Arts Co-op Majors
With more than 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students, the Faculty of Arts is the largest and most diverse faculty at Laurier. The 11 departments and interdisciplinary programming span a number of fields in the social sciences and humanities.
Students often take the majors below in combination with a second major, such as Anthropology, Cultural Studies, Medieval Studies or Women & Gender Studies. Arts co-op is available to honours students at the Waterloo Campus in the following majors:
- Ancient Studies
- Archaeology and Heritage Studies
- Communication Studies
- English **
- Environmental Studies
- Film Studies **
- Geography*
- Global Studies
- History
- Languages and Literatures, including French and Spanish
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Religion and Culture
- Sociology
*Geography is available as both a BA and a BSc.
**Students in English or Film Studies: If you intend to participate in the Vancouver Film School Pathway, you will not be eligible for co-op, because the VFS Pathways program requires you to relocate to Vancouver before the end of your first work term and limits your employment options for your second work term.
“My abstract understanding of international development has transformed into real-world insights about humanitarian work, public policy and foreign aid, through my co-op experience at War Child Canada.”
Hayley Newman-Petryshen, Global Studies, Class of 2021
Work/Study Sequence
Arts co-op students complete two work terms of four months each in the summer following their second and third years of study.
|
Year |
Fall (September-December) |
Winter (January - April) |
Spring (May-August) |
|
Year 1 |
Study Term |
Study Term |
Break |
|
Year 2 |
Study Term |
Study Term |
Work Term 1 |
|
Year 3 |
Study Term |
Study Term |
Work Term 2 |
|
Year 4 |
Study Term |
Study Term |
|
Average Weekly Salary (Arts Co-op and Science Co-op)
|
Industry |
First Work Term |
Second Work Term |
||
|
Highest Salary |
Lowest Salary |
Highest Salary |
Lowest Salary |
|
|
Academic |
$700 |
minimum wage |
$630 |
$560 |
|
Federal |
$709 |
$662 |
- |
- |
|
Municipal |
$713 |
$618 |
$890 |
$568 |
|
Non-Profit |
$529 |
minimum wage |
minimum wage |
minimum wage |
|
Private |
$808 |
minimum wage |
$1063 |
minimum wage |
|
Provincial |
$596 |
$596 |
$735 |
$735 |
|
Overall Average |
$649 |
|||
Sample Jobs (Arts Co-op and Science Co-op)
Underwriting Analyst, AIG Canada, Toronto
- Analyze financial statements, assist with quote generation and complete rating for exposure and pricing for underwriters.
Software Prototyper, Deloitte, Kitchener
- Create solutions for the firm and our clients using emerging technologies such as deep learning, machine learning and blockchain.
Technical Writer, Ericsson Canada, Mississauga
- Gather technical information, and write and edit high-quality technical product documentation.
Marketing and Communications Co-op, FairVentures, Kitchener
- Coordinate and create reports, newsletters and presentations for stakeholders, and use Google Analytics to analyze articles.
Finance Systems Co-ordinator, Fibernetics Corporation, Cambridge
- Improve the integration of financial and operations systems, along with data analysis and reporting for senior management.
Volunteer Managing Co-ordinator, Georgian Bay Folk Society, Owen Sound
- Develop policies for screening volunteers, identify risk management strategies and deliver training sessions.
Community Events Assistant, Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, Kitchener
- Promote and support fundraisers and physical activity programs, including Big Bike and Jump Rope for Heart.
Cataloguer, Muskoka Lakes Museum, Port Carling
- Photograph and catalogue artifacts in the museum’s collection and cross-check records and inventories.
Back-end/full Stack Developer, North60 Technologies, Mississauga
- Handle database migration, test web applications, and build and deploy features.
Wellness Centre Student, Parkwood Suites, Waterloo
- Assist residents with their physiotherapy programs and participate in planning games, fitness classes, and walking groups.
Events & Social Media Co-ordinator, Reception House Waterloo Region, Kitchener
- Promote fundraising and refugee awareness events by developing online and print marketing materials, and oversee the logistics of events.
Environmental Laboratory Assistant, Region of Waterloo, Cambridge
- Sterilize equipment, maintain analytical instruments, prepare solutions, and treat chemical and biological wastes generated during tests.
Build Engineer, Sandvine, Waterloo
- Contribute improvements and fixes for continuous, automated build systems that support the team’s software development life cycle.
AgriVenture Counsellor, Steckle Heritage Farm, Kitchener
- Plan, organize and lead educational and recreational activities and communicate with parents about their children’s experiences.