The ‘Real World?
(Co-operative Education Breaks

Through)

By Dionne Olsen

The ‘real world’ is a concept
that haunts many university
students. Parents have spent
years threatening their children
with the notion that they are
not prepared for the ‘real
world’. Every graduate’s worst
nightmare is that they are
going to end up flipping
burgers, that’s if they find a job
in today’s competitive market.
Everyone understands the
importance of post-secondary
education in regards to
obtaining employment.
However, the standard system
does not give students one of
the most critical criteria that a
prospective employer looks for
on a resume - experience. The
majority of students at one
point in time have encountered
the circular problem of No
Experience, No Job - No Job,
No Experience. The Co-
operative Education program
enables students to gain the
valuable work experience that
puts you ahead of other job
applicants.

Co-operative Education
offers students meaningful,
study related work experience
that is a prerequisite for most
post-graduate jobs. Students
will be able to establish a
valuable network of contacts.
and get a first hand look at
career opportunities. You will
be able to develop valuable
workplace skills such as
teamwork, business
communication, writing and
computer skills. One of the
best benefits for many students
is that the earnings from Co-ap
employment can help offset a
current student loan debit or
pay for tuition.

Now that you are so psyched
about getting involved, here is

the criteria: a minimum of 60
credit hours before you begin
your first work term, a
cumulative minimum of 2.75
(including transfer GPA),
transfer students must complte
at least one full semester at
UNBC before their first work
term, willingness to complete
4 work terms (13-16-weeks per
term), willingness to relocate
for at least one work term if
necessary, and willingness to
work one fall work term if
necessary.

Now that you seem
overwhelmed with the time
commitment, take a breath and
rationalize. There is that
common misconception that
Co-op delays graduation (and
who wants to stick around here
longer than they need to?).
Although the average delay
time is normally between 4 to
8 months. However, don’t
forget that this time is well
spent, during which you will
have gained that all important
aspect of EXPERIENCE (and
money). Don’t forget that Co-
op offers the opportunity to get
summer employment in your
related field, so why spend
another summer in a dead end
job?

Co-op also allows you to find

_out that if that job you had in

mind is actually your dream or
dreadfully disappointed. With
related work experience,
students are able to find out if
all-the theory they’ve spent
years learning can be put into
practice (or whether their
professor have been lying).
The Co-op experience is not
like job shadow experience of
high school. The first day you
walk through the door, you’re
no longer a student, you’re an

Books on Fourth

Phone 563-6627
Fax 563-6610
Toll Free 1-800-303-2950

1229 4th Avenue
Prince George, B.C.
V2L 355

employee and you will b
treated as one.

So, if you’re interested in
making those valuable contacts
“and getting
EXPERIENCE in the ‘real
world’, wander over to the Co-
op office located on the corner
of Student Services Street and
talk to the very friendly
coordinators, Lu or Dave. They
are more than willing to help
you get started or just answer
your questions. Look for the
continuing saga of The ‘Real
World” in the next issue of
Over The Edge when we
interview students who
participate in the Co-op

program working for small and
large corporate businesses.

some

February 3, 1997 — Over The Edge -- Page 5

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