Prior Work Experience Challenge

Challenging a Prior Work Experience as a Co-op Work Term: New Undergraduate Co-op Students

NOTE: At the time of application to the Co-op Program, undergraduate students must indicate if they will be challenging prior work experience as a Co-op work term. PLAR documentation is due by September 15. Challenging a Prior Work Experience is only available to new co-op applications. Current students enrolled in the Co-op program are not eligible to challenge a prior work experience as a co-op work term.  Masters of Applied Computer Science and Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Enterprise IT Management cannot challenge a prior work experience as a co-op work term. 

The StFX Co-operative Education program provides undergraduate students the opportunity to challenge prior work experience as part of their Co-operative education experience. The following information is intended to explain how to receive credit for work experience completed prior to entering your StFX Co-op program.  

Work Experience Requirements

When considering whether or not to challenge prior work experience as a co-op work term, consider if your prior work experience meets the following requirements.

  • The work paid a minimum wage or higher
  • The work was supervised
  • The work helped you establish and achieve your career goals
  • The work lasted for a minimum of 13 consecutive weeks (full-time employment, minimum 35 hrs/wk)
  • The work was relevant to your academic program
  • The work experience must have occurred within the last two years and before the date, the student was accepted into the Co-op Program.

Documentation

New Co-op Students (May 2021 intake) interested in challenging their summer 2021 work experience as co-op must submit the documentation to the Co-op office by September 15.  The Co-op office will review this documentation in September after the deadline.  

  1. Evidence employment. Include a signed letter from the employer indicating the start/end date, hours per week, salary, and job title. 
  2. A detailed job description that outlines the duties of the position.
  3. Supervisor contact information. A co-op staff member will contact your supervisor to solicit feedback on your performance during your work period of employment
  4. Five Learning Objectives
  5. Reflective Essay
  6. Student Performance Evaluation (End of Work) 
  7. E-Portfolio  Assignment (asked the Co-op Office for the document)