is it easy to get a job after first year engineering?? co-op???

Are you asking if its easier to get a job after completing a co-op degree as compared to a normal degree?

If so, then I don't think it will actually make it any easier. Although, this being said, having that extra work experience can only be a benefit (unless you are a terrible employee and get shitty reference letters).

Getting a job is a combination of who you know, and how much effort you put into the job hunt. Doing co-op won't increase your motivation to put more effort into finding a job. It will definitely expand your professional network. And that can definitely help. I've gotten many jobs by simply knowing the right people; and often there are more qualified people applying for these jobs.

So is co-op worth it? I don't actually see any drawbacks to it, only benefits.

I think she's asking if it's possible to get a job or co-op position after first-year :/. It's very poorly worded :S.

It is a lot easier if you wait after your 3rd year, the jobs will be based on your field and interest. Plus if you do 16month co-op after 3rd year you are bound to get a full time by the time you graduate. Mostly is pey program, salary is 25k company and 25k government= 50k annually.

Originally Posted by Bobby66

It is a lot easier if you wait after your 3rd year, the jobs will be based on your field and interest. Plus if you do 16month co-op after 3rd year you are bound to get a full time by the time you graduate. Mostly is pey program, salary is 25k company and 25k government= 50k annually.

Is that the pay during co-op, or after you graduate and are full-time?

Originally Posted by adaptation

Is that the pay during co-op, or after you graduate and are full-time?

That's my pay for the 16 month co-op, after you graduate with the experience, the pay will be a lot more. During your co-op period, try to learn everything about the industry, then by the time you graduate you will have a huge advantage in finding full time.

Originally Posted by Bobby66

It is a lot easier if you wait after your 3rd year, the jobs will be based on your field and interest. Plus if you do 16month co-op after 3rd year you are bound to get a full time by the time you graduate. Mostly is pey program, salary is 25k company and 25k government= 50k annually.

What if you specialize starting in second year o_o, it is still recommeneded to wait until the end of third year even though you're already in your field of interest? Do you recommend an internship or the 4 month summer co-op terms?

Originally Posted by herBs

What if you specialize starting in second year o_o, it is still recommeneded to wait until the end of third year even though you're already in your field of interest? Do you recommend an internship or the 4 month summer co-op terms?

The recommendation is based on the fact that most employers prefer students with more expertise behind them... that is not to say a 1st/2nd/3rd year CAN'T compete with upper year students, its just a tad more difficult.

If you're planning to go into something Electrical related, try Hydro One. They hire first-years and if you pass a test at the end of first summer, you can get re-hired for the following two summers.

Is it easy? Generally no.

Is it doable? I would say yes.

But, you must put in the work required to get a job. This means you need to prepare yourself to excel in every step of the process. Consult resources such as books, co-op office, speak to people, etc.

Good luck

To be honest I wasn't impressed with the co-op "class" that I took to get on OSCAR. I also wasn't impressed with the job offers on OSCAR for a first year student... barely anything even related to Eng. It *is* possible to get a first-year co-op placement, but you'll have to look elsewhere on your own. I applied at about fifteen small engineering or electrical businesses in Muskoka and even Ontario Power Generation with a recommendation from a family friend, and not a single one was hiring this summer.

I remember toward the end of last year someone stood up in one of our math classes and said "How many people here took the co-op prep course?" -- A lot of hands went in the air. Then they said "How many people here have a co-op job lined up for this summer?" -- Pretty much no one.

Like NowHere says, the more effort you put into getting a job the easier it is to find one. Start early. Take your co-op prep course as soon as you get there and get it out of the way. It's the easiest thing to keep forgetting about.

Originally Posted by herBs

What if you specialize starting in second year o_o, it is still recommeneded to wait until the end of third year even though you're already in your field of interest? Do you recommend an internship or the 4 month summer co-op terms?

We all specialize 2nd year.

Mac has the most number of postings for coop/internships when you are in your 3rd year. Waiting until this (sometimes you have to because chances of getting a coop after 1st and 2nd year are slim, I only know like 2 or 3 people who got coop through mac after 1st year and 2nd year...) but after 3rd year it booms (90% of people I know got coop)

PS hows the BMW bobby? :p

Originally Posted by blackdragon

We all specialize 2nd year.

Mac has the most number of postings for coop/internships when you are in your 3rd year. Waiting until this (sometimes you have to because chances of getting a coop after 1st and 2nd year are slim, I only know like 2 or 3 people who got coop through mac after 1st year and 2nd year...) but after 3rd year it booms (90% of people I know got coop)

Say by some miracle you get a summer placement after 1st or 2nd year, are you still eligible for a 16 month internship/coop after 3rd? Or would you have to go down the track of 4 month coops every summer past that?

Originally Posted by adaptation

Say by some miracle you get a summer placement after 1st or 2nd year, are you still eligible for a 16 month internship/coop after 3rd? Or would you have to go down the track of 4 month coops every summer past that?

The max you can do is 16 months. (And the required for recognition on degree is 12 months)

So if you get a coop 4months after first and 2nd year, your only options are 4 and 8 month coops after 3rd year.

Originally Posted by blackdragon

The max you can do is 16 months. (And the required for recognition on degree is 12 months)

So if you get a coop 4months after first and 2nd year, your only options are 4 and 8 month coops after 3rd year.

Isn't the max you can do 16 months in one go, not 16 months overall?