Exploring careers through co-op
In my former role as a high school guidance counsellor I would sometimes ask the student, “So what kind of career path are you interested in?”
Some were quick to answer, but to be honest, the most common response was usually, “I have no idea!” accompanied by a shoulder shrug and a blank unknowing expression of some sort.
Co-operative education provides an opportunity for students to explore a wide variety of careers, in both academic and trades, before they spend time and money enrolling in a program that doesn’t suit them.
Both Stayner Collegiate Institute (SCI) and Collingwood Collegiate Institute (CCI) have strong flourishing co-op programs.
School staff confirm that there is strong community support for their program, pointing out that the most successful placements are those where the employer has a sincere interest in mentoring the student and teaching them the qualities of a “good employee”.
Ideally students learn the importance of acquiring “soft skills” such as punctuality, teamwork and initiative.
I recently visited one of the CCI co-op classes and as they went around the table introducing themselves and describing their placements it became obvious to me that they were very proud of the responsibility that had been given to them in their workplace setting.
Each career description was completely unique hosted in a wide variety of businesses, some of which I never knew existed in our area.
Some placements were outdoors, others in industrial settings such as precision metal cutting and some students were working in our local schools mentoring or assisting in specialized classrooms.
One of the hurdles for the program is the transportation factor. Did you know that you could become a driver for a co-op student either on a volunteer basis or receive compensation? Not every student has access to the family car so staff often rely on the use of bus passes and local cab agencies to move students around.
It is often the case that you will find former co-op students now working at their placements full-time. We have a number of officers in the Collingwood OPP detachment who went through the program and there is now a former student working in the recruiting office and involved in the military co-op program that runs out of Base Borden.
The students shared with me that they love the option of being out of the classroom, where they sometimes become bored, and placed into an environment that suits their hands-on learning style.
According to the students, having a co-op placement for half the day or more allows them to “learn from life” and possibly set up connections that could lead to future employment.
We all want our students to find a successful career that they enjoy.
With the continued support of our local employers in both Collingwood and Clearview, co-op students are able to get one step closer to achieving this goal.
If you are interested in learning more about this program do not hesitate to contact Joan Walsh at SCI, at jewalsh@scdsb.on.ca or Susie McLeod at CCI, at smcleod@scdsb.on.ca.
