Government, Economics and Management Co-op Student Information
About The Program
The Government, Economics & Management (GEM) program is designed to lead to an understanding of public sector administration and management from the inside, as an integrated enterprise, as well as from the outside, as a series of policy decisions and outcomes. Characterized by a multi-disciplinary approach by employing both political and business-oriented analysis, you will confront questions of why politicians and public servants behave the way they do, and how their policy choices and processes can be optimized. The core business curriculum is supplemented by specific emphasis on public policy and administration, in addition to business-government relations. Upon completion of the (GEM) major, you will be well positioned to compete for exciting and diverse career opportunities within the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.
Why Co-op?
As a co-op student, you will gain relevant work experience, build professional networks and develop essential interpersonal skills needed to succeed in the workplace, all while getting paid and earning your university degree. Guelph’s co-op program is unique due to the exceptional level of support provided, including an in-class preparatory course, a personal connection with a Co-op Coordinator to assist you during the employment process, and access to senior student mentors.
Course Sequencing
| YEAR | FALL | WINTER | SUMMER |
|---|---|---|---|
| ONE | Academic | Academic | Off |
| TWO | Academic | Academic | Work |
| THREE | Work | Academic | Work |
| FOUR | Academic | Work | Work |
| FIVE | Academic | Academic |
Acquired Knowledge & Skills
Knowledge
Comprehensive understanding of the public sector, including municipal, provincial and federal levels of government, the legal system, and various academic, healthcare and other institutions that provide public service.
Communication
Enhanced communication skills to professionally manage sensitive social and political issues.
Collaboration
Excellent leadership and organizational skills as well as the ability to collaborate effectively in teams.
Sample Jobs
Policy Analyst
Contribute to an organization’s policy development through assisting with report preparation, presentation delivery, research projects and analyzing various documents. In this role, the ability to conduct analysis on large quantities of complex data is highly important, as well as skills in problem solving and project management.
Research Associate
In this role, you will utilize a combination of your project management, research, and communication skills to assist in a variety of tasks such as statistical analysis, market report creation, and database maintenance. Excellent attention to detail is required in this position, as well as high-level organizational skills.
Junior Project Analyst
Gain hands-on knowledge as to how the provincial government functions, including exposure to finance, program design and delivery, measurement and analysis, and individual ministry decision-making processes. This includes analyzing business proposals, reconciling financial data, and developing communications materials.
Also common: Project Coordinator, Intergovernmental Affairs Assistant, Policy Assistant, and more
Sample Employers*
Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Agribusiness (OMAFA)
- Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC)
- Government of Canada
- Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)
*This shows a sample of recent co-op employers and will vary depending on employer recruitment needs. During a job search, students are encouraged to be actively engaged and are supported in establishing and maintaining their own personal contacts.
Salary Information
Students receive compensation from their employer for co-op work terms. The rate of pay will vary depending on a number of factors including the industry, the student’s program of study, and work term level. For your reference, a Co-operative Education Salary Guide is available on our website, which provides hourly rates (averages and ranges) for each degree program.
