Professional Experience Year Co-op (PEY Co-op)

 

The information on this page pertains to the previous format of the PEY Co-op program, and only applies to students who were in their third year of study during the 2021-2022 academic year

First and second-year Engineering students can access relevant program information HERE

Registration Dates for 2022-2023 

September 10-21, 2021

January 5-19, 2022

Students work between May 2022 – August 2023

For the complete timeline please click HERE

U of T's Professional Experience Year Co-op Program (PEY Co-op) is a work-integrated learning program that helps undergraduate students gain 12 to 16 months of paid work experience before they graduate. This optional program enables undergraduates who have completed their third year of study to build meaningful work experience, strengthen their professional networks and enhance their interpersonal and technical competencies. During this period, which lasts 12 to 16 consecutive months, PEY Co-op students are working full time with a competitive salary.

New Co-op Programming Model

In September 2020, the Engineering Career Centre launched a new PEY Co-op programming model that provides Engineering students access to workplace preparatory programming during Years 1 and 2. The new programming is designed to provide students with the perfect balance of engaging professional development and immersive industry exposure that will get them ready for the longer 12-16 month PEY Co-op work term. In the Fall of 2021, first year Engineering students will go through career exploration programming and Engineering students in Year 2 are required to complete preparatory modules to be eligible for a summer co-op work term between May and August 2022.  This summer work term is the first of two work-integrated learning opportunities offered within the new Professional Experience Year (PEY) Co-op Program model. Recruitment for the summer co-op work term starts in Winter 2022.

2022-2023 PEY Co-op Work Term Year

As a result of the new PEY Co-op programming, the 2022-2023 work term year will be a transition year between the current outgoing model and the new program model. To facilitate this transition, the following students are eligible to register in September 2021 and January 2022 for the 12-16 month PEY Co-op recruitment cycle.

With the launch of the new PEY Co-op model, Arts and Science students at the St. George and UTSC campuses will no longer be eligible to participate in recruitment starting September 2022.


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PEY Co-op students working in the Intel Lab, at the Intel, Toronto office.
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Students

Why Choose PEY Co-op?

  • It’s more than a foot in the door

    You'll work full time for an employer of your choosing for 12 to 16 consecutive months after third year. You’ll apply your education to industry challenges while making meaningful professional contributions. Through PEY Co-op, you can focus on career development without needing to switch between work and school each semester. 

  • It's Paid

    PEY Co-op students earn an average of approximately $50,000 annually, with top salaries reaching $90,000 in 12 months. You'll also position yourself perfectly to negotiate a post-graduation starting salary that is 15% higher than those without the same quality of experience. 

  • It’s optional

    Nearly 70 per cent of third-year engineering students choose the PEY Co-op Program each year.  

  • It fits seamlessly into your journey

    PEY Co-op has proven to be an invaluable part of the student success journey. After working for 12 to 16 months, you’ll return to school with a new perspective on your career path. You will bring an enhanced perspective back to the classroom and explore your interests having had a robust marketplace experience. The 12-16 month work term allows the employer to involve the student in higher level work which often translates into higher salaries and enhanced work opportunities post-graduation. 

  • Top employers come to you

    PEY Co-op companies represent every sector and include major global brands such as AppleTeslaProctor & Gamble and IBM. Some employers only hire PEY Co-op students because it’s their best return on investment. PEY Co-op is also an excellent way for employers to preview and recruit future talent: many students return to school with a confirmed or tentative job offer. 

  • Choose from opportunities around the world

    In 2020-21, 1692 PEY Co-op students had access to 493 employers and 2000 jobs. PEY Co-op employers range from local startups to large international companies across every sector. You will apply and interview for the positions you’re most interested in, and accept the job offer that best aligns with your goals.  

  • Graduate a step closer to being a professional engineer

    You can apply 12 months of PEY Co-op experience toward acquiring your  P.Eng. designation from Professional Engineers Ontario.  

  • Gain professional confidence before starting your job

    We will work with you to ensure your resume and interview prep showcase your strengths before you begin applying for PEY Co-op positions. Career counselling and professional skills development are all important parts of the process. Workshops and guidance on everything from networking to negotiating salary will serve you as you apply for PEY Co-op positions and well beyond graduation. 

PEY Co-op Overview

PEY Co-op FAQs

Lean more about PEY Co-op. Visit our PEY Co-op Frequently Asked Questions page »