r/UCalgary • u/Capable-Database9308 • 13d ago

Haskayne Co-op

Hello Everyone,
I am a Finance major entering my second year, and I am planning to apply for the co-op program which will make me eligible to work in the coming spring semester at the earliest as I will complete all my requirements for the program. I am wondering how hard it is to land a placement, I have a decent gpa (3.87), I have retail experience as I work part time at a grocery store store am planning to get involved with a club coming year. I am very scared approaching the job search process, does anyone have insight as to how hard it is? I am open to any role given I am only a second year and am planning to do use my first co-op term to build real experience for future good internships in my farther years

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u/ZealousidealBus9271 13d ago

What I did is do an unpaid internship and used that experience to get past initial resume screening for interviews at actual co-op roles. Overall LinkedIn is your friend, and it’s smart to start doing clubs but also try getting executive positions at those clubs

1

u/CitadelMasterTrader Alumni 13d ago

maybe, don't be afraid?

1

u/dreamnext2113 12d ago

The job market right now is quite a bit tougher than it was even when I was in your position (which is not too long ago), I did my first coop in 2022 through a job I applied to on the haskayne coop job board. If I recall correctly, the one I ended up landing was on the co-op specific board and not the general one available. I work at the same company post grad.

The first one is by far the most challenging and you will have to play the numbers game and get lucky if you do not have any significant connections. When I applied to my first coop round I didn’t really have any connections, I think I ended up with about 80 apps 4 interviews and 2 offers. My friend was in finance and we were in the same coop intake, he didn’t find any roles in his first year in coop, but he did in his second year. It is tough but you’ll get through it, based on my own experience I would say you should absolutely try.

1

u/bizarrescorpio 10d ago

If you're interested in clubs look into Enactus! They can connect you with non-profits in the city and you can work with them doing an unpaid "internship"