practice what they are learning in the classroom.
• Students are part of the Co-op Program here at TWU and must complete a minimum of 3 work terms with a maximum of 5 being possible. After completion they receive a notation on their transcript.

Employers interested in posting a co-op job for the first time are asked to read over the "Co-operative Education - Supervisor's Handbook" and contact the Career Experience Office to set-up a proper partnership. To contact either call (604) 513-2017 or email experience@twu.ca

Internships

• Either full-time or part-time (more likely full-time during the summer months)
• Work hours for part-time internships are likely to be more flexible and may only total a few hours a week depending on the employer's need, whether the student is being paid, etc.
• Students may or may not be paid depending on the type of work and industry standards
• In some cases students may be eligible to receive course credit
• While the work experience may be related to a student's field of study it does not have to be

Employers interested in learning more about internships are welcome to call the Career Experience Office (604) 513-2017 or email experience@twu.ca