Minutes from January 11, 2008 - Engineering Co-op Office

UBC Okanagan Engineering Co-op Student Advisory Council
(UBCO ECSAC)
Meeting Minutes January 11 th , 2008 at 7:30-8:30am
SSC115 – Okanagan Room
Attendees:
Haisam Abdelmoniem – CIVL
Jennifer Anderson – CIVL
Andrew Benty – MECH
Eric (Bryce) Granger – MECH
Erin Johnston – ELEC
Dylan Schuetze – Undeclared MECH
Jeff van den Eerenbeemt – Undeclared
Regrets:
Daniel Grant – Undeclared CIVL
Karan Jagjitkumar – Undeclared ELEC
Connor Wilson - CIVL
1. Jenny Kagetsu – Director
• Welcome and member introductions
• Definition & Objective of ECSAC
− ECSAC was created approximately five years ago and is a partnership
between the Director and UBC Engineering Co-op students. ECSAC provides
a direct line of communication with the Program Director for UBC Engineering
Co-op students. At ECSAC meetings Program updates are disseminated,
feedback is provided on suggested improvements or concerns in regard to the
program and discussion around program strategic objectives, communication
strategies and events takes place.
• Discussion on member participation
− ECSAC meets at least once per term and if possible, twice per term.
− ECSAC involvement includes attending and speaking at events and
workshops. Annual UBC Okanagan events include the Junior Reception and
in future years upon the first graduating group of students from the program in
2010, a Graduate Student Reception.
• Academic Review 2007 & Follow up Projects 2008
− In September 2007, Rob Hall, new Associate Dean and Jenny Kagetsu,
Director came to UBC Okanagan to update all students on the Academic
Review. As a result of the findings from the academic review, the Co-op
Program is looking towards modifying and improving processes. The Co-op
Program is currently looking at the timeliness of report marking and
establishing a Department Liaison in each Department.

− Jenny referenced the handout of review changes to occur this year; no
questions were received after the handout was distributed.
• Terms and Conditions amendments were discussed
− The complete Terms and Conditions of program participation for students can
be found on our website and comes up at the beginning of each term when
you log into ECO.
− There have been two major changes to the Terms & Conditions.
1. Job Search Process – the 2 nd point now reads “I understand I am
expected to apply for a minimum of 15 positions or 20% of posted
positions, whichever is greater, using Engineering Co-op Online (ECO);
and in addition, I understand that I am expected to simultaneously conduct
my own job search.”
2. Completion of Co-op Program – the 1 st point now reads “I agree to
complete five (5) scheduled work terms in the Co-op Program, one in
each of the seasons (winter, summer, and fall) to meet Co-op Standing
requirements.”
• ECSAC Vancouver Overview and Meetings 2007
− Jenny presented an update and referenced handouts of UBC Vancouver
ECSAC minutes from last year.
− No discussion or questions were received from the group.
• Statistical Update
− Jenny presented UBCO statistics and an overall UBCO program update and
referenced handouts of Fall 2007 placement period and intake numbers for
2007.
2. Student Feedback/Questions
• Erin advised that she thought it was a good idea to apply for all jobs although it was
frustrating as last tem the jobs she wanted did not interview until Round 2. She
questioned why all employers who posted did not interview in Round 1 and asked
about the process to ensure employers would interview in Round 1. Jenny advised
that the Co-op office strongly encourages all employers to interview in Round 1.
After applications are sent out to employers they receive a call from the office three
days to follow up and encourage interviewing however co-op staff do not have
control over employers schedules. Jenny acknowledged the students frustration
and advised the co-op staff were diligently trying to encourage more interviews in
Round 1 however noted that is was important to understand that employers cannot
be forced to interview in a selected time frame and due to their work priorities and
busy schedules may not be able to interview during Round 1.
• Andrew advised that he felt the UBC Engineering Co-op Program is more involved
than other universities.
• Erin made mention of Erika Annala’s absence last year during the interview period
and advised it was very difficult without her presence on campus. Jenny explained
the staff turn over that occurred in the program in 2007 and that the UBC
Vancouver office needed her assistance for various periods during the year
however even when she was off campus her priority and focus was always to
service the UBCO students, faculty and industry representatives.

• Jenny requested feedback from the group on Erika’s role at UBCO and the
feedback was positive with students commenting on her good response time to
requests.
• Haisam commented on the delay of employer response time for interviews and also
wanted to know about international opportunities. Jenny reiterated the process that
the administrative staff of the program takes from the time a position is received to
rankings. Jenny advised that UBC Engineering Co-op Program international
placements were the second largest in Canada next to the University of Waterloo
the largest Co-op Program in North America. A survey was conducted last year of
UBCO students whereby they were questioned about their desire for an
international placement.
• Jenny advised that there were more international postings received last year and
numerous jobs opportunities (i.e. Australia, Singapore) were made available to
students however the application level was very low.
• Jenny advised that for students interested in international opportunities it is
important to note that for the majority of countries from whereby we receive
postings the salary is usually significantly lower than what a student can make in
Canada. For example in Singapore, France and Germany monthly salaries often
average around $800 per month. Co-op/Internships are a mandatory component in
many European universities (such as France and Germany) and in these countries
it is very difficult to obtain a co-op placement which is paid as European interns
work for free.
• Jeff wanted to know if there were Mechanical opportunities in Australia. Jenny said
currently there were more Mining, Materials, Geological and Civil opportunities.
• Erin asked if we show employers salary statistics. Jenny advised the salary
statistics are available on our website and in our brochure.
• Andrew advised he is a mechanical student and is interested in applying to mining
jobs. Jenny asked Andrew to advise Erika of his desire to work in the mining
industry so she could advise him of appropriate jobs to apply to.
• Jennifer added to Erin’s earlier feedback that Round 1 doesn’t seem that effective if
employers did not interview in Round 1. Jenny advised of the Co-op philosophy
behind Round 1 and Round 2 and the advantages that the round system presented
to students. Jenny advised that Round 1 permitted students to apply to multiple
jobs of which hopefully they would receive many interviews and have the ability to
meet and network with representatives from various types of industry. The
connections would hopefully assist a student in determining what type of work
environment they would like to work in and at the same time have the opportunity
to rank accordingly whereas Round 2 is on a first come first served basis. Jenny
encouraged students to meet with Erika individually to work on their co-op career
plan; if students did in fact have a dream job in engineering that they were aiming
towards, to work with Erika to develop a strategy to gain the required skills through
co-op to make that dream a reality in the future.
• Jennifer’s last employer complained about the information and questions that were
asked on the employer evaluation and advised that some of the information was
not relevant. Jenny advised that a complete overhaul of the employer evaluation

was being looked at in 2008 and agreed with the feedback received from the
employer.
• Jeff wanted to know if an employer offers an extension after the initial work term is
complete, does he have to accept the extension. He advised that a student may
want to try something different and not stay on with the same employer. Jenny
advised that he should talk to the employer and Erika if he did not want to stay on
after his initial contract period was completed and honestly let the employer know
his reasons and rational and that they would more than likely completely
understand.
• Jeff thought it would be great idea if 3 rd year students would speak to 2 nd years on
their experiences in co-op terms. He advised he thought it could help them decide
on what they wanted to do. Jenny suggested a student forum and advised she
would look into organizing something in the near future.
• Dylan requested an explanation of Round 1. Jenny advised that she would ask
Erika to send out a detailed explanation of Round 1 and Round 2 as it appeared
from comments during the ECSAC meeting that there was some confusion of the
process although it was explained in the workshops and outlined in the student
handbook.
• Next meeting will be set up after exams.
Meeting adjourned at 8:25 AM