Bachelor of Commerce (Digital Marketing) - Postsecondary ...

4.6 Work Experience
Co‐operative Education is a process which formally integrates academic study with paid, related
work experience. Co‐operative Education at Fanshawe is designed to bridge the gap between
education and the workplace by integrating academic studies with paid work experience and onthe‐
job application of theory. More than just a job, the co‐operative work experience is actually
part of the students' curriculum, and their on‐the‐job performance becomes part of their academic
record. Therefore, co‐op students are highly motivated to apply their skills and perform well in the
workplace.
Qualifying co‐op work experience opportunities will include marketing‐related positions in a
business environment, with a digital marketing experience component.
The mandatory co‐op work term in the proposed program occurs after successful completion of
semester 7, during the winter. Semester 8 will be offered in the fall semester, so students will have
the option to extend their co‐op with a second term through the summer. The co‐op work term will
be a minimum of 14 weeks in length, will be paid at or above the statutory wage rate, and will be
supervised.
Students will compete to secure the co‐op work opportunities, and must perform at a level
satisfactory to their workplace supervisor. At the beginning of the work term co‐op students will, in
collaboration with their employer, determine the expected outcomes for the work term. Students
are monitored by the co‐op consultant and evaluated by the employer. Students receive feedback
from both the employer and the co‐op consultant, and receive an academic credit for successful
completion of the work‐term, a requirement for graduation.
Employers and students evaluate the placement at the end of the work term, using the evaluation
forms (Figures 4.1 and 4.2). Near the midpoint of the work term, the co‐op consultant visits with
both the employer and student to informally question the student’s progress and determine
whether any intervention is needed to ensure the learning objectives established at the beginning of
the work term are achievable.
Co‐operative education placements will be available in many organizations including government,
non‐profit, manufacturing, hospitality, health care, and various other sectors. During the Academica
research interviews with employers, the majority of employers interviewed agreed to provide co‐op
work opportunities to Fanshawe students in a Bachelor of Commerce program. Because of the
breadth involved in this Bachelor of Commerce program, students will be eligible for work
placement opportunities in a wide range of marketing fields, but most will be working in a digital
marketing role where the opportunities are strong across Canada.
The Co‐operative Education Department has consultants who deliver classes, counsel and advise
students, maintain records, market and promote programs, co‐ordinate and identify a variety of
employment opportunities, and monitor work performance. Before the first work term, they will
explain in detail how the co‐op program works and prepare students for employment.
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