Co-op Preparation
Students are required to complete three workshops before they can begin their first work term. These are:
- Resumes/Cover Letters (taken through BIOC 2010H)
- Interview Skills
- Professionalism in the Workplace
Students will learn about job search strategies, resumes, cover letters, interview skills, LinkedIn, networking, and how to be successful in the workplace. Workshops will include discussions of diversity, equity, and inclusion as they relate to the workplace.
These workshops are scheduled by the Conservation Biology Co-op Coordinator. Upon completion of these workshops, students will have gained a comprehensive understanding of the co-operative education process along with the tools, skills, and knowledge to successfully attain their first work term. This will helps students meaningfully engage with their co-op work in ways that will support their academic, personal, and professional development.
Work Term Areas for Co-op
Students can expect to work in a wide range of areas during their co-op work terms. A Conservation Biology student has a multitude of skills and knowledge that can be applied to diverse fields. These students are excellent communicators, critical thinkers, observers and analyzers, advocates, and social change makers. The work opportunities for these students are endless! These are some areas that Conservation Biology Co-op students can expect to work in during their co-op work terms:
Animal Care Specialist
Community Development
Community Education
Community Engagement
Conservation Officer
Content Creation
Data Officer
Education & Outreach Assistant
Environmental Consulting
Environmental Planning
Evaluation & Research
Field Technician
Invasive Species Technician
Lab Technician
Landscape Ecologist
Libraries, Museums & Archives
Media & Communications
Policy Analysis
Program Coordinator/Developer
Project Officer
Protected Areas Information Officer
Public Relations
Research Assistant
Rehabilitation
Water Technologist
Wildlife Technician
Social Marketing
Youth Programming
Co-op Hiring Incentives
Ontario Co-operative Education Tax Credit
- Available to all eligible employers who hire co-op students from an Ontario university. Employers can receive 25% (30% for small businesses) of expenditures back-up to a maximum of $3,000 for each placement.
- Eligible employers must: have a permanent establishment located in Ontario, and be subject to Ontario income tax, and, incur eligible expenditures associated with hiring co-op students enrolled in an Ontario university or college.
Job Postings
Host agencies submit job postings to the Coordinator, Placements, Internships and Co-ops, Sarah Jamieson, by email. Conservation Biology Co-op job postings will be displayed on the Conservation Biology Co-op Program Community within the Student Experience Portal. All students in the Conservation Biology Co-op Program will be added to this community. These postings will be open only to Conservation Biology Co-op students. Resumes are sent directly to the host agency or Jennifer Kerswill, who decide whom to interview.
Other job postings are on the Trent University Student Job Board.
External to Trent University, below are excellent sources for Canadian co-op jobs specific to Conservation Biology.
Eco Canada: https://www.eco.ca/viewjobs/
Conservation Ontario: https://conservationontario.ca/careers/
Envirojobs: http://www.canadianenvironmental.com/envirojobs/
Environmental Careers: https://environmentalcareer.com/
Good Work Canada: https://www.goodwork.ca/
New Scientist Jobs: https://jobs.newscientist.com/jobs/
Work Cabin: https://www.workcabin.ca/
Local Government & Non-Profit
The Land Between
GreenUP
Otonabee Region Conservation Authority
Kawartha Conservation
Ontario Government - most opportunities available here
Support
Trent University Careerspace
Contact about:
- Support with resume writing and cover letters
- Interview Preparation
- Career Counselling
All Trent University students are encouraged to use Careerspace as early as first semester, and certainly throughout their undergraduate degree. Browse their website for more information regarding job postings, workshops and career advising. Students can sign up for an appointment through the Student Experience Portal.
Biology Department Placement Officer
Contact about:
- Help finding your next co-op
- Help finding a place to live
- Questions about your co-op job, once matched
- Questions or concerns during your work term
Sarah Jamieson, Coordinator, Placements, Internships and Co-ops, Biology Department
(705) 748-1011 ext 7808
LHS D223
Biology Department Coordinator & Advisor
Contact about:
- Questions about your academic program
- Questions about your co-op degree requirements
- Questions about your study/work sequence
Gillian Ferguson-Martin, Coordinator & Advisor, Biology Department (on leave till October 2026)
(705) 748-1011 ext 6154
LHS D222
