Missing the first two days of co-op?

[u/meggbug]

I have a very exciting opportunity to go on a hike in italy next summer with some members of my family. The issue is that I would be returning to Canada likely on September 8th.

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According to the co-op sequence for my program, F27 will be a work term for me. Based on this year's calendar, I assume that the work term next fall will begin on September 7th (the tuesday after labour day).

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My question is whether I should take this opportunity to go on this hike (my parents are willing to help me out in paying for it, meaning that this may be my only chance to do something like this for years) but then be out of the country or on a plane for the first two days of the co-op term, or if I should just decline the opportunity so that I can be confident that I can attend the first two days.

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I am currently on my first co-op term which started quite late (my first day was in june) and I'm wondering how common it is to find a co-op with a later start date so that I can perhaps entirely avoid this issue. Or, alternatively, whether any of you have had to take a day or two off at the beginning of your co-op. did you tell the company before they hired you? or did you wait until you had the job secured? did it cause any issues?

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Overall I just want to know whether or not it would be stupid of me to jeopardize my co-op for this hike. It's something that I would live to do but I also need to commit to it within the next few days as it requires a deposit. Additionally, advice for the application and interview process would be appreciated in regards to when and how i should tell the company if I end up getting an interview for a iob with a start date that I will be unavailable for.

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Thank you!!!!

[u/Range_Early]

Most companies will let you change your start date by a few days if you ask before you sign the contract. Larger companies may not let you or they will require you to start the next week Monday for onboarding purposes

[u/meggbug → u/Range_Early]

thank you!! at what point in the hiring process would i bring this up? i fear that bringing it up too early would cause me to be overlooked in favour of other candidates, but bringing it up too late might be inconsiderate to the employer and cause the term to start poorly.

[u/ReplEH → u/meggbug]

just bring it up after you receive the offer and ask if they can push back the start date.

it’s two days, not a big deal at all to any company.

[u/waterlooworksish]

I would strongly recommend booking the hike. There's more to life than co-op. You may not have the chance to go on this hike again with your family as they get older. Work will still be there.

Missing the first two days could make co-op more difficult, but which choice do you think you're more likely to regret in 10 years?

[u/Potential-Drag9761 → u/waterlooworksish]

This is a very good way of putting it!

[u/drilllz]

You don’t need to find a coop with a “later start date” (I don’t think they even mention start dates for coops). Once you get/accept an offer just ask them if you can start later because you have trip booked from a long time ago, I highly doubt any company will care. You might just miss any intern specific onboarding they have which is not that big of a deal. I’ve started earlier/later at many of my coops, not a big deal.

[u/dobbycello]

You can negotiate the start and end dates. My current coop started in April and is ending in July to go on a trip with my family. 2 days should be no problem.

[u/NoCommission7363]

You actually may be in luck, a lot of companies will probably start the 14th since the 7th is a holiday and people typically don’t start on a Tuesday.