Career Readiness
Work Placements
Completion of at least three work terms is a requirement for the Geographic Analysis Co-op degree. It ensures that graduates have gained significant work experience in addition to their formal education. After completion of their first work term and in extraordinary circumstances, students can request a plan change and complete the program without the co-op designation (see Academic Recovery Pathway in the Calendar (opens in new window) ).
An internship has been a part of the program since the 1970s, and has proven to be extremely valuable for both, graduates and employers. Students participate in work-integrated learning and gain practical experience with data collection, processing, management, analysis, visualization, and reporting. Meanwhile, the government, business, and non-profit community benefits from the interaction with potential future employees who have made the academic commitment to pursuing a career in Geographic Analysis.
Work terms are normally completed as fulltime, paid work terms starting in the summer between 2nd and 3rd year and then alternating with academic terms. Students admitted until Fall 2024 have the option to complete the 4-year Geographic Analysis degree with an internship. These students enrol in the practicum course after completing at least 350 hours of career-related placement(s). The course includes a reflection on the internship experience.
Employers interested in hosting a Geographic Analysis intern or co-op student are encouraged to contact Dr. Claus Rinner. Co-op inquiries will be forwarded to TMU's Career and Co-op Centre. To qualify, internship and co-op positions should entail the utilization of key geographic and geospatial theories, concepts, models, and tools studied in the classroom and labs.
Examples of Recent Work Placements
- Barrie, Kingston, Markham, and other cities in Southern Ontario
- BlueDot
- Centre for the Study of Commercial Activity
- CIBC, TD, and other big banks
- Domino's Pizza
- Elections Ontario
- Empire Communities
- Environics Analytics
- Loblaw Companies Ltd.
- Metro Inc.
- Metrolinx
- Municipal Property Assessment Corporation
- Niagara Region, York Region
- Ontario Headwaters Institute
- Ontario Power Generation
- Ontario Ministries of the Environment, Conservation and Parks; Natural Resources; Transportation; others
- Riverdale Immigrant Women's Centre
- Toronto Parking Authority
- Toronto Water
- Town of Ajax, Caledon, Township of King, and other small Ontario municipalities
- Watson & Associates
- Wildlife Conservation Society Canada
Experiential Learning
The application of classroom learning in practice, and the reflection on "doing geography", is at the core of the Geographic Analysis program. Experiential learning is integrated in a number of program components:
- Field studies - in-person observation and interaction with the human and natural environment (GEO 131, 141, 643, 773)
- Lab assignments - hands-on application of geospatial theories and concepts, development of technical research skills (all GEO x4x courses)
- Service teaching - student groups work for external clients from industry, government, and non-profits (GEO 873)
- Research training - students work on an individual research paper (GEO 772) or participate in faculty research through paid research assistant positions
Students also have an opportunity to spend one or two terms on international exchange. The Geographic Analysis program has partnered with Manchester Metropolitan University, England, the University of Stirling, Scotland, and Wageningen University in the Netherlands. More information on studying and working abroad is available through the Faculty of Arts Student Experience Centre (opens in new window) .
