As a McMaster Engineering co-op student, you are expected to conduct yourself in a professional and ethical manner throughout your participation in the co-op program.
The following policies and expectations will help guide you throughout your co-op journey to ensure your success on the job and in your program. We encourage you to download and save these policies to easily reference when needed.
The Centre for Career Growth & Experience team applies a people-first approach in the delivery of meaningful student experiences and adheres to values of respect, collaboration, quality, integrity and growth mindset. We value our relationships with students, employers, community partners and campus colleagues which is built upon mutually trusted and respectful interactions. Should any disrespectful behavior occur, it will be addressed following the principles of the McMaster University Student Code of Conduct.
The policies set out in this document support the operation and delivery of the Faculty of Engineering Co-op Program in alignment with national accreditation standards and expectations set out by Co-operative Education & Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada. The Centre for Career Growth and Experience (the Centre) adheres to these policies and expects the same of McMaster Engineering co-op students.
Please note: multiple infractions across section types could lead to an escalated action plan, assessed on a case-by-case basis.
We recognize there may be situations that warrant alternative approaches/actions from what is outlined in this policies document and students are encouraged to contact their Career Educator for guidance and support in advance of acting on their own.
Students are required to register their work term within 10 business days after accepting an offer of employment and no later than the employment start date indicated on their employment contract. Students must meet all the conditions outlined on the co-op confirmation form and are not permitted to backdate the registration of their co-op work term (i.e. students are not permitted to register a co-op work term once employment has commenced or concluded).
- Work Term Extensions: If a student’s work term has been extended into a subsequent term, the student must notify the Centre (thecentre@mcmaster.ca) within 10 days of being offered/notified of the extension and no later than the first business day of the new academic term.
- Document Delays: In cases where a student is approaching their start date or has commenced employment and is awaiting documentation from the employer in order to register the co-op, the student should notify their Career Educator as soon as possible, and no later than the first day of employment.
If you experience any changes to your employment, delays in receiving documentation from your employer, or issues associated with registering your work term, please contact your Career Educator for support.
Students are expected to attend all interviews to which they have been invited and should be monitoring their email at least once per day while in an active job search term.
A student may decline an interview opportunity under the following conditions:
- If they have already received an offer of employment from another company.
- If they have an exam/class conflict, are ill, have a family emergency, for religious observation, or another extenuating circumstance. In cases like this the student should request to reschedule their interview by emailing engcoop@mcmaster.ca.
Actions & Outcomes
If a student has not responded to an interview request within a 24-hour period or does not show up for an interview, the following actions may be applied.
- (1st occurrence) OSCARplus access is suspended. Student must meet with their Career Educator to discuss next steps.
- (2nd occurrence) Student is placed on probation in the co-op program and access to the job board is suspended. Student must meet with their Career Educator and a Manager to discuss next steps.
- (3rd occurrence) Student may be removed from the co-op program and moved to a non-co-op academic plan.
Once a student has accepted and signed an offer of employment, they become ineligible for additional interviews or accepting other offers. The Centre does not encourage or endorse job offer reneges and students are not permitted to renege on an accepted co-op offer. In a situation where a student is considering reneging for any reason, they are expected to contact their Career Educator before making any decision that impacts their offer acceptance.
Actions & Outcomes
If a student reneges for any reason that is deemed inappropriate, the following action may be applied.
- (1st occurrence) OSCARplus access is suspended. Student must meet with their Career Educator to discuss next steps.
- (2nd occurrence) Student is placed on probation in the co-op program and access to the job board is suspended. Student must meet with their Career Educator and a Manager to discuss next steps.
- (3rd occurrence) Student may be removed from the co-op program and moved to a non-co-op academic plan
Once a student starts a co-op they are expected to remain in the position for the duration of the co-op. A student should speak with their Career Educator if there are any issues before deciding to resign from the co-op position.
Actions & Outcomes
If a student resigns from their co-op for any reason that is deemed as inappropriate, the following actions may be applied.
- (1st occurrence) OSCARplus access is suspended. Student must meet with their Career Educator to discuss next steps.
- (2nd occurrence) Student receives a failed work term status, is placed on probation in the co-op program and access to the job board is suspended. Student must meet with their Career Educator and a Manager to discuss next steps. Student will not be refunded the co-op work term fee.
- (3rd occurrence) Student may be removed from the co-op program and moved to a non-co-op academic plan.
If a student is terminated for just cause (e.g. unprofessional conduct, job performance issues), the Centre team will review the reasons that led to the termination to ensure a full understanding of the situation before determining a course of action.
Actions & Outcomes
If a student is terminated with cause for reasons that are deemed appropriate/justified, the following actions may be applied.
- (1st occurrence) Student receives a failed work term status, is placed on probation in the co-op program and access to the job board is suspended. Student must meet with their Career Educator and a manager to discuss next steps. Student will not be refunded the co-op work term fee.
- (2nd occurrence) Student may be removed from the co-op program and moved to a non-co-op academic plan.
Frequently asked questions
Please review the FAQ to familiarize yourself with the co-op policies implemented by the Centre for Career Growth and Experience in August 2023.
If your question is not answered below, please email your Career Educator for support.
Last updated: August 22, 2024
The Centre for Career Growth and Experience team has established policies and expectations that will help guide you throughout your co-op journey to ensure your success on the job and in your program.
The policies set out in this document support the operation and delivery of the Faculty of Engineering Co-op Program in alignment with national accreditation standards and expectations set out by Co-operative Education & Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada. Thee Centre for Career Growth and Experience (the Centre) adheres to these policies and expects the same of McMaster Engineering co-op students.
There may be some situations that warrant alternative approaches/actions from what is outlined in the policies. Students are expected to contact their Career Educator for guidance and support in advance of acting on their own.