The Co-operative Education Program is a major asset for MPPA students. Our students have an amazing track record of securing stellar co-op work positions within government, nonprofits and the private sector. Through two potential work terms, students gain hands-on experience working in a range of placement positions. Students that know the direction they want to take can target positions that help them realize these goals. Other students use the work terms to diversify their understanding of work opportunities or deepen their understanding of key policy issues.
Co-op Experiences
How Co-op Works
The Co-operative Education Program is administered by the Co-operative Education Office at Carleton University. Most co-op positions are in the federal public service. Some students have obtained positions with provincial, territorial and municipal governments, the private sector, and the non-governmental / non-profit sector. The work terms provide a number of benefits. During the job search term, students develop job-search and interview skills. The work terms themselves provide career-related experience in policy development, analysis and evaluation and in public administration more generally. They offer an immediate understanding of particular policy or management issues that can support students’ subsequent academic work in concentration and elective courses. Moreover, they generate a range of professional contacts that can lead to ongoing employment.
Although most students secure their work terms through the positions posted on the Co-op job board, students are encouraged to self-develop job opportunities as well. Co-op Office provides support to guide students through the job search process and to assist them once on the job. Online modules cover resume writing and interview skills and Co-op Student Advisors are available for one-on-one sessions. The Co-op Office connects with students during the work term to discuss how the work is progressing from the point of view of both the student and the employer.
Co-operative Education With The MPPA Program
After having satisfactorily completed, or received advance completion credit for, the six first-year core courses, students who choose to take the Co-operative Education Program within the MPPA are able to apply for two work terms to be undertaken during their MPPA program. (If you are completing one or both of the prerequisite courses in the first year of the program, you must complete five of the six first-year core courses before going out on co-op). Students who satisfactorily complete the two work terms receive a Co-op designation on their transcript.
At the end of each work term, students submit a work term report to the faculty advisor who is the School’s Co-op Liaison. This report outlines their work term role and responsibilities, identifies challenges and accomplishments, analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of their work experience, and relates that experience to their previous academic work. Also at the end of the work term, the employer evaluates the student’s performance, and discusses this evaluation with the student.
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