Waterloo Warriors: Where Do They Work?

where do university of waterloo students work

The University of Waterloo offers its students a wide range of opportunities to gain work experience during their studies. The university has the largest co-op program at a research-intensive university globally, allowing students to gain up to two years of relevant work experience as part of their degree. The co-op program covers various industries and job titles, and students can search for opportunities by faculty, program, and work term level. The university also has a strong record of graduate employment, ranking #1 in Canada in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022.

Characteristics Values
Number of employers in the network 8,000+
Ranking in QS World University Rankings 2023 175
Ranking in QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022 1 in Canada
Number of co-op terms 4-6
Number of start-up companies 1,000+
Number of work programs Not specified
Location of architecture studio Trastevere, Rome, Italy
Location of Waterloo Research and Tech Park Waterloo
Number of students in the School of Pharmacy Not specified
Number of medical students from McMaster University admitted to the Health Science and Pharmacy campus in 2012 56
Average salary of mathematics undergraduates on their sixth work term in 2018 US$28,600 (C$38,000) per four-month work term

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Co-operative education and internships

The University of Waterloo offers its students a wide range of co-operative education and internship opportunities. With the largest co-op (paid internship) program at a research-intensive university worldwide, Waterloo students can gain up to two years of relevant work experience as part of their degrees. The university has a network of 8,000+ employers, including many leading global companies.

Waterloo's co-op students have worked in various industries and held diverse job titles. The university provides a "where co-op students work" dashboard that utilises WaterlooWorks employment data to illustrate these industries and job titles. Students can filter this data by faculty, program, and work term level to explore potential career paths. The dashboard also includes industry sectors based on the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), which assigns a four-digit code to each industry sector.

The university's co-op program is highly successful, with some of the highest graduation and degree completion rates in Ontario. In 2018, mathematics undergraduates (including computer science and computing and financial management) on their sixth work term in the United States earned an average of US$28,600 (C$38,000) per four-month work term. Additionally, 98% of graduates from programs like Accounting and Financial Management, Math/CPA, and Biotech/CPA found employment within six months of graduating.

Waterloo also offers international opportunities for its co-op students. The School of Architecture, for instance, operates an architecture studio in Rome, Italy, where fourth-year architecture students can work. The university has also partnered with institutions in Dubai and managed four undergraduate programs there from 2009 to 2012.

Overall, the University of Waterloo is dedicated to providing its students with extensive co-operative education and internship experiences, preparing them for successful careers and helping them build valuable connections.

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Employment metrics and data

The University of Waterloo has a strong focus on providing its students with work experience and career development opportunities. The university's co-operative education program, WaterlooWorks, offers students the chance to gain up to two years of relevant work experience through paid internships, giving them a competitive edge when starting their careers.

WaterlooWorks provides a "where co-op students work" dashboard, which utilizes employment data to showcase the industries and job titles that co-op students have undertaken in the past. Students can filter this data by faculty, program, and work term level to gain insights into hiring trends and potential career paths. The data covers various industry sectors, based on the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), and includes job titles where at least three students were hired to protect anonymity.

The University of Waterloo is ranked among the top 175 universities globally in the QS World University Rankings 2023 and was ranked #1 in Canada for graduate employment rate in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022. This ranking reflects the success of its students in finding employment. For example, in 2018, mathematics undergraduates (including computer science and financial management) on their sixth work term in the United States earned an average of US$28,600 (C$38,000) per four-month work term. Additionally, graduates from programs such as Accounting and Financial Management, Math/CPA, and Biotech/CPA reported high levels of employment, with 98% finding jobs within six months of graduating.

The University of Waterloo also fosters entrepreneurship among its students. With over 1,000 start-up companies, the university actively supports student entrepreneurs in turning their ideas into viable businesses. Furthermore, the university's location in the Waterloo Research and Tech Park, established to provide businesses with access to the university's faculty, students, and resources, offers additional opportunities for students to engage with industry.

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High-tech industries

The University of Waterloo has a strong focus on providing its students with opportunities to gain work experience and build their careers. The university has the largest co-op (paid internship) program at a research-intensive university globally, allowing students to gain up to two years of relevant work experience as part of their degrees. With over 8,000 employers in its network, including many leading global companies, Waterloo students have access to a wide range of potential work opportunities.

The university's location in a tech hub also provides students with access to high-tech industries. The Waterloo Research and Tech Park, now known as the David Johnston Research and Technology Park, was established to house high-tech businesses, providing them with access to the university's faculty, cooperative education students, alumni, infrastructure, and resources. This park is supported by the university, the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, provincial and federal governments, and Canada's Technology Triangle.

Waterloo students have had success in finding employment in high-tech industries. In 2018, mathematics undergraduates (including computer science and computing and financial management) were the highest-earning co-op students, with an average of US$28,600 (C$38,000) per four-month work term. Additionally, graduates from programs such as Accounting and Financial Management, Math/CPA, and Biotech/CPA have reported high levels of employment within six months of graduating.

The university provides resources to support students in their job searches, such as resume critiques, mock interviews, and networking advice through the Centre for Career Action office. The WaterlooWorks platform also assists students in exploring potential career paths and hiring trends by providing data on industries and job titles that co-op students have held in the past. Students can filter this data by faculty, program, and work term level to find relevant information for their specific interests.

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Graduate employment rates

The University of Waterloo has the highest graduate employment rate in Canada, according to the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022. The university's co-operative education program, which allows students to gain up to two years of relevant work experience as part of their degree, is a significant factor in its high graduate employment rate.

Waterloo's co-op program is the largest at a research-intensive university globally, with a network of 8,000+ employers, including many leading companies. The program offers four to six work terms, enabling students to graduate with valuable work experience and a head start in their careers. The university also has over 1,000 start-up companies, fostering student entrepreneurship and providing additional opportunities for graduates.

Graduates of the University of Waterloo's Accounting and Financial Management, Math/CPA, Biotech/CPA, and Master of Accounting programs reported high levels of employment, with 98% finding jobs within six months of graduation. Notably, 100% of the Master of Taxation co-op program's graduates secured full-time employment before graduating.

The university's highest-earning undergraduate co-op students in 2018 were mathematics undergraduates (including computer science and computing and financial management) on their sixth work term, earning an average of US$28,600 (C$38,000) per four-month work term in the United States.

The University of Waterloo's career services, such as the Centre for Career Action, also contribute to its high graduate employment rate. The centre offers resources like resume critiques, mock interviews, and networking advice to prepare students for their job search.

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Student entrepreneurship

The University of Waterloo is a hub for student entrepreneurs, with over 1,000 start-up companies launched from the institution. The university is a leader in fostering student innovation and providing the resources necessary to turn creative ideas into successful businesses.

Waterloo offers a robust cooperative education program, allowing students to gain valuable work experience while completing their degrees. With 4 to 6 co-op terms, students can graduate with up to 2 years of work experience, giving them a competitive edge in the job market and as entrepreneurs. The program includes more than 8,000 employers from leading companies worldwide, providing students with diverse opportunities to build their professional networks and gain real-world skills.

The university's Centre for Career Action is a valuable resource for aspiring entrepreneurs. It offers a range of services, including resume critiques, mock interviews, and networking advice, empowering students to effectively showcase their skills and connect with potential mentors or partners.

Waterloo's location in a thriving tech hub also benefits student entrepreneurs. The Waterloo Research and Technology Park, supported by the university and various government entities, provides businesses with access to the university's faculty, students, infrastructure, and resources. This proximity to high-tech industries creates numerous opportunities for collaboration and innovation, fostering an environment conducive to student entrepreneurship.

Additionally, Waterloo's School of Architecture operates a studio in Rome, Italy, offering fourth-year architecture students a unique opportunity to work in a global setting. This international presence further enhances the university's commitment to providing diverse experiences and exposing students to a range of cultural and professional environments, which can be invaluable for aspiring entrepreneurs.

The University of Waterloo is committed to supporting student entrepreneurs and fostering a culture of innovation. With its cooperative education program, extensive resources, and strategic partnerships, Waterloo empowers students to turn their business ideas into reality and make a successful impact in their chosen fields.

Frequently asked questions

University of Waterloo students can work across various industries and job titles, which can be viewed on the "Where Students Work" dashboard. The dashboard uses WaterlooWorks employment data to show the different industries and job titles that co-op students have worked in the past.

WaterlooWorks is a platform that allows students to search for jobs by keyword, industry, faculty, program, and work term level.

The University of Waterloo has the largest co-op (paid internship) program at a research-intensive university in the world, with 4 to 6 co-op terms. Students can gain up to two years of relevant work experience as part of their degree, which can help them launch their careers.

The University has a network of 8,000+ employers, including many leading global companies. The University also has over 1,000 startup companies, supporting student entrepreneurs in turning their ideas into businesses.

The University of Waterloo has a strong relationship with the surrounding community and governments. The Waterloo Research and Tech Park, now known as the David Johnston Research and Technology Park, was established to provide businesses with access to the university's faculty, students, infrastructure, and resources. The University has also partnered with the Higher Colleges of Technology in the United Arab Emirates to manage undergraduate programs in Dubai.

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