International Co-op Students

Challenges and Opportunities

Darlene O’Neill, Manager, Career, Co-op and CES Fanshawe College

Lori Elliott, Associate Dean, Faculty of Business Sheridan College

Fresh perspectives for employer and the institution

Very high levels of engagement and commitment to finding co-op opportunities

Fun to work with

Opportunities

Run specialized programming: bootcamps, extra prep course

Bring in speakers/coaches from their native culture

One on one coaching Specialized workshops Junior student buddy/mentors

Challenge: Cultural Competency

Partner with community immigrant services and have them do a session(s) with staff

Specialized PD for staff (cultural EQ) Student mentors (same culture) Providing a mentor from country of origin Peer connections Learning from Canadian peers

Challenge: Cultural Competency

Discussion of importance of educating employees Canadian “politeness” versus being directional,

straight forward with consequences PD sessions on Canadian norms and Canadian values

and expectations Workplace culture and professionalism in workplace –

in development Employers on campus – weekend sessions, specific

information sessions for each group Mentor

Challenge: Cultural Competency

One on one - time consuming International centre Booklet - handbook on ‘how to’ Senior student/buddy – country of origin  Information session for ethnic groups with

specific details Mentors

Challenge: Cultural Competency

Pre-entry testing and interviewing Use work study students/Peer Mentors to

provide extensive 1:1 mock interviews Use on line tools such as Interview Stream

Challenge: Language

Social mandatory discussion classes (minimum five classes, 90 minutes in English)

Writing centre (students helping international students)

Encourage volunteer to practice English One on one guidance Partnering with employer who hire specific

international students Video tape students and give feedback

Challenge: Language

UBC sets language requirements PD sessions partnered with local students –

practice Intake interview process – take language

course Collaboration with Career Services (resumes

and cover letters)  Use work study/mentors – mock interviews

Challenge: Language

Pre-entry testing and interviewing needs to be more stringent

Language centre to work with students to meet higher criteria

Minimum five sessions of ninety minutes by ESL as part of the requirement from co-op. Some students keep going for up to ten sessions (even 15+). Sessions are about talking in English with others – get them to practice

Challenge: Language

Tough one Encourage car pooling Encourage local on bus route job searches Positions with staff bussing available Scooter and bicycle International license pre coming to Canada

(in English

Challenge: No drivers license

Recruiters Reality of program and job requirements Standard information so students know what to

expect Meeting with co-op team to engage and make sure

all students are aware of requirements and expectations

Campus hiring shuttle drivers Ask employers participation to offer rides and such

Challenge: No drivers license

Encourage on-campus involvement such as volunteer or co-curricular experiences

Encourage campus partners to hire for work experiences

Volunteer Social Competitions Non-related Work experience is valuable

Challenge: Lack of work experience (Canadian or other)

Focus on mining skill statements and recognitions from existing experiences

Applied education activities within programs Encourage off-campus volunteer Community encouragement, partner with

multi-cultural association Fundraising events, volunteering with

organization. Focus on culture coaching

Challenge: Lack of work experience (Canadian or other)

Create volunteer fair (Niagara College) UBC Career Services = Work experience on campus

Work to learn/work study jobs. Career Services subsidies

Work 10 hours per week Encourage students to participate in cultural

associations Join professional association as student to gain skills

and focus Change name to Canadian name

Challenge: Lack of work experience (Canadian or other)

On campus volunteer events Campus/faculty campus partners to hire for

work experience Focus on skills and how to transfer to

workplace Within the resume, students write a

summary on who they are, some of their skills, etc.

Challenge: Lack of work experience (Canadian or other)

Fraud – Fake co-op opportunities. Indian students going to Indian employers and will work for free on non-approved co-op terms. Huge need to audit and follow-up in order to approve

Challenge: Lack of work experience (Canadian or other)

Communicate, communicate, communicate – Pre-admission sessions

Build strong relationships with International Office

Provide recruiters with clear Co-op communiques

Challenge: Mismatch of expectations

Not using words like guarantee “placements” Special circumstances ‘rules changed’ Information to recruiters International department needs to

understand and duplicate standards Communication, information, policy

enforcement Information sessions

Challenge: Mismatch of expectations

Try to manage expectations Policy Create increased accountability for their own

job search If possible have satellite EO office on site for

job development

Challenge: Focus on graduate employment

Task force to establish policy Create increased accountability for their own

job search Engagement is protected by using a contract

signed by the student

Challenge: Focus on graduate employment

Customized programs and classes for International students

Small group advising On line workshops available for review,

review

Challenge: More preparation time and demands