How To Wrap Up a Co-Op Term

Originally published for RBC

It's the end of your co-op term - congratulations! You’ve done it! As you begin your next phase, whether that's heading back to school, beginning a new student opportunity, or even moving to another area of your current organization, it's important to know how to wrap up your term effectively. The end of your term is arguably more important than the beginning of your term, as this is your final chance to demonstrate your value to your team, show your confidence in establishing connections, and make the most of what you've learned. While ending your term, you’ll want to leave a lasting impression and finish up on the best note possible! 

As a co-op student working on an early talent team that onboards over 750 students every year, I’ve been lucky enough to learn what stands out to managers when their students are finishing up their time at the organization. Here are my 3 tips on how to successfully wrap up a co-op term.

​1. Go out with a bang

Just because you're ending your term doesn't mean this is the time to sit back, relax, and kill time until your last day. When you leave, there will likely be a new employee taking over, so it's important to make sure they have all of the resources they will need to do continue your work. In your last week of work, don't forget to: 

• Properly document your processes and ensure any important files are easily accessible by your team.

• Update your team on any of your projects in progress and any upcoming deadlines.

• Inform any business contacts of your last day of work and their point of contact moving forward. ​

These efforts will likely be memorable to your manager and team members, and leave them with a lasting impression of your work!

2. Ask for feedback ​

As a student, you're always learning. If you haven't yet, reach out to your manager to ask for feedback on your performance and gain insight into careers you are interested in pursuing. Some ways you can do this are to: 

• Discuss your performance review. This can help you identify your current strengths and highlight opportunities for improvement.

• Look at your resume and see how you can improve it moving forward. If you need help capturing your accomplishments from the term, reach out to your manager or a team member to help you brainstorm and add these achievements to your resume!

• Discuss future steps to get to your dream position, and see if your manager has any insights about the field you would like to pursue.

With the guidance of your manager, you’ll be better prepared to set goals and map out your career plan. ​

3. Connect with your team 

One of the benefits of a co-op position is the opportunity to network! As you end your term, consider building your professional network with the following tips: ​

• Connect with your manager, team members, coffee chats, and other students on LinkedIn or over email. It's a great way to establish a connection with people with whom you may want to keep in touch for future opportunities. This is also a great way to keep track of what your team is up to in the future, in case there is an opportunity for you to return.

• After you have left your current organization, continue to follow up with your connections. This is key to keeping doors open and gaining insight from professionals in your network. Like and comment on their posts on LinkedIn, congratulate them on their accomplishments, and check in just to say hi every once in a while. Success comes to those who work hard and maintain their professional contacts, so don't forget to keep in touch. ​

Are you going to be applying to co-op positions again soon? Or, are you thinking about doing more education and need a professional letter of recommendation? Here's some advice on how to approach your coworkers about this now: 

• ​Leverage the contacts you made at your organization before you end your term and ask a few of your closest connections if they would be willing to provide a reference to future employers or schools. ​Sometimes, employers discourage their employees from providing recommendations, so if they say no, be respectful of their decision and move on.

• Keep in touch with these contacts. You are far more likely to secure a great recommendation if you are in regular contact with them and keep them in the loop about applying to schools or co-op positions. ​

• Never assume a coworker will be a reference for you, and always ask their permission before sending their information out in an application.

 I hope these tips will help you end your term on a positive note!