COOP WEP – Workplace Education Preparation
Any Camosun students planning to participate in a co-operative education work term at some point in their academic program must first complete the Workplace Education Preparation course. This prerequisite applies equally to co-op or internship work terms. Students normally take the course in their first year at least one term prior to the intended work term.
Other students enrol in this non credit course simply to enhance their career preparation and job search skills or, in the case of Professional Golf Management students, to meet additional CPGA requirements.
Using a format of information, self assessment, and application, this course provides you with a broader understanding of the local and provincial labour market, insights into employers’ expectations specific to your program of study, and the skills to compete effectively in the hidden job market.
You’ll get ample opportunity to analyze your own skills and abilities and learn how to apply that understanding when preparing and developing cover letters and resumes. Mock interviews are a very popular aspect of this course, and many of our local employers enjoy assisting with these, providing both valuable feedback and networking opportunities for students. Through the interviewing workshops, students have an opportunity to practice interview techniques in three different scenarios.
While the course is led by employment facilitators from the Co-operative Education and Student Employment department, students will have an opportunity to meet a Co-op field instructor (CFI) from their program area in one of the workshops. Co-op field instructors are faculty members from the specific program areas who guide and support each work term, make site visits, and ensure that the learning outcomes and assessments are completed. The CFI will give students an introduction to what they can expect while on a work term.
The Workplace Education Preparation course is a blend of 10 online modules and seven* “face to face” workshops facilitated by Co-op employment facilitators. The course typically takes seven weeks to complete, and it is offered at various times of the year to meet specific program needs. The workshops include job search, resume and cover letter preparation, and interview techniques. Students receive log in instructions to the Desire to Learn online site upon registering for the course.
* Number of workshops may vary with program
Outline of Workplace Education Preparation (COOP WEP)
- Module 1 Welcome to COOP WEP
- Module 2 Co-op/Internship Postings and Self Assessments
- Module 3 Building Your Resume and Skill Statements
- Module 4 Targeting Your Resume and Cover Letters
- Module 5 Job Search and Self Marketing
- Module 6 Networking: Tips and Tools
- Module 7 Interviews
- Module 8 Mock interviews
- Module 9 Workplace Issues, Rights and Responsibilities
- Module 10 Completing a Successful Work Term
- Workshop 1 Resume and Cover Letter
- Workshop 2 Job Search, Development and Networking
- Workshop 3 Interviewing (Individual)
- Workshop 4 Interviewing (Panel)
- Workshop 5 Interviewing (Employer Mock)
- Workshop 6 Completing a Successful Work Term
Some form of workplace education preparation is standard at most colleges and universities offering co-operative education in Canada. All normal Camosun College tuition and registration procedures apply. Please refer to the College calendar for details.