Co-Op Briefing (Sept & Nov08, Jan & May09 Work Term) Date: 23 May 2008 Time: 3pm Venue: Multi purpose Hall By: Co-Operative Education & Career Services (CECS), UCSI Career Services (CECS), UCSI For the Faculty of Management & Information Technology.

Outline Part 1: Obtaining Your Co-Op Job Part 1: Obtaining Your Co-Op Job Part 2: While at Your Co-Op Job Part 2: While at Your Co-Op Job Part 3: Co-Op Student Planner Part 3: Co-Op Student Planner

Part 1: Obtaining Your Co-Op Job

What is Co-Op? Co-Operative Education functions to formally integrate classroom learning with workplace training. Co-Operative Education functions to formally integrate classroom learning with workplace training. Each Co-Op consists of 3 credit and students received grade based on written assignment and employers’ evaluation upon completion of each Co-Op module. Each Co-Op consists of 3 credit and students received grade based on written assignment and employers’ evaluation upon completion of each Co-Op module.

Pre-requisites for Co-Op Academic Pre-requisites i) Three year degree programmes Co-Op LevelPre-requisite Level 1Successfully completed all coursework in Year 1 & completing Year 2 Level 2 & 3Successfully completed all coursework in Year 2 & 3 ii) Four year degree programmes Co-Op LevelPre-requisite Level 1 & 2Successfully completed all coursework in Year 1 & completing Year 2 Level 3 & 4Successfully completed all coursework in Year 3 & 4

Pre-requisites for Co-Op Academic Pre-requisites A minimum cumulative overall average (CGPA) of 2.0 (ie %) at the end each academic session. [NB: Most employers require a minimum CGPA of 2.5 (65%) or more] A minimum cumulative overall average (CGPA) of 2.0 (ie %) at the end each academic session. [NB: Most employers require a minimum CGPA of 2.5 (65%) or more] A student who has not met the academic pre- requisites is not eligible for the Co-Op of that session and has to defer a particular Co-Op term to the following year/when academic pre-requisites are met. A student who has not met the academic pre- requisites is not eligible for the Co-Op of that session and has to defer a particular Co-Op term to the following year/when academic pre-requisites are met.

Non-academic Pre-requisites Course selection for Co-Op, approved by the Co-Op Supervisor and payment of necessary fee(s). Course selection for Co-Op, approved by the Co-Op Supervisor and payment of necessary fee(s). Register in myCo-Op by completing and submitting the online Curriculum Vitae (CV). Register in myCo-Op by completing and submitting the online Curriculum Vitae (CV). Attend the CV Verification Exercise: presented supporting documents (e.g. academic certificates, extracurricular activities, letters of reference, etc). Attend the CV Verification Exercise: presented supporting documents (e.g. academic certificates, extracurricular activities, letters of reference, etc). Attend all compulsory Co-Op Workshops organized by CECS/UCSI. Attend all compulsory Co-Op Workshops organized by CECS/UCSI.

Placement Process

What else do I need to know? 1. Students may obtain a Co-Op Job overseas but… If the Co-Op Employer is not bona fide and/or the students are found not undergoing Co-Op or the Co-Op job is fake/non-existent, students will immediately be given a FAIL grade for their Co-Op module. If the Co-Op Employer is not bona fide and/or the students are found not undergoing Co-Op or the Co-Op job is fake/non-existent, students will immediately be given a FAIL grade for their Co-Op module.

2. If students reject the interview with reasons deemed unacceptable*, these student must then find their own Co-Op job. Ultimately, if they are unable to find a Co-Op Supervisor approved job, they may be awarded a Fail grade for the Co-Op module. 3.A student who has not actively looked for his/her own job and receives a Co-Op job placement from CECS but rejects the offer must give his/her reasons in writing for doing so to CECS within three days of receiving the job placement/offer. If a student’s given reasons are deemed unacceptable* then, he/she must accept the CECS given job placement or face the possibility of failure for that Co-Op module. *Unacceptable reasons: Distance of workplace, amount or lack of salary, parents’ preference, personal preference etc.

4.Students are responsible to log in to myCo- Op and check their UCSI Student to check the outcome of their interviews. 5.It is the student’s responsibility to respond to an employer’s Co-Op job offer, in writing via and myCo-Op to CECS within the stipulated time frame. Failure to do so could result in a student losing the job and hence failing the Co-Op module for that term.

myCo-Op Portal What is the myCo-Op portal? –myCo-Op is UCSI’s web portal for Co- Op students to post their CV online –Co-Op employers can view the CVs and select the students for Co-Op

Function: Main Page Website: To Log In: Use your E-Advantage User ID & password.

Function: Home Page Click here to fill in your CV. Click here if you want to obtain your own job. Fill up your Job Evaluation here.

Function: Online CV myCo-Op CV required section: Personal particulars Personal particulars Education Education Other qualifications Other qualifications Language proficiency Language proficiency Computer skills Computer skills Achievements Achievements Extra-curricular Extra-curricular Hobbies/Interests Hobbies/Interests Work Experience Work Experience Referees Referees Preferred Interview Time Preferred Interview Time Work Location Preference Work Location Preference Student Policy [IMPORTANT: Click ‘Acceptance’] Student Policy [IMPORTANT: Click ‘Acceptance’] Confirmation of Submission [Your CV has not been submitted UNTIL you click ‘Submit’]

Function : History

Function : Support Use the training material to help you with myCo-Op.

Function : Downloadable Form Fill this form if you obtain your own job. No longer applicable, please fill it ONLINE.

Other function Check out the latest events & news here!

Other function (cont.) Click here for internship opportunities and job opportunities for fresh grad.

Scroll down for Internship Listings. Be initiative to look for your own job for the benefit of your future.

Part 2: While at Your Co-Op Job

What if I have problem with my current company? Handling workplace issues Handling workplace issues –Address issues as they arise –Speak directly (NOT via family/friends) with immediate Work Supervisor, Co-op Supervisor and CECS staff

Can I take leave? Resigning or Taking Leave Resigning or Taking Leave –Resigning or taking leave/time off is STRICTLY PROHIBITED Terms of Employment, Confidentiality Terms of Employment, Confidentiality –Terms of employment and confidentiality of employer’s information must be STRICTLY MAINTAINED

What if I fall sick? Medical Leave Medical Leave –All medical leave must be substantiated with a legitimate doctor’s medical certificate. –Students must contact their employer immediately if they must be absent because of illness or an emergency. If the absence is for two or more days, CECS must also be notified.

What if they terminate me? Termination & Layoffs Termination & Layoffs –A Co-Op student who is terminated by an employer for any reason including those that fault the student (such as incompetence, unsatisfactory performance, irregular attendance/tardiness or unacceptable behavior/attitude etc) must report this to the CECS immediately. –In the event of termination, the CECS and/or Co-Op Supervisor will carry out an investigation of the situation. Student not at fault Student not at fault Student at fault - disciplinary action will be taken and/or a fail grade may be given for that Co-Op module. Student at fault - disciplinary action will be taken and/or a fail grade may be given for that Co-Op module.

What should I do when I’m about to finish my Co-Op? Towards the End of a Work Term Towards the End of a Work Term –It is the Co-Op student’s responsibility to submit the following by the given deadlines : Online Co-Op Job Evaluation Form Online Co-Op Job Evaluation Form Co-Op Student Evaluation Form (to be collected from CECS prior to commencement of work term) Co-Op Student Evaluation Form (to be collected from CECS prior to commencement of work term) Written Report/Assignment given by the student’s School (and approved by the student’s employer, where required) Written Report/Assignment given by the student’s School (and approved by the student’s employer, where required)

Part 3: Co-Op Student Planner

CECS Staff Mr. Sudesh Balasubramaniam Mr. Sudesh Balasubramaniam Ms. Amy Yong: Ms. Amy Yong: Ms. Betty Liew: Ms. Betty Liew: Ms. Farah Muthu: Ms. Farah Muthu: Ms. Parameswari: Ms. Parameswari: * For any enquiries or appointment, kindly see Ms Parameswari. Or

Please remain in the hall for Part 2 - Co-Op Seminar.