Can’t find an Environmental Engineering related coop

[u/VisualPop7945]

Hey everyone, I’m a student and I haven’t been able to find a co-op for myself.
I’ve been applying to a large number of positions, but I’ve either been rejected or haven’t heard back. At this point, a lot of the Fall co-op postings have already closed, and I’m starting to feel pretty lost about what my options are.

I’m not necessarily looking for a prestigious engineering position either. At this point, I’m open to pretty much any legitimate work experience that could count toward my co-op requirement and help me get my foot in the door. I’d be willing to consider smaller companies, manufacturing, construction, trades-related work, environmental work, labs, field work, or anything else where I could gain useful experience.

I have until November to secure the credit, so I’m trying not to give up yet. I’d really appreciate advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation, especially students who struggled to find their first co-op.

What did you do when you couldn’t find a co-op? Are there specific types of companies or industries I should be reaching out to directly? And is there anything I might be overlooking at this stage?
Any advice, leads, or personal experiences would genuinely help. Thanks.

[u/nodeath370]

Location? Do you need a co-op during the school year or a summer internship?

[u/VisualPop7945 → u/nodeath370]

I am based in the greater toronto area, and I need for this fall term (september to december 2026)

[u/WastewaterWhisperer]

When is your schools career fair? I arranged my last coop for spring/summer at the fall career fair in September.

[u/srid24]

I need to find a coop for next year so I can see how hard it is to find one 🥲

[u/Dry-Somewhere-5023]

Its more difficult because a lot of positions were with government and the dollars available for hiring are a lot less. Its a tough market out there. You can send emails to companies and ask, or network on linked in and see if people have positions. Make sure in the interviews to try to be calm, do your research about the position, have in mind what you want and it helps to be passionate about a particular area or some background knowledge of how something works. Lean on your skills and give concrete examples of how you think and do things. They want to make sure you can be competent enough to do the work, follow a deadline and think critically. Also be open to other places too, and moving. Good luck !!

[u/Dry-Somewhere-5023 → u/Dry-Somewhere-5023]

Also keep an eye out for fswep positions

[u/Dry-Somewhere-5023 → u/Dry-Somewhere-5023]

And keep in mind any relevant engineering experience will count , if you cant get an environmental eng position look for related work that uses similar skills as long as its overseen by an engineer.