How To Get An IT Job In Canada: College Stories 4/6 — co-op@SLiDE

Finally, we are talking about co-op which will be the most important term in your school life. Before we begin the story, let’s check where we are now.

Semester 1 → Semester 2 → Semester 3 → Co-op 1 → Co-op 2 → Semester 4
(you can check previous stories)

I already mentioned briefly what co-op is before but I will explain it again for those who are not from the previous story. Co-op is working at a company to gain practical experience while studying. In my program — Computer Programmer at Algonquin College, there are two co-ops (4 months each) which are optional and scheduled after the third semester. You will be working with either private sector or public sector. There are pros and cons in-between them so you probably want to research which one would be suited for you. Regarding a job interview for co-op, I am planning to write a story after these college stores. So stay tuned!

My first co-op was with SLiDE (Service Learning in Design & Engineering) — one of school projects. Since it’s a project on campus, basically, I was hired by my college. Experience at SLiDE was the most precious and unique. I’d like to thank Kevin Holmes who is a Project Manager at SLiDE for the opportunity again.

SLiDE has a simple but very meaningful goal. There are many non-profit organizations in Ottawa. They are run with great aims for the local community but many of them aren’t enough to promote themselves due to lack of financial support. Here’s what SLiDE can support, not only we help them with student’s technical skills but also students gain hands-on experiences. We help them and grow together.

As the founding team called SLiDE 1.0, we started from scratch. We defined our mission, designed our logo…