Professional Experience Program

• 12-16 month work term following 3rd year Honours Computing and Computer Electronics as well as Honours Computer Science

• Start work in May after 3rd year

• Develop skills & knowledge in your field

• Make contacts in the field

What is PEP?

• Market driven• Students register and apply to postings• We do not provide ‘placements’

How Does It Work?

Fees involved – first payment in November, with a final payment in December• Currently assessed at: $2,224.44

• November $741.48 / December $1,482.96

Fees

All newly admitted co-op students will be automatically enrolled in Co-op Fundamentals COOP-001, a half-credit

course graded on a pass/fail basis.

Attendance is mandatory, beginning with the first two sessions, Module 1: Introduction to Co-op specifically for Arts and Science Students and Module 2: Fundamentals

Core Concepts which will be offered mid-October. To prepare for these first two sessions, we recommend that

you read the Introduction to Laurier Co-op Tutorial on MyLearningSpace.

Co-op Fundamentals

Other topics in the course include:• Workshops• Job postings and search• Interviews• Offers• Probationary period

Co-op Fundamentals

• Work term visit – learning objectives

• Employer evaluation of student

• Work term report (due during the second four months)

• Student evaluation of the work term

• Back to campus meeting

Student Responsibility

• Any 3rd year Honours Computing and Computer Electronics Student as well as Honours Computer Science Student

• A strong GPA and experience are key factors

Who Can Apply?

• Sybase iAnywhere• IBM• Sandvine• Wilfrid Laurier University• Blackberry• Manulife• Faith Life• RBC• Linamar

Employer Who Hire PEP

• Gain work experience directly related to field

• Experience in “real world” work environment

• Develop skills/knowledge of your field

• Evaluate a potential full time employer

• Make contacts in your field

• Possible to start a full-time career at higher skill level/salary

Benefits

• Delays graduation by one year

• New ‘class’ of students when you return

• Have to reintegrate into academic life

• Living accommodations – flexibility?

• OSAP repayments – check the rules

• Fees

Drawbacks

“PEP gave me an opportunity to learn about the industry and to work with amazing people. Because it is longer than usual co-op terms, you can really get the feel of working full-time and being part of the team.”

Questions?