What is the Engineering Co-op Program? A Guide for Students From a 5th Year Engineering Student (and my tips to land a co-op job)

If you're an engineering student, especially in Canada, you might've heard the term "Co-op" thrown around a lot. It's a big deal, but what exactly is it? Why does it matter so much to engineering students at universities? 

Well, you're in the right place! I'm a mechanical engineering student in my fifth year at the University of Alberta (as of writing), and in this blog, I’m going to break down the essentials of the engineering Co-op program. Whether you're considering joining one or just curious about how it works, I’ve got you covered.

This blog was inspired by my video, be sure to check it out!

Disclaimer: I’ll be speaking from the perspective of a Canadian Engineering Co-op Program from the Univeristy of Alberta, so please be sure to look into the specifics of your own program, but the general idea and structure should be similar.

What is the Engineering Co-op Program?

The engineering Co-op program (also called the Cooperative Program) is a game-changer for engineering students. The program allows you to extend your degree by one year, giving you a chance to gain valuable paid work experience while still completing your studies. So instead of graduating in the traditional four years, you’ll graduate in five, but with that extra added year packed with practical, real-world experience that will make you way more attractive to future employers.

Here’s how it works: In a typical four-year engineering degree, you study in the fall and winter, take a break during the summer, and then repeat the cycle. But in the Co-op program, you’ll have a set organization of study terms and work terms for your 5 years in the program (based on your plan). 

Over the course of the program, you can accumulate up to 20 months of work experience. In my opinion, these 20 months SIGNIFICANTLY differentiates yourself from a traditional degree, and that is true in many employers eyes as well. But the question becomes, how do you get into the co-op program?

How Do You Get Into the Co-op Program?

The process to get into Co-op varies by university, but let’s go over the basics. At my university, we start with a general first year of engineering, where you don’t yet pick a specific discipline (like mechanical, civil, electrical, etc.). After this first year, you’ll apply to a specific program (like mine: mechanical engineering) and choose whether you want to be in the Co-op plan or the traditional route for that discipline. If there are multiple plans for a discipline you’ll choose that too (see what a plan/sequence is in the next section)

Keep in mind that some universities may require a certain GPA to get into the Co-op program, but don’t get discouraged if your GPA isn’t perfect. Sometimes, even if your GPA isn’t up to par, you can still get in. So, if you’re really passionate about joining, shoot your shot!

What Are the Plans/Sequences?

One thing you should know is that the Co-op program isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every university has its own set of "plans" or "sequences" that determine how your academic and work terms will be organized. For example, at my university, we have Plan 1, Plan 2, etc. For me, I’m in Mechanical Engineering Plan 1, where I get a mix of academic and work terms spread out over five years (check it out here)

But keep this in mind when you choose your plan:

• Some plans have longer work terms, while others give you more opportunities to try different industries.

• For instance, in my plan, you’ll get an 8-month work term followed by a 4-month academic term, and later another 8-month work term and so on.

• However, if you choose another plan, like Plan 4, you might have a 12-month work term, which gives you a deeper understanding of one industry, but you’ll get less insightful experience with multiple industries.

So it really just depends on your personal preference and what you are looking for from the degree: do you want to stick around with a company for a while and gain deeper understanding or go around to multiple companies but with a lesser understanding? Something to think about.

The cool part? Some plans even let you break up longer work terms into shorter ones, so you can work for different companies. That flexibility is awesome for gaining diverse experience!

What Are the Interviews Like?

Once you're in the Co-op program, the next step is securing a job. Here’s where things get real: job interviews! Luckily, Co-op job interviews aren’t too different from regular job interviews.

You’ll probably get asked the usual questions—like, “What’s your greatest strength?” or “Tell me about a time you faced a challenge.” But they’ll also ask you questions specific to the type of engineering job you're applying for. For example, if you’re aiming for a technical role, they may throw in a few technical questions. Or a more project management role with ask more project management type questions (obviously).

What’s important here is that extracurriculars can really help you stand out. Join a club, take on leadership roles, and get involved in activities outside of your regular coursework. These experiences help you build soft skills that are crucial for your career and will give you an edge over other applicants. This is something I cannot stress enough. JOIN A CLUB!!! Your ability to work with others is not measured by any numerical data that is captured by your school, but is reflected by what you’ve done outside of school.

And this is what many employers think as well. A 4.0 GPA without any work or extracurricular experience is not as strong an applicant as a 3.6 GPA with tons of experience outside of school. So please, join something.

What Is a Co-op Job Like?

Now, what can you expect from the actual Co-op job itself? Honestly, there’s a huge range of possibilities! You could be working in a lab, traveling to different project sites, working 12+ hour shifts in the middle of the night, or even doing a simple 9-to-5 office job. Remote work is also becoming more common, so you might find yourself working from home.

But remember, your first Co-op job might not directly relate to your discipline. That’s totally okay! My first co-op job was in a civil engineering related position, but I still gained tons of valuable experience regarding company operations, what it’s like on the field, communicating with clients, etc. You’re a student—you’re there to learn. So even if you’re working in a completely different field, you’re still gaining experience, developing soft skills, and broadening your understanding of engineering as a whole. All this knowledge is super valuable as you continue through your Co-op terms.

As you progress in your Co-op career, you’ll start looking for more technical positions, ideally under the supervision of a Professional Engineer (PEng). This is important because working with a PEng gives you the experience you need to apply for PEng certification later on.

What You NEED to Know Before Joining Co-op

Having been through 16 months of Co-op work terms so far, here's my best advice: Never ever ever ever assume anything. You need to ask questions! Always be curious and keep learning. You’re a student, A STUDENT—and people know that. They aren’t going to expect you to know how everything works right from the get-go. They want to see you grow, so take advantage of the opportunity to learn as much as you can during your work terms.

Also, make connections. You never know when someone you meet during a Co-op placement could help you land another job in the future. It’s not just about what you learn in the role; it’s about who you know and the relationships you build along the way.

And who knows, maybe you’re one of those co-op students who ends up loving that company so much you stick with them your entire career. There’s instances where co-op students, not even necessarily in engineering, join a company as an intern/co-op, and stick around and climb the ranks to become the CEO or other company leadership roles. Loyalty does pay off! 

Final Thoughts

The Co-op program is a fantastic way to get a head start on your career as an engineer. You’ll gain hands-on experience, develop essential skills, and make connections that will help you land your dream job post-graduation. If you're considering the program, don't hesitate—start researching your university’s Co-op options today!

Have more specific questions about co-op? I'm offering 1 on 1 Engineering Student Coaching to help those all around the globe through their degrees, but this is really only for those who are serious about their degrees and careers in engineering. You can book an appointment with me here:

Book Now!

So, what do you think? Have you ever considered joining an engineering Co-op program? Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions, and feel free to reach out!