Graduate Co-op Programs in the Faculty of Arts

In 1999, the Faculty of Arts began a co-operative education program for undergraduate students in the B.A., B.F.A., and B.Mus programs. The Program has grown to meet student and employer demand. With its growth have come demands from graduate students in Arts for similar co-op opportunities. We are asking the TLEF for funding to hire a staff person to start graduate co-op programs for three specific Masters programs: the Master of Arts (Asia Pacific Policy Studies), Master of Arts (European Studies), and the Masters in Library, Archival, and Information Studies.

The coordinator would also assess the interests of line departments within the Faculty and make recommendations for the implementation of graduate co-op programs in them. This request is in keeping with Trek 2000’s goal of offering co-op and/or internship opportunities in all Faculties at UBC, and to offering interactive learning opportunities to all UBC students. We also expect co-op opportunities to enhance the international experience of the students in the European Studies and Asia Pacific Policy Studies programs.
The coordinator will work under the direction of the Director of the Arts Co-op Program, and will be integrated into the existing Arts Co-op Program, including receiving office space and equipment, and the administrative support of the Arts Co-op Program. Linking these graduate co-op programs with the existing Arts Co-op Program will ensure cost-effectiveness and allow the graduate student access to the expertise and infrastructure of the Arts Co-op Program. The coordinator's responsibilities will be to:

• Develop and implement a student recruitment plan and evaluation criteria for admission into the graduate co-op program.
• Adapt current pre-employment curriculum from the Arts Co-op Program for the needs of graduate students and lead this training with other members of the Arts co-op team.
• Liaise with faculty members in the three graduate programs to develop job opportunities for their students, including designing a supplement to the current Arts Co-op marketing materials with details about the graduate co-op students’ skills and knowledge sets.
• Investigate a range of international opportunities in line with the graduate students’ course work.
• Assist graduate co-op students with securing work visas and other documentation for international co-op terms.

Julie Walchli, Director, Co-operative Education Program, Faculty of Arts
Sima Godfrey, Director, European Studies, Faculty of Arts
Pitman Potter, Director, Asian Studies, Faculty of Arts
Ken Haycock, Director, Library, Archival, and Information Studies, Faculty of Arts