Audience: Co-op hiring coordinators, subteam leads, senior members
F24 term: this document received a large update to clarify some of the details
S21 term: WARG attempted to hire co-ops for the term. However, in the absence of such a guide, the process took much longer than expected. While successful, many questions could’ve been answered had this document existed.
Please follow all steps in the correct order to ensure that the co-op student is set up for success at WARG.
Complete the required supervisor trainings on Learn. If you do not do this, SDC administration will be upset and it’s embarrassing.
It is recommended that the co-op student have a predefined project to work on. This makes it easier for the co-op student as it allows them to:
Measure progress
And therefore ask for help when required
Engage with the work
Single onboarding and specialization, which is not possible with separate tasks
Keep them busy
The co-op student is expected to be working full time at WARG
Do not give them useless tasks, ensure you have meaningful stuff lined up
Write meaningful résumé points
Specifically, the reason for doing a task rather than making their résumé look like a bunch of Jira ticket titles
“We were just barely able to break down enough work for [the co-op], and there wasn't a sole intern project we could give him because the entire system was already tasked out. Obviously, the better PM we have now would've helped, but the lesson is don't hire a co-op unless you're actually getting flooded with work or have a dedicated project.” - Lesson learned from a subteam lead.
“We were just barely able to break down enough work for [the co-op], and there wasn't a sole intern project we could give him because the entire system was already tasked out. Obviously, the better PM we have now would've helped, but the lesson is don't hire a co-op unless you're actually getting flooded with work or have a dedicated project.” - Lesson learned from a subteam lead.
Additionally, having a predefined project makes it easier for the co-op hiring coordinator and co-op supervisor:
Focused job description
Progress tracking
Reduced administration (e.g. task assignment)
The co-op supervisor must be available during the co-op student’s term as a primary mentor: Co-op Supervisor Promotion Criteria . As manager you are taking full ownership over your co-op. Keeps track of tasks and the day to day activities.
You will be busy as a manager so having a separate person as a backup mentor for days your busy is nice to have. Should be present for technical support for questions.
The safety captain must exist and must be aware of the intent to hire a co-op: Safety Captain
You should list out the SDC director and other contacts the co-op student can go to in the rare case they do not feel comfortable talking to WARGians about an issue.
Write a startup guide: Creating a Startup Guide
Writing one beforehand forces you to think about timelines, what they would do, what requirements you are looking for in a co-op, and ensure that you’ve thought of the big picture
Write a job description: Job Description Writing
Co-op hiring must be approved by WARG directors. Then, co-op hiring requires approval from the SDC. Follow the steps under Hiring A Coop Student : https://uwaterloo.ca/sedra-student-design-centre/current-teams
Email the SDC director (currently Peter Teertstra)
Use the SDC account given by Professor Teertstra (as of S24) in the employer section of WaterlooWorks to post the positions. The account credentials can be found in the password manager used by WARG.
Selection process to give a co-op offer: Selection process
As WARG postings typically occur late in the term (around cycle 4-5), the WaterlooWorks cycle timeline is generally too short for WARG to use the ranking system. Instead, WARG contacts the interviewees directly to give offers. We technically can use the ranking system but it’s never been optimal. Going late for posting is a requirement from the SDC but also nice to ensure we don’t encourage students to take an unpaid co-op over a paid one.
Review the startup guide to ensure that it has all of the required information.
If the co-op student expresses interest in working on a different project over the one planned in the startup guide, see if there’s an opportunity to give them that experience.
Co-ops are very dynamic so staying flexible is important as a manager
1-2 weeks before the start date, send a reminder email using the WARG email with the following:
Start date and time
Schedule an introductory meeting at this time
Start location
Instructions to get to the location
Link to startup guide
Reminder to complete pre 1st day tasks
Good morning [co-op student name], Welcome to WARG!
Here is the schedule for your 1st day:
We have created a startup guide for you, found here: [link] Please complete the pre 1st day tasks before your start date! [closing], [your name] [signature block] |
Hi [co-op student name], We’re so excited to have you joining us [next week/in 2 weeks/whenever]! Here’s all the information you need to get started: If you haven’t already, please complete the pre 1st day tasks in your startup guide, found here: [link] Please plan to arrive at the [location] at [time] on [date]. You can get to [location] by [instructions]. Here’s the schedule for your 1st day:
[closing], [your name] [signature block] |
todo organize
Each SDC team is permitted to hire up to 2 co-ops, any higher and you need approval.
Megan Spee wrote a really good one Andrew Wright [W23 Mech Co-op] - Startup Guide
WARG’s current guidelines extend the SDC’s requirements for a job posting and thus can be used
The co-op supervisor needs to be
a 3rd or 4th-year student
On a school term or has an employer on campus
Note: Spring 2021, WARG got approval despite having a supervisor who was on co-op that wasn’t employed by the University. This was likely because the role at the time was fully remote.
Once you’ve found the co-op supervisor & safety captain, they will need to complete the following courses that can be found on LEARN, alongside the team lead: (Do these ahead of time!)
Employee Safety Orientation
Workplace Violence Awareness
WHMIS 2015 for Employees
Laboratory Safety
Supervisor Safety Awareness Training
ENG student Machine shop card/training
After approval has been sought, you may proceed to step 4
Hello [Candidate Name], I am sending this email to confirm that we've extended you the offer for the [Posting Name] position, which expires on [Date] at [Time] EST. Here are a few extra details about your coop term with WARG:
The WARG team is looking forward to working with you! Congratulations, [Your name here] |
If an individual helping assist in the co-op search feels as though they have a conflict of interest, they should inform the individuals assisting the co-op search and team lead.
Ex: Involved together in another organization, friends outside of school, etc.
Good rule of thumb is: “Do I have their contact on something outside of LinkedIn”?
Involved parties should not be scheduled the same interview to maintain objectiveness.
Involved member may provide a balanced evaluation, but should not contribute in ranking the individual
Undisclosed conflict of interest
Involved member will be removed from the co-op search effort
Candidate will be dealt with on a case by case basis
DO NOT IGNORE THIS PHASE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IF YOU HAVE HIRED A CO-OP
Send the startup guide a few days before starting to prime them for their expected tasks and get a line of communication going.
You need to submit the co-op information form within 2 weeks of hiring the co-op.
Note that the form has various requirements that need to be completed, including safety training.
Note that the form requires Safety Coordinator & Team Lead to complete Supervisor Safety Awareness Training (SO1100). The training is now renamed Supervisor Orientation Online (SO1100)