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Faculty of Engineering
UNB Fredericton

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Engineering

Accelerate your career with co-op

What does co-op do for you?

Co-op is a critical part of your academic degree.

Through co-op you:

  • Get experience that pays off in higher earnings and career growth
  • Take what you learn and use it in a workplace
  • Get to practice your technical skills
  • Develop important interpersonal skills
  • Network with a community who will enable your career
  • Gain experience in your chosen profession
  • Earn income to offset the cost of school
  • Increase your understanding of professional development and job ready skills
  • Develop skills for job searches, interviews and making the most of employment

Employers look for co-operative experience and these skills.

When you complete a minimum of 3 Co-op work terms, you graduate with a Co-operative Education Designation which tells employers you will bring a lot of value to their company.

Co-op Program options

You can participate in the Co-op Program as an engineering undergraduate, engineering graduate or science undergraduate student. Explore the options available to you.

Kickstart your future with Engineering Co-op

As a new undergraduate student you can join co-op after your first grades are out in January of the first academic year. This gives you time to settle into your program. Then you can attend an orientation session in January, sign up, and start a professional development course that will prepare you for getting a job. Over the course of your degree work you can do any number of co-op work terms up to a total of 6 for 24-months, a full two years of work.

  • Co-op = experience and a jump start to your career.
  • Co-op = earnings and less school debt.
  • Co-op = networking with people who can help you advance your career.

Benefits of Engineering Co-op

The Co-op Program is here to support you all the way. With a professional development course that will guide you through professional behavior, career planning, resumes, cover letters, interview preparation and money management.

There are employer information sessions where you get to meet potential employers. We provide guidance during the job search and support while working.

You could end up working for one of our top employers:

  • CubeSat NB
  • Enbridge Gas
  • GEMTEC
  • Imperial Oil
  • Irving Oil
  • J.D. Irving – Pulp and Paper Group
  • NB Department of Transportation and Infrastructure
  • NB Power
  • Stantec Inc.
  • TC Energy
  • UNB Department of Chemical Engineering
  • UNB Department of Mechanical Engineering

International work terms are also available!


Confirm your passion and direction with Co-op

As a new graduate student you can join co-op right away in the first term of your first year. Make sure you attend an orientation session at the start of that term, whether fall or winter. Then sign up, and start a professional development course that will prepare you for getting a job.

Over the course of your degree work you can do 1-3 co-op work terms, depending upon your degree, up to a total of 12-months, a full year of work. MEng students can do up to 8 months or 2 terms of co-op. MScE and PhD students can go up to 12 months or 3 terms of co-op. Take advantage of the opportunities available in your degree. 

  • Co-op = experience and a jump start to your career.
  • Co-op = earnings and less school debt.
  • Co-op = experience to inform your academic work.
  • Co-op = networking with people who can help you advance your career.

Benefits of Engineering Co-op

The Co-op Program is here to support you all the way. With a professional development course that will guide you through professional behavior, career planning, resumes, cover letters, interview preparation and money management.

There are employer information sessions where you get to meet potential employers. We provide guidance during the job search and support while working.

You could end up working for one of our top employers:

  • CubeSat NB
  • Enbridge Gas
  • GEMTEC
  • Imperial Oil
  • Irving Oil
  • J.D. Irving – Pulp and Paper Group
  • NB Department of Transportation and Infrastructure
  • NB Power
  • Stantec Inc.
  • TC Energy
  • UNB Department of Chemical Engineering
  • UNB Department of Mechanical Engineering

International work terms are also available!

Please note that all graduate degree programs are approved for co-op except for the Masters of Technology, Management and Entrepreneurship (MTME).


Explore your options with Science Co-op

New undergraduate students are encouraged to first settle into your science degree program before considering co-op. You can join co-op after your first grades are released in January of your first academic year.

You attend an orientation session in January, enroll in co-op and start a professional development course that will prepare you for getting a job. Over the course of your degree work you can do one, or up to a total of 6 terms, a full two years of work on job placements.

By successfully completing 12 months or more of job placements and submitting work-term reports for these placements, you will receive a co-op designation on your final transcript.

  • Co-op work = experience and a jump start to your career.
  • Co-op work = earnings and less school debt.
  • Co-op work = ways to explore career options.
  • Co-op work = networking with people who can help you advance your career.

Benefits of co-op

The Co-op Program is here to support you all the way. With a professional development course that will guide you through professional behavior, career planning, resumes, cover letters, interview preparation and money management.

There are employer information sessions where you get to meet potential employers. We provide guidance during the job search and support while working.

You could end up working for some of our most recent employers including:

  • Atlantic Canada Research Institute
  • BioVectra
  • Bulletproof
  • Canadian Rivers Institute
  • Chinova Bioworks
  • Environment and Climate Change Canada
  • Gemtec Consulting Engineers and Scientists
  • Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Moosehead Breweries
  • Morneau Shepell
  • NaviCare & NB SPOR Network
  • NB Tourism, Heritage and Culture
  • Nepisiguit Salmon Association
  • Picomole
  • Science East
  • Wyvern
  • UNB Faculty of Science research labs

International work terms are also available!


Gain Canadian work experience

As a new international undergraduate student, you can join co-op after your first grades are out in January of the first academic year. This gives you time to settle into your program.

You can attend an orientation session in January, sign up, and start a professional development course that will prepare you for getting a job. Over the course of your undergraduate degree work you can do any number of co-op work terms up to a total of 6 for 24-months, a full two years of work.

As a new international graduate student, you can join co-op when you begin your first academic term. Graduate students can do up to 3 co-op work terms or 12-months total.

  • Co-op = ways to gain Canadian work experience.
  • Co-op = earnings and less school debt.
  • Co-op = experience and a jump start to your career.
  • Co-op = networking with people who can help you advance your career.

For more information on the benefits of the Co-op Program, choose the relevant program from the list above. 


Critical first steps

The critical first step for you as an international student is to get a Co-op work permit from Immigration Canada.

  • This can take several months
  • The Immigration website lists several options and these are always subject to change
  • Check the Immigration website and specifically check about when you apply for a Co-op work permit
  • You may be able to apply for it right away when you submit your student visa application. That is the easiest way to go. Then you can work all through your degree
  • If you did not do that, then apply as soon as possible after arrival in Canada
  • How and when you can apply depends on whether or not you have already got a student visa and if you are already in Canada
  • No matter when you apply for a Co-op Work Permit you will have to demonstrate that Co-op is a part of your program
  • The Co-op office can provide a letter for you to submit if you are an Engineering or Science student
  • Check the options on the Immigration website carefully
  • Delays in getting the Co-op work permit can affect your ability to engage in the Co-op program

If you want help or more information, contact the Co-op office or the International Student Advisors Office.

 


William Sanford, Class of ‘23

During my co-op terms at Michelin I learned many new skills; but the most beneficial are the ones that I could only learn through on-the-job experience. What I enjoyed most was the amount of responsibility I was trusted with as a student.

There was never a project too big or too important for me to participate in; my manager really wanted me to learn as much as I could in the time I was there. I would recommend a co-op with Michelin to anyone who has the opportunity!

Once enrolled at UNB Engineering you can learn more through the MyUNB Intranet.

Contact us

Your co-op journey begins today. Visit the Co-op Office at H107, Head Hall, 19 Dineen Drive, email, or call us at 506-447-3268.