Seneca College Red - Fall 2012 - (Page 8)

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM Four-out-of-five new labour market entrants come from college or university. 4/5 By the Numbers Co-operative Education Number of Seneca co-op students in 2011/12 1,200 3,000 employers have hired Seneca’s co-op students Programs at Seneca with a co-op option 43 Co-op coordinators at Seneca 11 PHOTO: JOANNE RATAJCZAK Co-op student of the year Kijeong Kim. Value of tax credit available for co-op employers (non governmental) per student for each work term $3,000 A FOOT IN THE DOOR BEFORE GRADUATION Co-ops provide students critical experience in their chosen industries. one of the first questions asked at a job interview. For more than 1,200 Seneca students, the answer is a guaranteed “Yes.” Forty-three programs across the College’s faculties include a one-semester, full-time cooperative learning opportunity, or “co-op.” This approach incorporates a practical work placement into students' academic experiences and helps them understand the day-to-day of their chosen fields. The growing number of Seneca co-op placements has made Susan Soikie, Manager, Co-Operative Education and Internships, more than busy. Since joining Seneca in December 2011, she’s become an expert in mapping career destinations for thousands of students and connecting them with the 8 RED 2012 “DO YOU HAVE ANY WORK EXPERIENCE?” is right employers. And with new degree programs in Business Management and International Business, the co-op portfolio is expected to grow by 40 per cent. Susan’s only going to get busier, but she doesn’t mind. Seneca is a known leader in co-operative education. Historically co-op placements have been concentrated in technology-based programs. Now, all faculties are recognizing the value. “A co-op placement is invaluable for students,” says Susan. “It gives them an advantage because they receive tangible work experience and networking opportunities.” For employers, providing co-ops is a win-win. “Employers are almost always interested,” says Susan. “For them, it is a short-term hiring solution, and they meet innovative students, who can offer a fresh perspective on the latest happenings in the industry.” Seneca supports students throughout the entire co-op placement process, treating it like a formal job search. All students participate in a mock interview and have their résumés critiqued prior to meeting potential employers. Placements are posted, stu- dents apply and are formally interviewed. By the time they begin their co-ops, students will have developed career-finding skills, which will benefit them for the rest of their working lives. Seneca enjoys a very high retention rate of students in co-op programs, and employers will often hire students after they graduate. A strong co-op program is also a critical selling feature for prospective college students.“With universities, student choice is often based on brand recognition,” says Susan. “With colleges, co-op opportunities rank very high. Students know a co-op experience is what will differentiate them when they graduate.” Seneca's 2012 co-op student of the year, Kijeong Kim, was thrilled with the experience and networks he obtained during his co-op with Research in Motion. “My experience gave me great insight into the Canadian job market and helped me develop many connections,” he says. Are you an alum looking to hire a co-op student? Just call (416) 491-5050 x33063 or email us at cooperative.education@senecacollege.ca

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Seneca College Red - Fall 2012

Seneca College Red - Fall 2012
Contents
President’s Message
News for Alumni and Friends
SSF President’s Update
Beyond the Classroom
Co-op at Seneca
Campus
Huge Wins for the Sting
Fostering a new literacy for the digital age
Senecans' Stories
Donors
Chairman of Giving Back
Personnel
Back in the Day

Seneca College Red - Fall 2012