Starline Windows

Co-op a window of opportunity for students and employers

Terry Vipond (right), the Information Systems Manager at Starline Windows, has hired several Douglas College co-cp students from the Computer Information Systems Program, including Yi-Ted Tai (left) and Cindi Louis (front).

One of the biggest challenges employers face is finding good employees. And many business people know one of the best ways to find good employees is to hire co-operative education students. Not only are they young, enthusiastic and affordable, but they are often very eager to get their feet in the door and gain career-related experience.

"We have a history of students who stay on at their company as permanent employees when their Co-op term ends," says Paula Renning, Co-operative Education Program Coordinator at Douglas College. "For the employer, it's a chance to try out a new employee with no strings attached. Often employers are very happy with the calibre of our students and continue to hire new co-op students each semester."

The Co-operative Education Program at Douglas College provides free services to employers who want to hire co-op students, including job postings, resume screening and interview scheduling for business, arts and science students. The co-op staff know the students and their abilities, so they are able to refer them to the most suitable positions. For students, co-op provides the opportunity to earn money and College credit while gaining career-related skills.

Terry Vipond, an Information Systems Manager with Starline Windows in Langley, has hired 12 co-op students from Douglas College in the past eight years. Six have stayed on as permanent employees.

"You get to try the students out and see if they fit into the organization," says Vipond. "They get to know our business and our processes. The programming languages they teach at Douglas College are ideal for our needs. And the students are very energetic and eager to make a name for themselves."

Vipond currently has two co-op students from the Computer Information Systems Program at Douglas College, Cindi Louis and Yi-Ted Tai.

"One of my instructors, Ray Yu, hunted me down in the hallway and said, `Cindi, you've got to apply for this co-op position," says Louis, who lives in Port Coquitlam. "I've learned more in the last month than I ever imagined. I would not have wanted to graduate without this experience. The instruction at Douglas College is fabulous, but there?s nothing like real-life application in the work world."

Louis also recognizes that co-op gives her a chance to explore career options. "There are so many different areas in information technology. The Computer Information Systems Program trained me in networking, programming, Web development and more. Co-op is a great opportunity to test-drive a career."

Richmond resident Sonny Wong started at Starline Windows as a Douglas College co-op student three-and-a-half years ago, and now he is the company's Software Developer. "I'd recommend Co-op to anyone. It's very practical. You take what you learn in College and apply it in the workplace. You get a chance to meet people in industry. And if you?re lucky, you get a job. After my Co-op term ended, they asked me to stay."

Co-operative education students at Douglas College are looking for placements now. For more information about the free services for employers provided by the Co-operative Education Program at Douglas College, please contact the Co-op Program at 604-527-5100 or visit the Web site at www.douglas.bc.ca/services/co-op.