Co-op Jobs and CareerReady

Co-op job postings are located within Mohawk’s job portal, CareerReady. Students are able to gain access to the co-op job board once they have met the eligibility requirements established within the Co-op Prep course.

Availability of Co-op Jobs

The Co-op department endeavors to provide sufficient job opportunities for all co-op students but cannot guarantee that all students will secure a co-op position in every co-op work term. The co-operative education process is competitive and the employer makes the final selection. The majority of co-op students are successful in securing co-op employment, however, this success is directly related to the motivation, qualifications, and efforts of individual students, as well as labour market and economic factors, and therefore, employment, cannot be guaranteed.

Students Finding Own Co-op Job

The Co-op department supports and encourages students to seek and secure their own co-op position. To have a job approved for co-op credit, students are required to complete a “Co-op Own Job Approval Form” (available in CareerReady under Quicklinks) and have it approved by a Co-op Specialist prior to accepting a position.

The position must provide work that is relevant to the student’s field of study and comply with the requirements of co-operative education. The form must be submitted to the Co-op Specialist for approval before the beginning of the work term.

Please note: Failure to submit a Co-op Own Job Approval Form or submit it later in the co-op work term will result in an “NG”, no grade for the co-op term.

Expectations When Applying to Co-op Positions

Students are expected to:

1. Engage fully in the co-op job search process, applying to the maximum number of co-op positions to optimize the potential for securing co-op employment.
2. Regularly check and respond to Mohawk College email communication from the Co-op department as well as CareerReady, during the job posting period.
3. Read all co-op job descriptions and disclaimers and only apply to those positions in which the student has a genuine interest, appropriate qualifications, and means of transportation.
4. Understand that students may be at a disadvantage if they are limited in their ability to apply to jobs because of: geographical location, lack of driver’s license, and lack of a vehicle.
5. Provide employers with accurate and timely information regarding qualifications when requested; this may include additional information including academic transcripts, police clearance, references, and samples of work.
6. Maintain the confidentiality of the information contained on CareerReady; including co-op job posting information and employer contact information.

Participating in Co-op Interviews

Students are expected to:

1. Regularly check their Mohawk College email for interview notifications and immediately confirm their interview on CareerReady.
2. Make arrangements with faculty if the interview conflicts with a class or lab.
3. Arrive at the interview on time and prepared for both in-person and virtual interviews.
4. Contact their Co-op Specialist immediately if they are unable to attend a scheduled interview.
5. Notify their Co-op Specialist immediately if an employer contacts the student directly, to set up an interview.

Please note: Students who fail to attend a scheduled interview, or decline more than two interviews, will be blocked access to applying to co-op jobs on CareerReady.

Accepting a Co-op Job Offer

Students are expected to:

1. Inform their Co-op Specialist of any job offers they receive directly from an employer (not through the co-op department).
2. Respond to job offers within the timelines given to them in the offer email. A student’s decision regarding a job offer must be received by the Co-op Specialist within 24 hours of the student being notified. Failure to respond to an offer within the Co-op department’s set timeframe will result in the offer being revoked.
3. Recognize that acceptance of verbal offers are binding regardless of whether a formal offer letter has been signed and submitted.
4. Understand that some offers may have conditions of employment (ie- academic requirements that need to be maintained, as a condition of employment). Students who accept offers with conditions do so with full knowledge of the conditions of employment.
5. Understand the consequences of quitting or leaving a co-op position before the agreed-upon end date, may result in a FL grade and blocked access to the co-op job board.

Please note: Once a job offer has been accepted, the student is committed to that position for the specified employment end date and/or contract dates outlined in the student’s offer. Any further job search activity ceases; students will not have access to apply to further positions on CareerReady and should not be attending interviews.

Declining Job Offers

When students turn down job offers, employer relationships can be jeopardized. Students must have a valid reason for declining a job offer and must meet with their Co-op Specialist before declining, to discuss the reason; unless they are declining in a situation where they have multiple offers.

Students who decline two job offers will no longer be eligible to view, apply for, or interview for job postings that are generated by the Co-op department. This includes applications submitted prior to declining the second job offer, and any pending or upcoming interview schedules (student will be removed from upcoming schedules).

Additional Job Requirements

Some positions may require additional clearances as part of the hiring process. Students may be asked to obtain police clearances and clean driver’s abstracts as a condition of employment. Some employers also perform security clearances, criminal reference checks, medical assessments, and drug testing. Students may also be requested to supply their own Protective Equipment (PPE) (i.e.- safety boots and safety glasses).