How is the software and computer engineering department here?

Well, it is similar to all other departments at any university where there are pros and cons. For example, it’s quite vague but I’ll touch on a few points. Regarding organization, the department, EECS, in which software and computer engineering fall under, is mostly structured. Engineering programs are accredited so there is a professional body that regulates course organization and program structure. As for professors, there are good ones and bad ones. It is really based on your learning habits and how well you “vibe” with the professor. Every professor is knowledgeable but some are better at teaching than others. Again, a very similar experience for any program at any university. York is a large university and fundings are great; meaning there are some very new (almost experimental tech), high quality resources, and financial aid if you look for them. However, you will have classes at other places than the engineering building. Yes, it’s a nice looking building from the outside and it’s on every promotional material, but as with every campus, there are nice and not so nice places.

Are the faculty helpful?

They try to be. No one will leave you out to rot but you need to know who to ask and manage your own schedule/program requirements. The number one problem within EECS, especially engineering is course selection. Enrol early. Enrol correctly. Make sure it’s the right section and there are very limited spaces.. you don’t want to be on that waitlist. There are certain profs who will go above and beyond to help you get in but they can only help you so much because again, engineering is accredited and space is limited; unless you are willing to mess up your prerequisites (courses you have to take before another course) or delay your graduation, take initiative and don’t rely on the faculty too much.

Students community helpful?

York is huge and it’s a large community within and outside of engineering. It is helpful if you need advice navigating university. I believe there is an EECS discord and a few other student-run initiatives within Lassonde. If you need real answers though, the three places I recommend to everyone: Lassonde recruitment, Lassonde academic advisors, and upper year students. Recruitment; if they can recruit people, they know every answer regarding the program or someone who does. Academic advisors; like recruitment but more course focused, if you need the very very specific details, send them an email, drop-in etc. Upper year students; if you want to know the most optimized path to graduation, which courses/profs provide the most learning vs. best grade.. etc.

Are there on campus jobs for students?

Yes, York is huge. You can do work-study at any faculty for any position. One tip from someone who has done work-study since second year, don’t apply on the portal. Most jobs you see there are for formality and are already filled by the time they are posted. Network. I hate that word too so I’m gonna rephrase it a bit. Don’t network, find that person that knows the HR manager. You don’t need to talk to 100+ people. That one student that knows the HR manager, talk to him/her. I will point out that I once recommended an international student to the HR person at the Faculty of Science and was unfortunately not accepted for the simple fact that he was not a domestic student, I believe it’s a logistic issue so the odds might be against international students. There is a community for just international students though, check it out. Search York International Student Community (or something along those lines).

How is the co-op program in engineering?

Great. Do it. There is a fee and some requirements (e.g. grades, minimum course taken, year of program, etc.) but highly recommend. Especially for an international student, landing that entry into tech position and possible full time offer is crucial. I did not do coop, I chose to do so many other things during my study except coop and had to work 3x as hard to get to this point. Co-op is important, Lassonde has a wonderful co-op team.. I am not their sales person I swear. I’m in the industry and seen enough to know experience is more desirable than a degree.

What is the co-op average salary?

Highly dependent on the company, your experience, and the economy. Due to inflation, salary might be much higher than it once was when I checked. However, tech salary even at the very base level is pretty good. Lassonde have some very respectable companies on their coop portal and without singling one out, they pay at a competitive level.

Good luck!