Business and Economics Co-op Program
Business and Economics co-op consists of three work terms of four months’ duration, between second and fourth year, enabling students to obtain 12 months of practical, full-time work experience. It has been designed to allow employers to have a position filled year-round by Laurier co-op students. Students apply for admission to Business and Economics co-op at the end of their first year.
Honours Business and Honours Economics
Laurier’s Business and Economics programs are recognized as both leading and innovative. Laurier programs use a variety of techniques, including case discussions, simulation
games, visits by business executives and student projects. By providing a real-time laboratory in which to experiment and apply theoretical learning, the programs help students develop a better understanding of how to work together to analyze situations and manage organizations.
Academic Credit
Undergraduate co-op students in Business and Economics programs receive academic credit for participating in co-op. To obtain the co-op designation on your transcript you need to pass the co-op fundamentals course, receive a rating of at least satisfactory on each work term report and receive a rating of at least satisfactory on each performance evaluation.
“Participating in the co-op program has allowed me to build my network within the Canadian banking and consulting industries, develop my interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence and put theory from the classroom into action at the office. After one term at Mercer and two terms at RBC I will return to the bank for a permanent role upon graduation. Laurier has enabled me to jump-start my career.”
Victoria Barbosa, BBA, Class of 2017
Co-op Work Terms
Each work term is developed in collaboration with the employer and approved by the Department of Cooperative Education as a suitable learning environment that will engage the student in productive work. Students apply to employers with whom they are interested in working. Employers are encouraged to interview on campus. Although employment cannot be guaranteed, every effort is made to ensure that suitable employment is available for students admitted to co-op.
The student's performance in the workplace is supervised and evaluated by the student’s employer. Co-op staff members monitor each student's progress during the work term. The co-op curriculum supports student learning goals, personal evaluation and reflection; students are required to set goals each term and write work term reports. Students are compensated by their employer for work performed.
Professional Recognition
The time spent on work terms is recognized as part of the experience requirements for the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation. Honours Business and
Honours Economics courses may be counted toward several designation programs, including the following:
- Chartered Financial Analyst
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
- Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA)
- Certified Human Resources Professionals (CHRP)
- Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL)
Laurier’s Lazaridis School of Business and Economics has received the highest form of accreditation from the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International, whose standards are recognized internationally. Laurier's Business and Economics co-op programs are accredited until Dec. 31, 2019 by the Canadian Association for Cooperative Education.
Programs with Co-op
- Honours Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
- Honours Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economics
- Honours Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economics and Accounting
- Honours Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economics and Financial Management
- Honours Bachelor of Business Technology Management (BBTM).
Honours Business Co-op
Laurier business programs are known for their high academic standards, student-centred teaching methods and comprehensive approach to all aspects of business. Through a variety of teaching techniques, including case discussion, simulation challenges, student projects and presentations by business executives, Laurier business students become proficient at solving business problems from a general management perspective.
Business Options
• Accounting
• Brand Communication and Management
• Business and Sustainability
• Entrepreneurship
• Finance
• Human Resources Management
• Insurance and Risk Management
• International Business
• Marketing
• Supply Chain Management
Work Study Sequence: Honours BBA Co-op (Including Accounting Stream)
|
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 |
Work Term 2 |
Study Term |
|
Year 4 |
Work Term 2 |
Study Term |
Study Term |
Honours Economics Co-op
The Lazaridis School's Department of Economics is committed to the pursuit of excellence in teaching and research within a mid-sized university with a strong sense of community. The department offers undergraduate programs leading to an Honours Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Economics, Economics and Accounting or Economics and Financial Management. Its location within the Lazaridis School enables the department to offer interdisciplinary programs which combine a traditional education in economics with the acquisition of skills in accounting, administration or financial management.
Work Study Sequence: Honours Economics (and Financial Management or Accounting) Co-op
|
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 |
Work Term 2 |
Study Term |
|
Year 4 |
Work Term 2 |
Study Term |
Study Term |
Bachelor of Business Technology Management Co-op (Brantford Campus)
Laurier’s Brantford campus introduced its first co-op program with the Honours Bachelor of Business Technology Management (BBTM). Students are equipped with traditional business skills, the latest knowledge of technology and courses in liberal arts and leadership. Graduates are prepared to be leaders in a turbulent world of technology-based change.
Students learn about working with new technologies in order to create business solutions. They assess the value that technology brings to an organization and how it can best be integrated with existing systems.
All students who meet the requirements of the program are eligible to participate in co-op. Students complete an eight-month work term from September through April and a four-month work term from September through December.
Laurier’s BBTM program has been accredited by the Information Technology Association of Canada
Students in the BBTM program receive academic credit for participating in co-op. To obtain the co-op designation on their transcript, students need to pass the co-op fundamentals course, receive a rating of at least satisfactory on each work term report and receive a rating of at least satisfactory on each performance evaluation.
Work Study Sequence: Bachelor of Business Technology Management Co-op
|
Year |
Fall (September-December) |
Winter (January - April) |
Spring (May-August) |
|
Year 1 |
Study Term |
Study Term |
Break |
|
Year 2 |
Study Term |
Study Term |
Study Term |
|
Year 3 |
Work Term 1 |
Work Term 2 |
Study Term |
|
Year 4 |
Work Term 3 |
Study Term |
Study Term |
Employer Testimonials
“We feel very fortunate to have access to quality co-op students thanks to Laurier’s Business Technology Management program. We’ve put our co-op students to work on projects ranging from marketing, social media and project management, to application planning and programming.”
Adrian Pynenburg, President, Connect Oasis Inc.
“Laurier BBTM co-op students have been a tremendous asset to RBC Technology & Operations. They bring energy and enthusiasm to their work every day and are eager to get involved. They are valued members of our program.”
Laura Robinson, Senior Manager, Campus Recruitment, Technology & Operations, RBC
Student Testimonial
“The Laurier BBTM co-op program gave me the experience I needed to succeed in today’s fast-paced business and technology industries.”
Andre Fischbacher, Honour Business Technology Management, Class of 2017
Jobs and Salaries
Average Weekly Salary
First Work Term, May - August 2017
|
|
Industry / Commerce |
Government |
Financial Institutions |
Chartered Accounting |
Capital Markets |
|
Highest Salary |
$1153 |
$1083 |
$866 |
$865 |
$1013 |
|
Lowest Salary |
$422 |
$507 |
$525 |
$525 |
$650 |
|
Average Salary |
$664 |
$642 |
$707 |
$749 |
$785 |
Second Work Term, January - April 2017
|
|
Industry / Commerce |
Government |
Financial Institutions |
Chartered Accounting |
Capital Markets |
|
Highest Salary |
$962 |
$1080 |
$1050 |
$962 |
$1538 |
|
Lowest Salary |
$500 |
$546 |
$488 |
$525 |
$500 |
|
Average Salary |
$730 |
$669 |
$765 |
$771 |
$868 |
Third Work Term, September - December 2017
|
|
Industry / Commerce |
Government |
Financial Institutions |
Chartered Accounting |
Capital Markets |
|
Highest Salary |
$1250 |
$900 |
$1200 |
$1013 |
$1692 |
|
Lowest Salary |
$488 |
$563 |
$500 |
$615 |
$500 |
|
Average Salary |
$758 |
$702 |
$809 |
$801 |
$1019 |
Sample Jobs
Risk Management / Insurance Broker Trainee
Aon Corporation, Toronto, ON
Participate in presentations, risk analysis, business negotiations and contract and insurance law.
Internal Audit
ATS Automation, Cambridge, ON
Perform compliance testing and financial reporting and assist with internal audits.
Project Management Co-op
Axonify, Waterloo, ON
Develop documents to help clients implement e-learning software and develop a rewards strategy for clients.
Customer Marketing
Bayer Group, Toronto, ON
Co-ordinate sales cycle priorities and participate in forecasting, sales analysis, trade inquiries, competitive activity tracking, special pack programs, display and coupon programs and category management projects.
Research Associate
Cambridge Advisors, CI Investments, Toronto, ON
Perform micro- and macro-industry research and assist with in-depth valuation analysis and detailed financial modelling.
Marketing Assistant - Communications and Branding
D2L Incorporated, Kitchener, ON
Assist with various initiatives in advertising, public relations, branding and product marketing.
Human Resources Assistant
General Motors Canada, Ingersoll, ON
Support recruitment, enhance training materials, maintain databases, and coordinate a student mentorship program.
IT Analyst
John Deere, Grimbsy, ON
Create and manage SharePoint sites and intranet web pages and present technical training demonstrations.
Career Rewards Consulting Analyst
Mercer, Toronto, ON
Analyze strategic, financial, and organizational information about clients and conduct research into business strategy, corporate performance, reward practices and industry trends.
XBOX Marketing Assistant
Microsoft Canada, Mississauga, ON
Participate in product marketing, including strategy development, identify performance metrics, and manage marketing materials such as digital assets.
Business Development Assistant
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Guelph, ON
Conduct research and competitive analysis on food, support new investment cases, identify emerging issues and write reports.
Finance Co-op
Procter & Gamble, Toronto, ON
Manage goals for sales and cost targets, perform financial analysis on projects to determine payout, identify external market trends and perform competitive benchmarking and channel analysis.
Global Investment Banking Co-op Analyst
RBC Capital Markets, Toronto, ON
Perform analytical tasks associated with debt and equity financings and mergers and acquisitions.
Trading Assistant
Scotiabank, Toronto, ON
Assist with the pricing and modelling of equity-based products.
Sales Analyst
Smucker Foods, Markham, ON
Perform retail pricing audits, analyze distribution and competition, coordinate customer trade shows and participate in forecasting.
Digital Content Specialist (Ecommerce)
Staples Canada, Richmond Hill, ON
Support the preparation and implementation of a new content management system and edit content on the live site.
Retirement Actuarial Analyst
Towers Watson, Toronto, ON
Provide actuarial support and analysis on an array of health and group benefits and retirement programs.
Financial Analyst
Toyota Canada, Toronto, ON
Develop annual budgets and interim forecasts and prepare accruals.