How Co-op Works

As a co-op student, you will complete an exclusive workshop to develop your job search and employability skills for success in the Co-op Program and throughout your career. Co-op coordinators and guest speakers will share their expertise about the job search process and workplace issues.

Workshops are held throughout the fall and winter terms, before your first work term. Attendance is mandatory.

There are 3 components to each workshop:

1. Online: You will follow the online workshop component on Canvas. These online workshops have assessments and assignments to prepare you before attending the In-Person component.
2. In-Person: Once all the assessments and assignments have been completed, you will attend an interactive in-person component to workshop your skills together.
3. Group Seminars: The final step is to meet in small groups with the co-op coordinators to expand on the topics covered in more detail.

The 3 workshops are as follows:

• Workshop #1 (October): Introduction to co-op, self-assessment, resumes, and cover letters
• Workshop #2 (November): Job search techniques and interview skills
• Workshop #3 (March): Transition to the workplace, work term requirements, workplace legislation, safety

Co-op students are employees of the organization that hires them for their work term, and all wages and benefits are the employer’s responsibility. Salaries are determined by the employer, within the salary structure of their organization.

The following table shows the average monthly salary for UBC Faculty of Forestry Co-op students based on a 40-hour work week. Please note that these figures do not show the variances between employer size nor do they reflect the number of work terms a student has completed.

If you require more detailed information, please contact a Co-op Coordinator.

International students are welcome to apply to the UBC Forestry Co-op Program.

Co-op Work Permit

After being admitted into the program, you will need to obtain a co-op work permit from Immigration Canada. Applying for the permit is free of charge and you can do so online. It is extremely important that you allow sufficient processing time, so submit your application at the beginning of the semester prior to your work term.

For more information, see the International Student Guide: Co-op or internship work permit | Student Services

Social Insurance Number (SIN)

You will need to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) because your employer needs it to add you to their payroll. If you will be working outside of the province during your co-op work term, you must submit your application for a social insurance number while you are still in BC to avoid processing problems and payroll delays.

For more information, see the International Student Guide: Social Insurance Number (SIN) | Student Services

Visit International Student Advising | Student Services or contact an International Student Advisor for expert advice.

Consider expanding your job search internationally. If you are interested in working overseas, the co-op coordinators are here to guide and support you all the way from the application process, accepting the final job offer, and as you conduct your work term abroad.

In addition, if you need funding to work abroad, you can apply for the Patrick Duffy International Work Experience Grant. This grant provides financial support to Forestry students doing co-op work terms outside of Canada. To learn more about the grant, see the Funding webpage: Employer Funding | Forestry Co-op Program | UBC Forestry.

As a co-op student scheduled to begin a work term, you must submit the items on this checklist via The Hub. These items are only visible in your co-op profile after you have created a Work Term Record (WTR).

Please note: we cannot provide you with a grade for your work term until all items have been uploaded on The Hub.

 Before your work term begins:

• Create your WTR
• Accept either the domestic OR international waiver form
• Upload a signed copy of your offer letter

Within 2 weeks of beginning your work term: Due – September 15, January 15 or May 15

• Update your location on the map survey
• Create your Learning Objectives
• Submit your U-Pass exemption request on the Student Service Center (if you are working outside of Metro Vancouver) AND email a co-op coordinator to let them know you did so

Halfway through your work term:

• Site Visits: The co-op coordinators will contact you in the second month of the term to schedule either a phone, in-person, Zoom, or email site visit. You are responsible to coordinate with your supervisor’s schedule, invite them to the meeting, and ensure they attend. Make sure your supervisor is aware that this is coming and is required for you to pass the co-op course. After the evaluation:
  • Complete Student Mid-term Evaluation
  • The co-op coordinator will complete the employer’s mid-term evaluation
• Upload your student story + picture
  • See the end of page 15 in the Student Handbook for instructions

End of your work term: Due – December 15, April 15 or August 15

• Upload your Co-op Assignment
• Complete the Student Final Co-op Evaluation form
• Tell your supervisor to complete the Employer – Final Co-op Evaluation via the link we send to the email address you entered in your WTR
• Complete your Student – Assignment Release
• Tell your supervisor to complete the Employer – Assignment Release via the link we send to the email address you entered in your WTR

To attend when you return to UBC:

• Co-op Debriefing Session – January or September
• Co-op Presentation Nights – January or September