Bachelor of Tourism Management Co-operative Education
Applying for Opportunities
Locating a co-op is a collaborative process that is intended to simulate the experiences that students will likely encounter after they finish their academic experience. We do not use a placement model but rather an open employment model. The fall semester planning course teaches students various methods and processes for finding and securing opportunities through a variety of means. During the spring, students apply for co-op positions that appeal to them (just like a regular summer job) they are interviewed by the employer and if successful, employed. Often the best co-ops are located by the student through their own network or direct contacts. We also have many co-op positions posted through CareerVIU Work-Integrated Learning co-op.
Once the student secures an appropriate co-op and completes a Work Term Record through CareerVIU Work-Integrated Learning; once approved by the co-op coordinator, a Letter of Agreement is sent to the employer and student to verify the experience.
Before Your Co-op
Prerequisites for the co-op is to successfully complete the planning course assignments and receive credit for TOUR 110 or TOUR 210, maintain a 2.33 GPA and prior approval from the Co-op Coordinator.
During Your Co-op
Typically we do two assessments for each co-op experience:
- Midpoint Assessment; most often this is done in a face to face meeting with the student, employer and co-op coordinator, or VIU designate. (Occasionally, we do online assessments as required)
- Final Assessment; this is completed by the employer and submitted to the co-op coordinator
The student is also required to complete a co-op report or assignment that highlights specific learning that occurred during the co-op experience.
Important Resources
Course resources are available in VIULearn and the internship resources are available through CareerVIU Work-Integrated Learning.