Is it worth to take 3rd year after returning from Co-op replacement?
Hi all, I'm a student in the 4th semester in CPA and about to start an 8-month work term in May. I want to ask current students/graduates: Is it worth finishing 3rd year (PRJ566/666 & Other Professional Option Courses) after returning from the Co-op term? I know some graduates who transferred from CPA to CPP before finishing the Co-op term and graduated directly to start searching for full-time jobs (OR accept direct hire from the Co-op company), but besides the irregular (or fast-track) path, is it worth finishing the 3rd year? Are those course contents useful in future careers?
6 Replies
It depends which classes you take. Some classes are good knowledge, some are deliberately easy just so you can finish with it fast.
I did PRJ before co-op, so that was more useful, as it helps with a portfolio. Doing it after a co-op is not as good, since the co-op experience you already have is just simply better than PRJ.
As pro options go - I don't know which you'll have available, but I will heavily recommend Open source classes (there's 2 of them), and Computer vision (might not be available for you). That is, if you want something that really helps your skills.
Consider if you think just having a complete diploma is useful to you. If your co-op already was interested in you coming back - you might not even need it. But, if you don't have a place to go for now - might as well finish the program.
If you want to finish as simple as possible - there are some pro options I can recommend too. But again, a list of available classes changes each semester, so it's easier if you show your options yourself.
Im in a similar situation. I got a full time job after my coop placement, and could've graduated with CPP diploma instead of CPA. But im opting to finish CPA part time and get that advanced diploma. For the sake of if I ever want to go to university in the future, having an advanced diploma would shave a year off of uni. So might as well cover my bases now.
It was not an easy decision to make...
I would say yes it’s worth it. Especially because every internship or full time interview I get asked on my capstone project from PRJ. Also the pro courses are the only chance you get to specialize in something. Cloud, database, Oop or mobile.
In my opinion no. The only real value of doing the extra year is the capstone project, however I don’t think you need to go to school to create a meaningful project which you can show off on your resume and discuss at interviews. I did CPP, and multiple side projects in my free time which ultimately got me through the interviews. If you do it yourself, you also have the flexibility to choose whatever you want, whereas I imagine the capstone project has some limitations. Also, CPA will not necessarily make it easier to get a bachelors later. Many credits will likely not transfer, unless you do the Seneca bachelors.
In my opinion, yes, you can complete the school as part time and get the certification. Later if you want to pursue a degree, it makes it easier. Always keep your options open for unexpected future plans. Some companies will ask you to provide a degree and will give you more compensation for it.
Do the third year. Earning the advanced diploma makes you eligible to bridge to a computer science degree program at Ontario Tech, or Software engineering technology degree at McMaster University (online evening classes), or the Data Science degree at Seneca.
Jobs security does not exist and a 2 year diploma is limited in scope. You can always switch to part-time studies for your last semesters 5 and 6 while working full-time.