Co-op/Career Services
Where is Engineering Co-op and Career Services (ECCS) located?
JHE H301 (3rd floor of the Gerald Hatch Centre)
In the summer after 1st year and the summer after 2nd year, how long is a typical co-op term?
4 months.
If you would like to complete a longer work term (ex. 8, 12 or 16 months), you must fill out a Petition for Special Consideration on OSCARplus.
In order for a work position to count as co-op, the student must work a minimum of how many hours/week?
35 hours/week.
However, you can work more (ex. 40 hours/week)
What website displays all upcoming career workshops and employer events?
OSCARplus --> Events --> Engineering
True or False.
Employers expect a first-year student to have technical experience before hiring them for a summer co-op.
False.
Technical experience is rarely an expectation. Non-technical skills such as teamwork, organizational skills and adaptability are highly sought after.
Exception: Tech companies (ex. coding positions)
How do I book an appointment with my co-op coordinator?
OSCARplus --> Appointments --> Engineering --> Engineering Career Appointments --> Book by Type
Appointments can also be booked in person in the ECCS Office
If you are in a 4-year program, what is the maximum amount of co-op that you can complete?
24 months.
If you are in a 5-year program, you can complete 28 months because you have an extra summer term.
In order for a work position to count as a 4-month co-op, the student must work a minimum of how many weeks?
12 weeks.
Even though that is only 3 months, it counts as a 4-month co-op. This is government regulated.
If I registered for an event on OSCARplus and I am no longer able to attend, what should I do?
Log onto OSCARplus and cancel your registration.
If a student is a "no show" for 3 events, their access to OSCARplus is blocked and they must speak with an ECCS advisor.
True or False.
While on co-op, you can enroll in one course/term. For example, you can complete one course in the spring term (May/June) and another course in the summer term (July/August)
True.
Enroll through Mosaic just like you did for your fall and winter courses.
Engineering Co-op and Career Services (ECCS) offers 13 different types of in-person appointments. Name 3 of them.
Co-op job search, Full-time job search, Cover letter writing, Resume critique, Linkedin, profile critique, Interview skills, Negotiate a job offer, Learn about clubs and teams, Researching on campus
Over the last 12 months, how many countries did engineering co-op students work in?
20 countries.
If you are interested in pursuing an international co-op, email Faith Ogunkoya (Global Experience Coordinator) at uyinmwef@mcmaster.ca
After which academic year can a student complete a long term co-op (ex. 12-16 months)?
3rd year (if they are in a 4-year program)
4th year (if they are in a 5-year program)
If you would like to complete a longer work term after 1st or 2nd year, you must submit a Petition for Special Consideration found on OSCARplus.
If it is not stated, what is the dress code for employer events (ex. industry night, information session, career fair)?
Business casual.
True or False.
Last year, Jesse Sahota (ECCS advisor) was presented the Career Coach of the Year award by TalentEgg for his outstanding dedication to his students.
True.
He also stars in the first video from week one of this course.
Outside of OSCARplus, name two job search websites that students should be using.
Eluta, TalentEgg, Linkedin, Indeed, Monster, Glassdoor, Workopolis, Charity Village.
If you are looking to secure a co-op next summer, what is the minimum number of jobs ECCS recommends that you apply to?
50 co-op job postings.
Remember many of the positions on OSCARplus are exclusive to McMaster Faculty of Engineering students. ECCS has worked hard for decades to build strong employer relations.
I am looking to start a 4 month co-op in May 2020. When will employers be posting these jobs on the OSCARplus co-op job board?
January 2020 (1 term before your start date)
Exception: Tech companies (ex. Microsoft, Amazon, Google) will post their jobs 2 terms in advance (ie. September/October 2019)
Last year, Engineering Co-op and Career Services (ECCS) recognized the 3 employers who hired the greatest volume of engineering co-op students. Name 1 of those companies.
Advanced Microdevices (AMD)
IBM
Ontario Power Generation (OPG)
Side Note: McMaster University hired over 350 engineering students as research assistants. Research counts as co-op!
True or False.
Engineering Co-op and Career Services (ECCS) is open weekdays from 9 am - 4 pm. Therefore, students can only book in-person appointments that fall in this time range.
False.
If you have class, lab or tutorial and are unable to book an appointment during regular office hours, email your co-op coordinator. He/she will do their best to accommodate your request.
On Friday afternoons from 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm, Engineering Co-op and Career Services (ECCS) offers drop-in appointments for which 3 services?
Cover letter writing, Resume critique, and Linkedin profile critique.
During the 2018-2019 school year, how many employers did Engineering Co-op and Career Services (ECCS) bring to campus? This includes career fairs, interviewing students, information sessions, career talks, industry nights etc.
Over 1000!
If I secure a summer co-op and found it outside of OSCARplus, how do I count it as a co-op?
Email 3 documents to ECCS:
1. Signed offer letter
2. Job description
3. Co-op confirmation form (this is found on the ECCS website)
When attending a networking event, name 2 things you should bring with you.
Copies of your resume to give to company representatives.
A notebook and pen.
After talking to a company rep, step away, write down the person's name and jot down a few things you talked about. Then when you add them on Linkedin, you can "Add a Note" that is personalized.
True or False.
When you are on co-op, you are expected to complete an evaluation of your employer, and your employer completes an evaluation of you. If this is incomplete, you will receive a grade of NC (not complete) on your transcript.
True.
Ensure that your evaluation is completed before the end of your co-op work term, not when you return back to school