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Ontario Tech acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.

We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

Learn more about Indigenous Education and Cultural Services

Co-ops and Internships

Students at Ontario Tech University have the option to participate in paid, program-related work placements while working toward their degrees.  A co-op or internship term typically begins in May, September, or January, and can be 4, 8, 12 or 16 months in length.  For information specific to each faculty, please see further details below.

Why recruit from Ontario Tech University?

  • Employing co-op students is cost-effective and provides a valuable screening process for future employees.

  • The Co-operative Education Tax Credit (CETC) and possible Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) award.

  • These highly motivated and creative students bring new energy, and a fresh perspective to some of our challenging issues.

  • You'll have access to a year-round supply of motivated students who have acquired the theoretical foundations and technical skills to be immediately productive on the job.

  • You'll have access to highly qualified co-op students, who can provide short-term relief in times of high workload, special projects and employee leave.

  • You'll reduce the costs of recruitment by not having to advertise for limited-term positions.

What are your responsibilities as an employer?

  • Complete evaluations as requested during the work term, discuss comments with students and send copies to Ontario Tech University.

  • Ensure a supportive and constructive work environment.

  • Offer appropriate supervision, coaching and mentorship, and ensure ongoing and clear communication.

  • Participate as an advisor in the writing of the work report and complete the employer’s component.

  • Plan regular meetings with students to discuss goals and projects, and provide regular verbal feedback.

  • Provide orientation to the workplace and required safety training.

  • Provide work that offers program-related experience and appropriate challenges.

Which faculties and programs offer co-ops and/or internships?

The Faculty of Business and Information Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Faculty of Science, and Faculty of Social Science and Humanities partner with the Career Centre to offer students opportunities to gain industry experience through participation in optional co-ops and/or internships. 

Business and Information Technology:

To be eligible for the internship program, students must be completing Year 2 courses and maintain a minimum 2.3 cumulative GPA each semester, at the time of registration in the internship course.

Participating programs include: Commerce (Business), Game Development and Interactive Media, and Networking and Information Technology Security. 

Masters students: Masters' students must have completed eight months (two semesters and 12 credit hours) and maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA each semester, at the time of registration in the internship course. Participating programs include: Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology Security, and Information Technology Security - Artificial Intelligence and Security. 

More information can be found on the Business and Information Technology website. 

Engineering and Applied Science: 

To be eligible for the co-op program, students must be completing Year 2 courses and maintain a minimum 2.3 cumulative GPA each semester. 

Participating programs include: Automotive Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Health Physics and Radiation Science, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, and Software Engineering.

More information can be found on the Engineering and Applied Science website. 

Science:

To be eligible for the co-op program, students must be in Year 2 or above and meet the minimum requirement of a 2.7 cumulative GPA. Students would begin to apply for opportunities for the summer term, after their second year of study.

Participating programs include: Applied and Industrial Mathematics, Biological Science, Chemistry, Computer Science, Integrated Mathematics and Computer Science, and Physics.  

More information can be found on the Science website. 

Social Science and Humanities:

An internship is typically 8 to 16 weeks in duration and must be at least 280 hours of continuous employment, up to a maximum of 16 consecutive months. To qualify, a student must be in clear academic standing, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and have completed 84 credit hours (fourth-year standing) in their program of study.

Participating programs include: Communication and Digital Media Studies, Criminology and Justice, Forensic Psychology, Legal Studies, Liberal Studies, Political Science, and Psychology. 

More information can be found on the Social Science and Humanities website. 

Ongoing recruitment for co-op and internship:

Our co-op and internship programs do not follow the rank-and-match criteria, and therefore, you may post your opportunities, interview, and give offers at any time of the year as long as the start dates occur in May, September, or January.  We will do our best to respond to any last-minute recruitment needs that you may have.

How do employers recruit from other faculties?

The Faculty of Education requires that students in the consecutive program complete three professional practica throughout the one-year program. Students in the concurrent program complete one professional practicum each year. 

The Faculty of Health Sciences Medical Laboratory Science students complete three clinical practica starting in their sixth semester. Nursing students complete professional practices every year starting in the second semester. 

Hire top talent in four easy steps!

Step one: Input your co-op or internship posting on the Student Life Portal or email details to careercentre@ontariotechu.ca.  Students may apply to you directly or through the portal, which allows a bundle of applications to be sent to you on the application deadline. 

Step two (optional): Arrange an information session targeting students in related programs.

Step three: Hold interviews with selected candidates for free on our campus or at your place of business. Interviews may also be scheduled by the Career Centre team. Note: Please connect with the appropriate Internship and Co-op Co-ordinator listed below, to confirm a student's eligibility, prior to setting up any interviews. 

Step four: Present job offers to students, and notify the appropriate Internship and Co-op Co-ordinator listed below. 

How can you promote your company on campus?

The more students know about your company, the more likely you are to generate interest and attract top talent. Plan to visit the university to find out more about us and raise the profile of your company on campus.

Join us on campus by participating in:

  • Employer information sessions
  • Employer panels
  • Job Fairs (Winter)
  • Networking events
  • Reverse Career Fair (Fall)

Contact the Career Centre at careercentre@ontariotechu.ca to take advantage of any of these opportunities! 

If you have any questions or would like to post an opportunity, contact:

Bramsha Panchadcharam
Co-op and Internship Coordinator
Career Centre
905.721.8668 ext. 3824
bramsha.panchadcharam@ontariotechu.ca 

Melissa Whittaker (Braccia)
Co-op and Internship Coordinator
Career Centre
905.721.8668 ext. 6701
melissa.braccia@ontariotechu.ca 

For more information about Ontario Tech University, visit ontariotechu.ca.