Published on Jun 2026
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Simon Fraser University’s (SFU) Co-operative Education programs have supported more than 19,000 paid work experiences since 2020, generating over CAD$280 million in student earnings. While most placements are in Metro Vancouver, opportunities increasingly span Canada and more than 20 other countries, including China, the United States, Vietnam and India. In the 2024–2025 academic year alone, over 9,100 students participated in Co-op, with more than 2,200 combining academic study with paid work terms—earning approximately CAD$50 million. Most placements were in private industry (66%), alongside roles in government, non-profits and other sectors. These experiences equip students to navigate uncertainty, collaborate effectively and contribute with professionalism and sound judgment.
A major milestone came last year when Co-operative Education was integrated into SFU's Academic Plan within the Vice-President Academic Teaching and Learning portfolio. Led by Dr. Paul Kingsbury and shaped by the leadership of Dr. Tanya Behrisch, this shift underscores a renewed institutional commitment to experiential learning. The unit's return to its original name-Co-operative Education-signals both continuity and evolution.
Across faculties, teams have adapted programming to meet changing global and economic conditions, with a focus on inclusive access, reflective learning and the ethical use of emerging technologies.
In the 2024-2025 academic year, 1,653 students were registered in the Science, Environment and Health Sciences Co-op programs that I lead. Of these, 429 students secured work experiences, completing a total of 629 four-month work terms. In my view, the most meaningful measure of the programs' impact is reflected in student success. This work is supported by a dedicated team of five coordinators-Natalie Erickson, Susan Wiggins, and Darelle Odo (Science Co-op), Hadar Hamid (Environment Co-op), and Isabella Silvestre (Health Sciences Co-op)-alongside career advisor Jessica Varon and program assistant Michael Urban.
In the Summer 2025 term, Data Science student Rajandeep Kaur took on the role of Junior Data Scientist with the Royal Canadian Mountain Police (RCMP), where she experienced firsthand how data informs real-world decision-making. Working with operational teams, including detachment commanders, she turned raw data into organized datasets and helped build tools that police could use in their day to day work. Her most impactful project used historical data to identify crime hotspots and patterns, helping officers focus on preventing crime before it happens. As Rajandeep says: "I was very excited because I got to learn so many things-business context, how policing works and the end-to-end data flow. Moreover, it didn't feel like co-op. It felt like actual employment at the time."
Rajandeep reflects that her co-op experience pushed her beyond a previously confined way of thinking, helping her develop new problem-solving approaches while expanding both her skills and confidence. She credits SFU's strong co-op network for providing these opportunities and now feels equipped to take on any role and succeed. Similarly, Biology student Emily Lucas completed a co-op work term with the RCMP, supporting hands on investigative work with RCMP Forensic Identification Services, as shown here in an image of her placing evidence markers and examining a vehicle.
Alen Mehmedbegovic, a Mathematics and Computing student, completed two co-op work terms in Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 as a Development Operations Engineering Intern at MDA Space (MacDonald, Dettwiler & Associates). During his placements, he contributed to satellite testing alongside a development team and supported product development initiatives. He shared that these experiences significantly deepened his knowledge about how large corporations operate, while strengthening both his written communication through professional correspondence and his verbal communication in meetings. Reflecting on his experience, Alen offers this advice to students seeking co-op opportunities: "If you want to stand out, talk about your personal projects, start-ups and anything unique you've built. It takes real effort, but that extra work is what makes you exceptional."
Carmen Sagarbarria, a Molecular Biology and Biochemistry student, completed four co-op work terms, beginning as a Scientific Support Co-op Student at STEMCELL Technologies in Spring and Summer 2024 and later working as a Co-op Laboratory Assistant at ALS Global in Summer and Fall 2025. In her first role, she developed training materials for new staff onboarding that were adopted company-wide, gaining valuable experience in organizational and HR-related practices. In her subsequent role, she strengthened her hands-on laboratory skills by analyzing soil and water samples. Carmen emphasized that her co-op experiences helped inform her course selection in later studies. She also advises future co-op students not to hesitate to ask questions, emphasizing that learning from others can accelerate development and make the experience more effective.
In an increasingly unpredictable labor market, I believe Co-operative Education plays a vital role in helping students adapt, recalibrate and learn through change, equipping them to navigate complexity with confidence. Within SFU's Science, Environment, and Health Sciences Co-op programs, there is a strong focus on the human side of work. As artificial intelligence reshapes professional roles, qualities such as empathy, communication and relationship-building remain essential. Looking ahead, these programs support students in a competitive employment landscape by strengthening these human capabilities while providing the guidance and experience needed to pursue complex career paths with confidence and integrity.