Why UBC Science Co-op

Why should you hire a UBC co-op student?

Watch as students describe why you’re not just hiring a UBC student, you’re hiring UBC.

With the largest Co-op Program in Western Canada, UBC offers you access to over 5,000 co-op students across Applied Science, Arts, Business, Forestry and Science. We pre-select students so you can feel confident you’re getting the best candidate for the job. The best is the only thing you’ll get. The opportunity you’re providing our students is invaluable. That’s why we’ll provide you with support for recruiting, interviewing and hiring. 

Hiring a Co-op student is one of the most effective means for employers across many sectors to identify and acquire key talent.

UBC Science Co-op provides Canadian and international employers with access to qualified and motivated UBC Science students. Since 1980, we've helped thousands of employers find students to work at their organizations.

Here are some advantages to hiring a student from UBC Science Co-op:

  • High Quality Talent. Our students are educated (have at least 1 year of relevant science education completed), pre-selected (have high academic standing), ready to work (have work permits), and offer organizations their fresh perspectives and energy.
  • Continuous Placement. UBC Science Co-op students are available each term, meaning you can have a student in a position year-round, year after year.
  • Save Money on Recruiting. Hiring a UBC Science Co-op student can allow you to save time on your recruitment efforts by exposing you to good potential full-time employee and/or graduate student candidates on a continuous basis.
  • We Make it Easy for Employers. Our Business development team is committed to providing the highest levels of prompt and personalized service. Try us!

Disciplines and skills availableBased outside of Canada?

Hiring Basics

Why Hire from UBC Science Co-op?

  • Science Co-op connects employers with a range of undergraduate and graduate (in Statistics and Computer Science) talent, who are keen to add value and contribute to a variety of workplace opportunities
  • The program has a long of history of successfully working with employers in industry, academia and government, while ensuring that each Science Co-op student successfully completes their placement requirements
  • Our student workshops are designed to educate students on success in the workplace, empowering them to be top performers
  • Science Co-op operates on a continuous placement model, meaning that we have students available throughout each term 

Who are UBC Science Co-op Students?

  • Undergraduate and graduate (in Computer Science and Statistics) Science students who participate in the Science Co-op program have met the Co-op program’s criteria for entry, which includes:  sound academic standing, growing amounts of research/work/volunteer experience and a balanced lifestyle (many participate in extra-curricular activities).
  • Students are available on a Continuous Placement Model: employers hire on a first-come, first-served basis. Employers start posting jobs January 1, May 1, and September 1, and hiring commences soon after that for the next term.
  • Here is the complete list of programs and skills for available students: https://sciencecoop.ubc.ca/employers/programsandskills.

Work Placement Requirements

To hire UBC Science Co-op students, employers need to create work placements (similar to internship positions) that are:

  • Full-time (35-40 hours per week, with a minimum of 420 hours per work-term)
  • Paid. Employers fund the positions – read guidelines and find grants on Salaries + Funding
  • 3 to 16 months long. Employers can create work terms ranging in length from 3 to 16 months long, stretching out in 3-4 month continuous increments. Most work placements are 4 months long. Work terms start in early January, early May and/or early September. We always have students available to hire at these times

We encourage employers to maintain co-op positions year after year. This brings your workplace a continuous flow of new knowledge and perspective, while also affirming (to your clients and staff) that your workplace values learning and giving back to its profession.

Yes, We love Employers Outside of BC and Canada

  • We welcome employers anywhere in BC, Canada, and across the world
  • The hiring process is not complicated
  • Employers and students both benefit with this international exchange of knowledge and experience. Receive help through this process from UBC Science Co-op Team
  • Read more on International Employers

Top 10 Things BC Employers Should Know 

*Please refer to the latest BC minimum wage here.

Musqueam First Nation land acknowledegement

We honour xwməθkwəy̓ əm (Musqueam) on whose ancestral, unceded territory UBC Vancouver is situated. UBC Science is committed to building meaningful relationships with Indigenous peoples so we can advance Reconciliation and ensure traditional ways of knowing enrich our teaching and research.

Learn more: Musqueam First Nation

UBC Science Co-op

Chem/Phys
170-6221 University Boulevard V6T 1Z1
604 822 9677
science.coop@ubc.ca

Faculty of Science

Office of the Dean, Earth Sciences Building
2178–2207 Main Mall
Vancouver, BC Canada
V6T 1Z4
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