Length & Work Terms
The co-op program offers students the chance to work in a full-time, paid position related to their career interests and areas of study for 4 or 8 months.
Work terms are a minimum of 455 hours, or 13 weeks, in length: most employers will hire students for 13-16 weeks (4 months). Students must complete one mandatory work term, but have the option to complete up to 3 work terms. Depending on your program schedule, you may complete one 4-month work term, two consecutive 4-month work terms, or two separate 4-month work terms. As a result, students typically complete their degree in 24 or 28 months rather than the usual 20 months.
Normally, SLAIS co-op students will spend 8 months completing their initial coursework at SLAIS. They will then elect to do either a four-month or an eight-month co-op work placement. After the work placement they will return to SLAIS to complete their remaining 24 credits of coursework.
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 (24-40 hours per week) 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: For co-op placements of 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.
Work Environment to Expect
Sometimes co-op students work in environments with many other professionals in their field (e.g., a public library), and sometimes they are hired as subject experts and work independently as the only information professional in the workplace (e.g., as records managers for a private business). In both situations, students become regular employees in the workplace and are expected to complete assigned work and participate generally in workplace activities with other employees. As a result, co-op students get in-depth exposure to a particular workplace as well as to a range of tasks related generally to their field of study.
Co-op Workshops
The co-op office provides one mandatory orientation workshop and a series of customized, optional workshops for SLAIS co-op students to help them compete for co-op jobs.
Co-op Job Search
Students go through a “real world” competitive process to secure co-op positions, with support from co-op staff. For example, co-op students have access to a database of postings primarily available only to SLAIS co-op students (which are sometimes posted at other Canadian university co-op programs), choose which positions to apply for, and submit applications via the co-op office. Note that the numbers and types of jobs posted reflect the Canadian library, archives, and information studies job market at the time. As the Lower Mainland is not a big enough market to offer the range of experiences SLAIS co-op students want, co-op staff market the program to employers across Canada and around the world to ensure an appropriate range of positions for each work term. As a result, students who are able to relocate to take jobs will have more opportunities.
Ongoing Support
SLAIS co-op students have access to co-op staff for individual career advising appointments, enabling students to develop job search skills that will be of use during the co-op job search and after graduation.
Co-op Fees
There is a one-time Administration and Career Advising fee of $216.48 due when you are accepted into the program: note that this fee does not guarantee placement in a co-op job. While on work terms, SLAIS co-op students continue to pay their regular graduate tuition fee to UBC and are considered full-time students. A portion of this fee is returned to the co-op office and helps to cover the costs of co-op staff to market the program, secure job placements, participate in site visits, and evaluate students’ co-op learning projects and evaluations at the end of work terms. Each co-op work term appears on the student’s transcript as a nonacademic co-op credit placement course (Arts Studies 501, 502, or 503).
Co-op Wages
The average Arts Co-op wage range is $16-$22 per hour; wages can vary greatly depending on the sector. For example, some non-profits pay less than government positions. While co-op can be a good method to assist you in financing your degree, money should not be the primary consideration for participating in the program. Wages are based on current labour market realities, and are up to the employer to determine.
