GETTING STARTED

STEPS TO YOUR SUCCESSFUL WORK TERM

Karen McClughanmyCareer CentreCo-op & Career AdvisorOffice A218 – 15519 542 7751 Ext 3386karen.mcclughan@lambtoncollege.ca

YOUR OA CO-OP WORK TERM

Jan 12– April 21, 2016 inclusiveTues, Wed & Thurs afternoons

Study week Feb 15-20 discuss with employer whether you are working

Credit Requirements◦ Completion of contract – start/end date◦ Completion of hours

12-15 Hours per week X 14 weeks = 210 hours Minimum Requirement = 160

◦ Completion of all components of the work term report in D2L

What is Co-op?Co operative Education is a course with

periods of work experience so the student can apply their classroom learning in appropriate business and industry settings◦ Positions are approved by myCareer Centre◦ The student is engaged in productive work not only

observation◦ Students are required to complete all

components of the Work Term Report in D2L as well as their hours

◦ The student’s progress is monitored by myCareer Centre through D2L

◦ The student is supervised and evaluated by the Work Term employer

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES Keep resume on myCareer up to

dateCheck myLambton e-mail

◦ Only communication used

Conduct your job search◦Lambton College Postings (myCareer)◦Networking◦Approach employers directly ◦Keep a professional online presence (facebook)

The final responsibility for securing employment rests with the student

NOTE Lambton College DOES NOT

guarantee that students will secure Work Term positions

◦Every effort will be made to assist the student in securing a work term opportunity when the student participates by Utilizing the services provided by myCareer

Centre

COMMUNICATIONAll communication from

myCareer Centre will come through your college mylambton e-mail account◦Forward to your main e-mail is

availableYou are responsible for

monitoring this account◦Important Work Term information◦Interview information◦Job offers

Student E-mail Alias

POLICIES & PROCEDURES FOR CO-OP

Read & understand and adhere to Policies and Procedures for Co-op – SEE Co-op Pak

Eligibility

◦Be enrolled or have successfully completed all current semester program courses

◦Have a least a pass in all previous semester program courses when eligibility is determined

◦Have a program cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above

STEPS TO WORK TERM SUCCESS

Assess employers and positions◦Where will your skills fit into the

market◦What are you qualified for?◦Are your goals realistic?

Research ◦Conduct research to identify

potential employers with potential positions

◦Research companies that post on myCareer to create effective marketing materials

STEPS TO WORK TERM SUCCESS

What do YOU have to offer?oProgram skillsoTransferable skillsoCertifications/Achievements

What are you looking for?o Type of positiono Location- do you have transportation to

get thereoWage? Most OA positions are volunteer

STEPS TO CO-OP SUCCESSIs your product packaged well?◦Neat, error free and presented well, are

you identifying what the employer is looking for?

Key Marketing Materials

◦Cover Letter◦Resume◦Business cards◦Program capabilities◦Previous evaluations/Letters of

recommendation◦Interview skills

STEPS TO CO-OP SUCCESS

myCareer Centre◦Meet with advisor to discuss your

“Active Job Search Plan”◦Resume/cover letter review/◦Mock interviews

myCareer Web site◦Forms◦Work Term Pak◦Q & A◦ https://www.mylambton.ca/mycareer/Home/

STEPS TO CO-OP SUCCESSProgram Capabilities

◦Lambton Website - programsOptimal Resume Suite

Resumes; Letters; Interview prep.; e-portfolios etc.

◦Interview set up for employers ◦Telephone, computers, fax machines

STEPS TO WORK TERM SUCCESS

How to apply for posted positions:Read job descriptions carefullyApply online with myCareer

(unless indicated differently on posting i.e. apply online with company)

Attach cover letter, resume – Saved as a PDF with no spaces in name transcript (if requested)

NOTE: Cover Letters should be saved on your own drive and uploaded individually for each position. ◦ i.e. ABCcoverletter

myCareer Job Postings

Eligible students will be able to view the jobs and apply through myCareer

Follow instruction carefully in regard to deadlines, instructions

INTERVIEWS

All interview decisions are made by employers

Check myCareer/e-mail daily for interview notification after the deadline

A minimum of 24 hours notice must be given to cancel interviews

Proper interview attire is requiredEnsure you are properly prepared

◦Company research◦Optimal resume – interview practice◦Mock interview

mycareer.lambtoncollege.ca

Log in with your Lambton Username and password

Book all appointments in Co-op tab only

Make sure you click on “All Active Co-op Jobs”

• Name your document the company name (i.e. “lambtoncollege” • Upload PDF document with no space

in title• Retype document name above

browser box under “Name”

Scroll over to cancel application

JOB ACCEPTANCE

BEFORE YOU ACCEPT YOUR JOBClarify all details!Job descriptionHoursContract dates!!Conditions of employment

JOB ACCEPTANCEOnce you accept you are committed to that

position - No ExceptionsFollow timelines for accepting positionsFully complete and sign pink “Work Term Acceptance” form within 24 hours of job acceptance and return to myCareer Centre

Return fully completed & signed yellow “Work Term Agreement ” form to Co-op office within 7 days (if secured own position)

If position is non paid Insurance Paperwork is required before you start your position NOTE:

All hiring decisions are made by employers

SUCCESS - WORK ETHICS

Show up before scheduled shifts◦Not late

Be available for all shifts ◦Don’t ask for time off

Call in if you are going to be late or absent◦Do not have frequent late or absent

daysShow up in a fit state for work Display a positive attitudeContact Co-op Advisor if you receive a

warning, lay off or fired

SUCCESS

DURING WORK TERM:Complete Work Term modules in D2L by due

dates – complete Module 1 immediately.=Refer to Work Term Pak for Q & APrint off forms from D2L at beginning of term

Contact myCareer Centre for unusual circumstances or difficulties

Remember that at all times you are representing your program and Lambton College

Honour your contract dates – no changesContact Co-op Advisor if hurt in any way on your co-op

WORK TERM REPORTWork Term report details will be on D2L –

module due dates throughout the term – starting right away

Meet with supervisor 3 times◦ Beginning – to discuss goals and objectives

– present guidlines, capabilities◦ Middle – am I meeting the goals &

objectives and areas to improve, present evaluation

◦ End – discuss final evaluation and get copyDocument above meetings and supervisor

signs offLog hours (Supervisor signs off)Submit each work term report module by

deadlineFailure to submit all components will result in

an Failure grade

AFTER THE WORK TERM

Due date for module completion in D2L Monday April 25, 2016

Failure to submit all components of the Work Term report WILL result in an Failure grade

WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW?

Update your resume – professional quality

Create a general cover letter outline (to be adjusted to each job posting later)

Set up job search action plan meeting◦ Book on myCareer –Co-op appointment tab◦ Book by coming into the myCareer Centre

Apply for myCareer job postings – check frequently

◦ Read instructions on posting carefully◦ Some are apply on Company Web Sites◦ Deadlines shorten as semester progresses

WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW? Practice Interviews in Optimal Resume Attend the upcoming Interview Workshop Book a Mock Interview Check myLambton e-mail often

◦ Important information

◦ Interview notifications

◦ Job offers Actively network and conduct your own job

search

◦ Employer Showcase

Last But Not Least Demonstrate respect and

professionalism throughout the process◦Classmates◦Employers◦Faculty◦Co-op Advisor & staff

QUESTIONS?

THANK YOU!