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Hire an MES Student
Hire an MES Student
Hire an MES Student
Benefits of an MES Student
Highly Skilled in Environment and Sustainability
Employability Upon Completion
With the co-op term taking place at the end of the program, MES students are prepared to transition seamlessly into full-time roles upon completing their co-op requirements.
Focus on Mentorship and Meaningful Contributions
Your time is respected through a co-op structure designed to emphasize meaningful contributions to your organization, rather than excessive evaluations or addministrative requirements.
The Details
Western’s Master of Environment and Sustainability (MES) is a one-year, full-time, interdisciplinary professional science master’s program. It prepares graduates to address today’s most pressing environmental and sustainability challenges, including climate change, waste reduction and conservation.
MES students enter the program with strong academic foundations, holding four-year undergraduate degrees across a range of disciplines. Throughout the program, they develop intellectual and practical skills for the application and advancement of environmental sciences and sustainability across scientific, business, industrial and policy sectors.
The interdisciplinary and collaborative curriculum cultivates communication, leadership and project management skills, preparing graduates to work on complex problems with a variety of stakeholders in the face of challenges posed by societal changes related to the environment and ecological demands.
After completing two academic terms, MES students are required to complete a four-month (500-hour) co-op term from May - August. Students work 35 - 40 hours per week and function as full-time employees within your organization.
MES students bring both technical skills and applied knowledge, enabling them to contribute meaningfully from day one and support the successful completion of projects.
Students require a supervisor for the duration of the co-op. This supervisor must be a full-time employee of the organization who is available to provide guidance and mentorship throughout the term.
Skills and Tools:
- Environmental Assessments
- Indigenous Allyship and Inclusion
- Client Consulting
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Spatial Analysis
- Data Analysis
- PowerBI
- Sustainability Reporting
- GHG Accounting
- Community Engagement
- Sustainability Frameworks
- Environmental Planning
- Energy and Waste Management
- Environmental Policy
- Life Cycle Assessment
- Biodiversity and Invasive Species Assessments
MES students and alumni are suited for roles such as:
- Policy Analyst
- Sustainability Coordinator
- ESG Analyst
- Conservation Intern
- Junior Project Manager
- Energy Analyst
- Environmental Planner
- Species at Risk Specialist
- Environmental Technician
- Sustainable Impact Analyst
- Field Researcher
- Junior Biologist
- GIS Technician
- Urban Forestry Technician
| MES Student Salaries for the Co-op Work Term | Hourly Rate of Pay |
| Typical Hiring Range | $22-40/hour |
| Average Over Past 5 Years | $30/hour |
| Average During the 2024 Co-op Work Term | $30/hour |
Funding is available to support co-op students and the projects they contribute to.
| Important Dates | |
| September 1 | Job postings are accepted |
| May 1 | Employment begins |
Recruitment for MES students begins in September each year, with job postings accepted through May of the following year. This provides flexibility for organizations, as hiring timelines vary by industry.
Students begin reviewing job postings in October, with many applying to positions over the winter break (late December - early January). The majority of interviews take place February - April, with most co-op terms beginning May 1. In some cases, employment may begin as late as June.
Note: Employers are encouraged to submit opportunities before January 31 to reach the largest applicant pool.
Let's Get Started
Whether you have questions about hiring an MES student or are ready to recruit, we're here to help!
Frequently Asked Questions
As an employer, we ask that you commit to:
- Offering the students work projects that are relevant and degree-related
- Providing orientation and training for the student when they begin their co-op term
- Imparting your experience and wisdom through regular supervision and mentorship
Additionally, to support the evaluation of the student's performance, you will be asked to help the student develop learning outcomes, attend a mid-term site visit, complete an end-of-term evaluation and review the student's final report.
The Master of Environment and Sustainability (MES) program is a recognized co-operative education program with the Ministry of Colleges & Universities and enables an employer to be eligible for The Ontario Co-operative Education Tax Credit (maximum credit $3,000 per four-month placement). Other funding for employers includes the ECO Canada’s Student Work Placement Program (funding available up to $5,000 or $7,000), funded by the Government of Canada’s Employment and Social Development Program.
Additional funding supports can be found here.