Self-Directed Job Search

If you have secured a co-op position through a self-directed job search, you will need to complete the Self-directed Approval Request form on mySuccess. For instructions on submitting request forms via mySuccess, click here to view a video walkthrough click here. 

As a reminder, for a position to count as a co-op work term, it must be: 

1. Related to Carleton’s Career Competencies and your degree  
2. Paid, see notes below 
3. Supervised, 
4. Full-time hours (35-40 hours per week), and 
5. Approximately 16-weeks (4-months) in duration per term. 

Note: Co-operative Education will not accept the following types of employment:  

• Independent contracting arrangements (self-employment)  
• Unpaid work including work involving unpaid or reduced pay for training  
• Work involving credit in lieu of pay  
• Any work which requires the purchase of a service or product, or requires a certified deposit or similar as a condition of employment  
• Employment contracts or franchise contracts which charge a fee (i.e. certification fee, licensing fee, equipment purchase, initial investment in a company)  
• Work involving pyramid-type or multi-level marketing organizations  
• Private tutoring arrangements  
• Employment that would involve the work to take place at the private residence of the employer (i.e. caregiver, tutor, landscaping, care attendant) 
• Employment where the student reports directly to a family member
  

Please note that if this position is approved as a co-op job, the position is subject to all the rules and regulations outlined in the Co-op Participation Agreement. This includes payment of the non-refundable work term fee and completion of a work term report.

If you are conducting a self-directed job search and wish to learn whether the position might be appropriate, please send a copy of the job description or posting that includes the information listed above via email to your Co-op Student Advisor for review.