When Khuong Vu walked across the stage to receive his undergraduate degree at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) recently, he already had a job.
And he’s convinced it’s because of the three co-operative education (co-op) placements he did while working on his BBA in accounting at KPU.
Without co-op, I would not be where I am today,” says Vu, who is an assurance associate for PricewaterhouseCoopers. “Co-op opened doors for me.”
Co-operative education is a program that integrates academic studies with paid, full-time work. KPU students who enrol in co-op gain practical experience in their chosen field while earning a competitive wage.
Co-op programs alternate between study and work semesters, thereby allowing students to apply the skills and knowledge they acquire from their on-campus courses to real-life work experiences, and vice-versa.
“It’s a winning experiential combination,” says Shawn Erickson, KPU’s director of Co-operative Education and Career Services. “Students graduate with a credential having gained insight into their chosen field, while earning a salary.”
Co-op placements at KPU have grown from 134 placements in the 2008/09 semester to 264 placements in 2013/14. Erickson credits the success of the program to the hard work of his KPU team and the accomplishments of Co-op students in their work terms.
“There really is no downside to cooperative education,” says Erickson. “Students gain experience while making positive contributions to the success of their co-op employer through the skills and knowledge they bring to the workplace.”
Vu completed three co-op placements at KPU. He worked at Heli-One as a finance intern doing bank reconciliations, variance analysis and a project for the company’s Chief Financial Officer. Vu also worked as a corporate tax assessor for the Canada Revenue Agency.
“My work term expanded my overall academic experience,” Vu explains. “I felt like a contributor in my classes rather than just a student learning something and needing to pass.”
Vu says co-op placements also give students valuable opportunities to network because “you never know who will help you down the road. Connections are so important these days.”
KPU offers co-operative education within the following programs:
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Computer information systems diploma
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Environmental technology diploma
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Marketing management diploma
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Bachelor of technology in information technology
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Bachelor of business administration in accounting
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Bachelor of business administration in entrepreneurial leadership
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Bachelor of business administration in human resources management
For more information on co-operative education at KPU, visit www.kpu.ca/co-op.
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Caption: Khuong Vu says his co-op placement helped him find employment after graduation.
Media contact:
Hayley Woodin
Media Specialist, KPU
t: 604.599.2883
c: 604.364.1288
hayley.woodin@kpu.ca
For more KPU news:
@KPUmedia
kpu.ca/newsroom
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