What can a co-op or internship student do?

MSVU co-op and internship students bring a diverse skill set to a workplace.

Sample duties for Bachelor of Public Relations students may include:

  • Developing and implementing strategic communication plans
  • Researching and writing (e.g. news releases, editorials, speeches and newsletters)
  • Completing media monitoring and preparing media analysis reports
  • Creating effective communication tools using a variety of multi-media techniques
  • Planning and coordinating special events, conferences and meetings
  • Creating content and managing social media platforms

Sample duties for Bachelor of Business Administration students may include:

  • Planning and coordinating special events
  • Preparing tax returns
  • Completing administrative duties
  • Assisting with recruitment of employees and payroll processes
  • Preparing marketing plans and assisting with social media
  • Promoting products and building relationships with clients

 Sample duties for Bachelor of Tourism & Hospitality management students may include:

  • Answering guest inquiries regarding hotel services and tourist attractions
  • Establishing a personal rapport with guests in order to learn about and anticipate their needs
  • Completing food and beverage services
  • Assisting with itinerary development (e.g. writing itineraries, booking properties, scheduling attractions and arranging car rentals)
  • Booking appointments, answering telephones and responding to email requests
  • Arranging and conducting tours

Sample duties for Master of Public Relations students may include:

  • Creating targeted content strategies, and overseeing the management and optimization of social media
    platforms to enhance brand visibility and engagement
  • Performing comprehensive media monitoring and compiling findings into actionable analysis reports
  • Conducting detailed research and producing high-impact written materials, including media releases, opinion editorials, executive speeches, and stakeholder newsletters
  • Developing and delivering compelling communication assets using multiple platforms

Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science internship students come from a wide variety of majors. These students are seeking professional work experiences aimed at helping them build transferable skills and expand their professional network.

Do I have to pay a co-op or internship student?

Yes. All co-op and internship work terms are paid, full-time employment with a minimum of 35 hours per week. Visit the co-op salary guidelines to learn about average salaries.

How long are work terms?

Co-op and internship terms must be at least 13 consecutive weeks. The average length for a work term is 14-16 weeks. Tourism co-ops can range from 13-24 weeks, depending on organizational needs.

How many years / terms would a student have completed?

Bachelor of Public Relations and Business Administration co-op students complete at least two years of their degree before completing their first co-op work term. Tourism students complete one year of their degree before their first co-op work term.

Bachelor of Arts and Science internship students typically complete three years of their degree before completing an internship.

Master of Public Relations students complete a bachelor degree prior to beginning the Masters program. They also complete a minimum of four graduate level courses before completing the internship.

Are students available year-round?

Bachelor of Public Relations and Business Administration students have cohorts completing work terms from January – April, May – August, and September – December every year. Tourism students only complete work terms during the summer term (May – August or May – Mid-October) given the seasonal nature of the industry. Arts and science and Master of Public Relations interns complete work terms during the summer term (May – August).

Does the MSVU Co-op & WIL Centre pre-screen applicants or call references?

No. To maintain fairness and equity, the Co-op & WIL Centre does not screen resumes, make selection recommendations, or call references for employers.

If I post a job do I have to hire?

An employer is never asked to hire a student they consider to be unacceptable for the position. As a result, some students may not secure jobs and some employers may not obtain students.

What is the process of hiring a co-op or internship student?

Employers use an online job posting portal called Career Connects to post positions for students. Career Connects allows you to submit job postings, review applications, arrange interviews and submit rankings following interviews. You can view the Career Connects Employer User Guide in Employer Resources.

Is there any contact with the university after the student is hired?

We encourage employers to contact the Co-op & WIL Centre at any time if there is a need or an issue involving the student. More formalized contact with employers by email and in-person take place throughout the work term, which includes a confirmation of the hire, a start of term message, a work site visit with a university representative, and an end-of-term evaluation of the student.

Does the student pass or fail based on my evaluation?

Your evaluation is a part of a student’s final grade. In addition to your evaluation, a student’s grade consists of the work site visit, the student’s successful completion of an in-depth work term project, the completion of learning objectives, and a debriefing and reflection with a faculty advisor.

What funding options are available to my organization to hire a student?

Funding is available for Nova Scotia employers through Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration’s Co-operative Education Incentive (CEI) program. This funding program is available for all three co-op work terms (fall, winter and summer). Visit the CEI funding program website, www.novascotia.ca/programs/co-op-education-incentive, for more information. This funding opportunity is only open to employers hiring a co-operative education student. Employers who hire an internship student should seek alternate funding options listed below.

The Nova Scotia government’s Student Summer Skills Incentive (SKILL) funding program is available in the summer term only. The program provides not-for-profit organizations registered as a charity or active society with Registry of Joint Stock Companies a wage subsidy. Visit the SKILL website, novascotia.ca/programs/student-summer-skills-incentive/ for more information. Employers who receive this funding may hire a co-op or internship student.

The Government of Canada’s Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) gives post-secondary students paid work experience related to their field of study. A list of SWPP partners are posted on the CEWIL Canada website, www.cewilcanada.ca (refer to “Resources” and then “Employers & Community Partners”). A wage subsidy is available to eligible employers.

Visit the “Hire a Student” section of the MSVU employer recruitment website for additional links to funding opportunities: www.msvu.ca/ academics/co-operative-education-at-the-mount/hire-a-mount-co-op-student.

How can I nominate my student for MSVU Co-op Student of the Year?

The MSVU Co-op Student of the Year Award was instituted in 1999 to recognize the 20th anniversary of co-operative education at Mount Saint Vincent University. These awards may be granted on a yearly basis to co-op students in each of the following academic disciplines: Business Administration, Public Relations, and Tourism & Hospitality Management.

To learn more about how to nominate a student click here.

(Currently only co-op students are eligible for these awards.)