I didn't apply for co-op when I applied for Engineering last May. Is there any way I can apply for it this semester, and take the courses/sessions, and still be able to apply for a position for over the Summer Break?

There might be. But, alot of postings for the summer session are being posted now and end at the end of january. So go into the ECCS office and see if they have any sessions that end before jan so you can complete the course. Also make sure they say you will see postings when you go in

Okay, thanks! Do a lot of first-years get co-op placements, or only a few? I would understand upper year students being picked/preferred over first-years, but I hope it's not a minuscule amount that get placements. Cause $100 for not getting a placement is a lot. =/

Originally Posted by TedMosby

Okay, thanks! Do a lot of first-years get co-op placements, or only a few? I would understand upper year students being picked/preferred over first-years, but I hope it's not a minuscule amount that get placements. Cause $100 for not getting a placement is a lot. =/

Sorry to break the news to you, but upper-years do get huge priority, and getting a job the summer after first-year is almost unheard of. The only co-op job you might get after first-year is one that doesn't actually have any technical aspects, like working for Venture camp in the summer.

It only makes sense though; if you're an employer and you've got a legion of desperate students looking for a job, you'd hire the most experienced ones first, then start working your way down. When you think about it, during the first hiring stage (ends around February 19th) you don't even know which discipline of Engineering you're going into yet.

On the plus side, you don't have to get 1EE0 done now, but it doesn't hurt to get it out of the way. I think there are always sessions running, so your options are pretty wide. I don't know the specifics though.

I believe the $100 is charged at the beginning of the school year so you won't have to pay anything until next September, and the chances of you getting a job after second year is much higher.

Alright, thanks! I guess a normal summer job will do.

Yeah, i dont know anyone who got a coop job last year. Hopefully this year we get jobs. Make use of that $100 we spent

Don't be too discouraged - I got a co-op placement after my first year, and have a few friends who also did. It all depends on what kind of experience you want. (lol, and I guess luck, and where you look.)
You also have the option of finding a position for yourself, and then seeing if it will count as co-op! (ie: OSCAR is noooot your only resource)

Well, this guy I know who got a co-op job in his first year engineering. He had a 12 average and it did not involve any technical work but more like checking work done by others. Hired by hydro one.

Originally Posted by Disney

Don't be too discouraged - I got a co-op placement after my first year, and have a few friends who also did. It all depends on what kind of experience you want. (lol, and I guess luck, and where you look.)
You also have the option of finding a position for yourself, and then seeing if it will count as co-op! (ie: OSCAR is noooot your only resource)

I would be interested to know what these other resources are.

well networking is always a good one (family, friends, profs, anyone really), and there's emails that go out suggesting positions (i've gotten a few from women in engineering in the past), and there's always people that go around to classes and advertise jobs (especially for the summer).
and as for finding one yourself, its surprisingly easy to just go on people's websites and send out emails asking if they would be interested in having a coop student, if you are interested in their work (i've only done this for lab/research work though). This can lead to an interview, or more information about how to get one, or even just expand your network:p Also, (if you can't get a position) some people are willing to give tours and such if their work is interesting to you, and may tell you to contact them again in later years.
also, i've been told that you can literally just ask ur profs if they want help in their work/research (although, i've never tried this)
and in coop class, i'm pretty sure they said if there is a company you want to work for, you can check out their webite for job information too.
i guess these things take more time than looking on oscar, but for the stuff i've done, i've found it to be worth it:p