Taking some time to evaluate and reflect on your experiences while on your first co-op work term is very important to do. It helps you evaluate the skills you are developing, understand your strengths and weaknesses, and can better define your career interests. Understandably, some students may not take the time to properly reflect during the first portion of their first work term and are more focused on performing their best at work or making the best impression they can at their new workplace. Thankfully, your co-op work term includes a mandatory mid-term review session with your Management Career Services Career and Recruitment Specialist. This represents an opportunity to take a step back from your co-op job and really think about how your first work term is helping your career development.

The mid-term review occurs half-way through your first work term and consists of you and a Career and Recruitment Specialist from Management Career Services meeting either in person or on the phone to discuss the following areas of your work experience:

• Job expectation versus reality (it terms of job descriptions and tasks/projects)
• Favourite and most challenging aspects of your position
• Areas of strength and improvement
• Discuss new skills and knowledge you’ve obtained
• Goals for the remainder of your work term

The mid-term review is an honest and confidential experience that should help you realize your strengths, discuss areas of improvement, and truly evaluate how your first work term experience will help you define your career interests.

In addition to meeting with you, your Career and Recruitment Specialist will also be conducting mid-term review with your employer whose feedback can go a very long way in helping you understand who you are as an employee and a professional in the workplace. Ultimately, the mid-term review is a critical part of any co-op and your career development.

During your mid-term review you will also have the opportunity to show how much you’re enjoying your first co-op by participating in the work term pride campaign that will showcase you as a successful and proud student!

For more information on the mid-term review process and other approaching check points in the Commerce Co-op program, visit the Commerce Orientation Workbook under the Resources section of myCareer.