PowerPoint Presentation

Waterloo as a Model Employer

Robyn HockingJudene PrettiAlannah Robinson

Presentation OutlineProject Description Project Findings and RecommendationsProposed Welcome PackageNext Steps #watitis2012Project Background6th Decade aspires for Waterloo to bea model employer for co-op students (as rated by students), providing high quality work experiences especially for first-year studentsLeadership forum discussion and follow-up working groupProposed a multi-unit student research project as a way to start

#watitis2012Students InvolvedAlannah Robinson, 4B AHS(Coordinator)Ashley Baetsen (Registrar Office)Irene Izekeli (Registrar Office)Balkirat Chohan (Registrar Office)Erika Naraghi (Retail Services)Evana Delay (WatPD)Tori Nevin (Office of Development and Alumni Affairs)Dylan Gardner (Registrar Office)Chantel Pilon (Student Success Office)Shannon Hall (OHD) Julia Vit (Registrar Office)Robyn Hocking (WatPD)Elizabeth Zhu (Cheriton School of Computer Science)#watitis2012Questions InvestigatedWhat are the common characteristics of a model employer for co-op students?What is the current situation for co-op students working at UWaterloo? What recommendations does the project team have for UWaterloo to be a model employer for its co-op students?

#watitis2012Interviews25 interviews with supervisors on campus20 interviews with co-op students working on campus3 interviews with CECA student advisors who work with students employed on campusTranscripts preparedThemes identified

#watitis2012Findings and RecommendationsGoal SettingMidterm EvaluationsMentorship and Supervisor SupportOpportunities for Job ShadowingOnboarding#watitis2012Goal Setting: Student BenefitsIncreases satisfaction in the workplace by creating a way to focus on career goals Allows the conscious application of academic learning to practical experienceIncreases likelihood of supervisor support throughout the term; when supervisors understand what students goals are, they are more likely to provide the right types of support and guidance

#watitis2012Goal Setting: Supervisor BenefitsStudents who have been guided through the creation of clear goals will have more measurable contributions to the workplaceWork term evaluations become easier to complete when students goals have been clearly discussed throughout the termUnderstanding what students want to achieve can help supervisors to determine how students can best contribute to the workplace

#watitis2012Goal Setting: ImplementationSet goals early in the termRevisit these goals during student meetings to make sure objectives remain clearUse goal-completion progress in mid-term and final evaluations#watitis2012Midterm Evaluations: Student BenefitsCan use feedback to improve future performanceOpportunity to learn about strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvementEveryones on the same page: aligns students and supervisors vision of student performance

#watitis2012Midterm Evaluations: Supervisor BenefitsProviding praise and constructive criticism reinforces students desire to improvePromotes communication and goal settingOpportunity to realign expectations and articulate ways for students to enhance their contributions

#watitis2012Midterm Evaluations: ImplementationUse the same criteria from end-of-term evaluation formGive student a copy of the mid-term evaluation form at the beginning of the termConsider having student do a self-evaluation prior to meeting to discuss performance

#watitis2012Mentorship and Support: Student BenefitsLearn from more experienced peersBuild social and professional relationships Encouraged to ask questions, apply theoretical knowledge and better understand the structure of the workplace

#watitis2012Mentorship and Support: Supervisor BenefitsProviding mentorship and support improves student engagement in the workplaceIncreases likelihood of students returning in future termsIncreases student desire to contribute in a meaningful and useful way

#watitis2012Mentorship and Support: ImplementationAttempt to connect with studentsCommunicate availabilityEncourage students to connect with other experienced employeesEncourage experienced employees to connect with students

#watitis2012Job Shadowing: Student BenefitsExperiential learning:increases practical knowledge Improves self-confidenceProvides opportunity for employmentAllows students to gain skills to complement classroom learningIncreased understanding and respect for other departments and roles within the workplace

#watitis2012Job Shadowing: Supervisor BenefitsProvides more rounded work experience for the studentIncreases student independence and awareness of the broad operations within the workplaceIncreases likelihood that student will discover reasons to return to the workplace

#watitis2012Job Shadowing: ImplementationEncourage students to approach other members of the workplace to explore shadowing opportunitiesEncourage members of the workplace to see merit in providing shadowing opportunities to students

#watitis2012OnboardingOnboarding, also known as organizational socialization, refers to the mechanism through which new employees acquire the necessary knowledge, skills and behaviours to become effective organizational members

#watitis2012Onboarding: Student BenefitsStudents feel welcome right at the beginning of the termStudents understand their role and their units role in the overall mission of the universityExpectations are set and communicated to minimize problems during the term#watitis2012Onboarding: Supervisor BenefitsFormalizing a training process or materials ensures that consistent messages are provided to incoming studentsA clearer understanding their role and how their work contributes to the bigger pictures is likely to increase student motivation and productivity#watitis2012Onboarding: ImplementationThe student research team prepared a proposed Welcome Package to be used with co-op students with templates for various points of communication between the supervisor and the co-op student#watitis2012Proposed Welcome PackageWorksheetsWelcome LetterJob DescriptionTerm CalendarOrganizational ChartSpecial ProjectsWork Term ReportMid-term Performance EvaluationExit InterviewCampus ResourcesOHD PrinciplesOHD Student Leadership ProgramStudent Success OfficeAthleticsFederation of StudentsCentre for Career ActionWatPD

#watitis2012Next StepsWinter 2013 Pilot of Welcome PackageWill send packages to supervisors interested in participatingWill send an electronic copy of the worksheets so they can be customized for the hiring departmentWill send out brief surveys to participating supervisors and students Spring 2013 Staff Conference presentation and package roll-out

#watitis2012Next Steps ctd.Exploration of how to promote more multi-unit projects for co-op studentsMultiple benefits to participating students and departmentsIncreased understanding and appreciation for the institutionIncreased variety in work term experienceEnd product is a blend of the perspectives of a number of students working in a number of different units

#watitis2012Thank you!

Questions?#watitis2012