SLAIS Co-opErative Education Program
Students in the MLIS, MAS or Dual are eligible to apply to the School's co-operative
education work experience program which is facilitated by the Faculty
of Arts Co-operative Education office. Applications are accepted annually in September; students who begin their studies in January are encouraged to apply before entering the program so they may do a first co-op term as early as September after starting their studies.
Co-operative Education is a learning program whereby through
pre-employment workshops, career coaching with co-op staff, and
workplace experiences, students have the opportunity to combine real
world experience with their classroom training and develop employment
skills specific to the SLAIS professions. Students compete for co-op
jobs, which are posted on a password-protected database; thus,
participation in the program does not guarantee a co-op placement. Note that some jobs, such as those within the Canadian government, are restricted to Canadian citizens because of security clearance requirements, some summer positions are restricted to those between the ages of 16-30 due to youth employment funding programs, and that on average 30% of SLAIS co-op jobs will require a move to a city outside of the Lower Mainland.
The University and employers co-operate to provide students with an opportunity to learn in a workplace setting by alternating practical, paid work experience in various fields of interest with their academic studies. Co-op graduates will be well prepared, academically and professionally, for their future careers.
Applying to Co-op
Information Sessions are held in the beginning of the September term.
There is one application time for the program in September of the
school year. The application deadline is typically in October and all
students who meet the eligibility requirements are admitted into the program.
Work Terms
Students may begin their first co-op workterm once they have completed at least 21 credits, and before they begin their last term of study. Students may elect to take a term of
work lasting either four months or eight months, or may do two
different four month work terms. Students are paid for their work according to industry standards
which will vary according to the type of library, archival or
information organization. Students do not receive academic credit
for their work, but participation in the Co-op work program is
noted on
transcripts.
Students on a co-op work term are expected to focus on the placement instead of their studies. This includes time for after-work social activities, professional development, etc. A student on a full-time co-op placement may enrol in no more than
3 credits of course work (including audit) per co-op term. For students on a part-time co-op placement, the following guide is used: Up to 10 hours a week: 12 credits per term; 11-16 hours per week, 9 credits per term; 17-23 hours per week, 6 credits per term.
For more information on this program please contact the the SLAIS
Student Services Coordinator, Michelle Mallette [phone: 604-822-2461
e-mail: michelle.mallette@ubc.ca] or the
SLAIS Co-op Coordinator for the Arts Co-op Program, Anna Jubilo [phone:
604-822-4223; e-mail: anna.jubilo@ubc.ca].
Application
forms, deadlines, and further information are available on the Faculty of Arts Co-op web site.
