Nineteen new competitive co-op streams in English, Business, Philosophy, International Development Studies and other programs across the humanities and social sciences will provide Trent University students with paid work experience and a career advantage upon graduation.

 “We know that a Trent degree – and particularly one in the humanities or social sciences – prepares students to go far in any career of their choosing. Our new competitive co-op streams will give students the opportunity to put their skills to work in a variety of different sectors,” says Dr. Mark Skinner, dean of Humanities and Social Sciences at Trent University. “This means that students will not only build valuable career connections, but also have the opportunity to bring value to organizations and employers within our local communities and beyond.”

Trent’s new co-op streams build on the University’s long-standing commitment to provide all students with guaranteed career experiences during their time as undergraduates. All streams can be completed as part of a four-year Trent degree.

“In-demand skills – communication, critical thinking and thoughtful leadership – are developed in programs across a variety of disciplines at Trent,” explains Kevin Whitmore, director of Careerspace, which is overseeing the new co-op programs. “These new co-op streams will help students explore their career options and apply their skills through 12 months of paid work experience.”

Within Trent’s new co-op streams, students will complete three paid work terms with local, national and even international employers. Students can choose to either find their own placement or apply for one from the database of opportunities set up through Careerspace at Trent. Students in the co-op stream will also participate in a dedicated co-op course that will assist them with preparing for the work terms and set them up for success during their placement.  

Building on existing co-op offerings in Computer Science and Conservation Biology, Trent’s 19 new co-op streams span a variety of disciplines and fields of study:

Opportunities for employers
A co-op student provides tremendous value for employers as an opportunity to develop and recruit new talent, fill hiring needs and gain from a meaningful and fresh perspective that a student can bring to an organization.

Hiring students from Trent’s approved co-op programs also allows employers to take advantage of tax credits (through the Ontario Tax Credit), and additional wage subsidies through the Student Work Placement Program.

Employers are invited to connect with Careerspace to explore opportunities to design a co-op position or hire a Trent co-op student. 

Applications now open

Applications for the new competitive co-op streams in all programs are now open for September 2022, with an 80% minimum average for students to be eligible. Learn more at trentu.ca/co-op.  Students can also learn more about co-op at Trent’s upcoming In-Person Open House event on Friday, April 1, 2022.