Co-op Preparation
Before your first work term, you will have completed a workshop in BIOL 2010H: Communicating Conservation Biology I that will cover items such as:
- Tailoring your job search documents to conservation biology specific jobs;
- Key topics in the work place, such as professional communication; and
- Job search tools, researching and networking, and interviewing.
You'll also start applying to jobs and going to interviews during your school term. You may not land your dream job for your first work term, but working hard and taking the initiative to gain useful skills can set you up for success in future co-op terms.
Co-op Hiring Incentives
Ontario Co-operative Education Tax Credit
- Available to all eligible employers who hire co-op students from an Ontario university. Employers can receive 25% (30% for small businesses) of expenditures back-up to a maximum of $3,000 for each placement.
- Eligible employers must: have a permanent establishment located in Ontario, and be subject to Ontario income tax, and, incur eligible expenditures associated with hiring co-op students enrolled in an Ontario university or college.
Job Postings
Host agencies submit job postings to the Biology Placement Officer, Jennifer Kerswill, by email. Conservation Biology Co-op job postings will be displayed on the Conservation Biology Co-op Program Community within Blackboard. All students in the Conservation Biology Co-op Program will be added to this community and it can be viewed using the Blackboard platform in myTrent. These postings will be open only to Conservation Biology Co-op students. Resumes are sent directly to the host agency, who decide whom to interview. Offers are made and accepted through the Placement Officer.
Other job postings are on the Trent University Student Job Board.
External to Trent University, the ECO Job Board and the Work Cabin job page are excellent sources for Canadian co-op jobs specific to Conservation Biology.
Support
Trent University Careerspace
Contact about:
- Support with resume writing and cover letters
- Interview Preparation
- Career Counselling
All Trent University students are encouraged to use Careerspace as early as first semester, and certainly throughout their undergraduate degree. Browse their website for more information regarding job postings, workshops and career advising. Students can sign up for an appointment through the Student Experience Portal.
Biology Department Placement Officer
Contact about:
- Help finding your next co-op
- Help finding a place to live
- Questions about your co-op job, once matched
- Questions or concerns during your work term
Jennifer Kerswill, Placement Officer, Biology Department
(705) 748-1011 ext 7808
LHS D223
Biology Department Coordinator & Advisor
Contact about:
- Questions about your academic program
- Questions about your co-op degree requirements
- Questions about your study/work sequence
Tracy Ross, Coordinator & Advisor, Biology Department
(705) 748-1011 ext 6154
LHS D222
