Gain Experience & Get Paid

The Engineering Co-op Program provides undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to gain valuable engineering work experiences before they graduate. In 2018/2019, our students participated in over 3,200 4-month co-op work terms across the globe.

#MacEng Co-op Around the World.

McMaster Engineering Alumni Influencers in Silicon Valley

Meet some of our McMaster Engineering alumni who work in SIlicon Valley and learn how they landed their dream jobs.

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MacEng Co-op: Flexible, Optional, Supported.

Optional

Students in Engineering, iBioMed, & Computer Science can opt into co-op at any point in their degree, prior to their final year of studies. (B.Tech. students must complete 12 months to graduate).

Flexible

Co-op term lengths vary. Many students complete 4 month work terms during the summer. Others opt for longer placements - 50% of co-op work terms are 8 to 16 months in duration, enabling intensive work term experiences.

Supported

A team of 15 staff in the Engineering Co-op and Career Services office engage with over 800 employers to ensure that there are ample opportunities for you when you are ready to apply.

Meet the Team.

Ask me about my co-op!

Co-op students return to campus in Fall 2018, eager to share their experience with their classmates. Read More

Francesca Altobelli

Program: Electrical Engineering & Society
Co-Op Placement: Syncrude Canada Ltd. in Fort McMurray, Alberta

“At first I was hesitant about this co-op because I minor in Sustainability. Sustainability and oil sands doesn’t really match up but, if I want to use my degree to make things more sustainable then I need to learn about the problem areas.”

Matt Ferguson

Program: Chemical Engineering and Society
Co-Op Placement: Lakeside Process Controls

"I felt like I was actually important. I was doing pivotal stuff for our team that I couldn’t imagine an intern doing. I was one of the first ones on that team so that was very interesting. Feeling that I had a proper role and that my role was important felt really good."

Nicole Vicentic

Program: Biotechnology, Bachelor of Technology
Co-Op Placement: Royal Bank of Canada

“It changes you. I have definitely grown as a student and as a potential employee for future companies. I learned a lot about myself and improved on many skills. I tell my friends to take an opportunity like this all the time.”

Employer of the Week

One week can make a big difference! The Employer of the Week series features a new employer every week, who will engage with our students, both on and off-campus. Read more about our Employer of the Week program.

Bombardier Week

Throw a paper airplane for a chance to win a job interview @bombardier_jets ✈️ ? Our #maceng students are up for the task! As Engineering Co-Op & Career Services' Employer of the Week, Bombardier gave students the opportunity to network with managers, learn what it's like to work for them and have some fun too.

Visit McMaster Engineering (@mcmastereng) on Instagram.

Google Week

Thanks to all those who participated in the #googleatmcmaster contest today, asked our #maceng @googlestudents questions about their co-op experiences and took home a sweet android plush toy. A couple more events to enjoy this week including “Office Hours” with Google recruiters and a session on how to perfect that resume to land a job at Google.

Visit McMaster Engineering (@mcmastereng) on Instagram

Events to grow your career

January 29, 2020

“Wherever you are is O.K.”: McMaster Engineering alumni return to offer advice to students

Ninety McMaster Engineering alumni and 150 students gathered at last week’s Backpack to Briefcase networking night to share experiences, advice and mentorship.

$More than 400 students and 125 mentors connected at this year\'s Backpack to Briefcase event$

January 25, 2019

More than 400 students and 125 mentors connected at this year's Backpack to Briefcase event

Students and alumni had the opportunity to network and connect at annual Backpack to Briefcase event.

September 16, 2019

On the Job: Students share co-op work experiences at Engineering Co-op & Career Services event

More than 400 students participated in the Engineering Co-Op Return to Campus event

Where Big Ideas are Born.

More interested in starting your own company than working for one? No problem. With our Minor in Innovation program option, you can develop skills to create your own start-up. Our on-campus incubator, The Forge@Mac is there to support our budding entrepreneurs.

We even have Big Ideas Entrance Scholarships and Innovation & Society Living Learning Community in residence, so you can begin thinking about your end goal from the beginning.

Thode Makerspace

Thode Makerspace offers students a space to learn technical skills, develop new technologies and work collaboratively, while sharing ideas, equipment and knowledge.

Innovation Minor

Offered jointly by the Faculty of Engineering and the DeGroote School of Business, the Minor in Innovation is designed to give students the tools they need to succeed as entrepreneurs.

The Forge@Mac

Whether you want to be part of a team, or need help recruiting, attracting funds, or validating your idea, The Forge@Mac will be here to help and lead you along the way.

MacEng Innovators in the News

February 11, 2020

McMaster student first Canadian to be awarded prestigious aerospace fellowship

This International Day for Girls and Women in Science, we’re celebrating Hira Nadeem, an electrical engineering student who is one of 40 women recognized for excellence in the aerospace industry.