Good news for any University of Victoria students faced with the prospect of job hunting once they graduate next spring!
A report from Times Higher Education (THE), a prestigious organization that collects data on universities around the world, says that the University of Victoria is the best comprehensive university in Canada when it comes to preparing its students for jobs after graduation.
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With data gathered from around the world, THE ranked over 200 universities to determine which schools have the best reputation amongst recruiters from top global companies.
UVic was the seventh of nine Canadian universities featured in the results, and it ranked the highest out of any comprehensive university in the country.
Of all Canadian universities, the University of Toronto ranked highest at 15th worldwide, followed closely by McGill at 17th.
In a press release, UVic pointed towards its Co-operative Education Program (or co-op program) as one of the main reasons behind its ranking.
“Students tell us that the hands-on work experience they gain at UVic is transformative,” said Andrea Giles, acting executive director of UVic’s Co-op Program and Career Services, in the press release.
“They apply what they’re learning in class to solve real-world challenges, and in doing so, they develop confidence, connect with passionate professionals, and discover how they can positively impact the world around them.”
The co-op program at UVic is an extra-curricular initiative aimed at giving UVic students paid workplace experience before they graduate. The program is incredibly popular, with 43% of eligible students taking part in the work experience opportunities offered.
In 2018, UVic co-op students completed 4,288 co-op terms with 1,350 different employer organizations around the globe, including 325 international work terms, according to the university.
UVic students often work with major global companies during their co-op terms. Google, Tesla, the Canadian Space Agency, Global Affairs Canada, and Western Digital Thailand all hired UVic students for co-op terms in 2019.
Google and Tesla also regularly hire UVic graduates outside of the Co-op program. Currently Google employs more than 50 UVic graduates, while Tesla has hired close to 20.
