I also have a Waterloo Co-Op degree (biochemistry & math), and can say without a doubt that doing co-op was one of the best decisions of my early professional l

I also have a Waterloo Co-Op degree (biochemistry & math), and can say without a doubt that doing co-op was one of the best decisions of my early professional life. Many, many years later... through academia and industry jobs, and as someone who hires now, a good co-op program is a phenomenal plus to helping you figure out who you are, professionally speaking. And it lets you see where the blend between application and theory really lies, with respect to your own personal values.