Future students

As an international student, co-op was my primary way to get hands-on experience with real computer systems while expanding my professional network.

Co-op allows you to explore options before committing. After exploring various industries, you not only understand the type of job you want but also the industry that you want to work in.

The variety of experiences helped develop my wet-lab techniques and critical analytical skills. Co-op is also a great time to explore different career paths.

One of the most translatable soft skills scientists can have is taking a complex topic and explaining to someone why they should care. That's 95 per cent of my job. How do we take four different types of chemistry and explain it to someone who spent the last 20 years developing brand campaigns for pants?

Co-op propelled my career forward by offering invaluable hands-on experience and exposure to real-world scenarios. It allowed me to apply classroom knowledge to practical settings by bridging the gap between theory and practice.

UBC Science Co-op gave us such an advantage over graduates who didn't do co-op—we already had the network and connections to get started.