is your co-curricular record really anything important? does it mean anything really special in comparison with just doing curricular outside of uoft?
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hey there,
the co-curricular record is kinda weird because it’s REALLY NEW, so it’s hard to say yet how it’s gonna work in the real world. however:
the point of the co-curricular record is that the university can verify the legitimacy of certain things you do, which is pretty cool. like, for example, i could put on my resume, “sasses people online for the university of toronto,” but it just feels like it would have more clout if it said “askastudent” on a university-verified document. employers would probably take me more seriously.
as the university puts it, having your university involvement officially documented is an “awesome opportunity.”
on the other hand, is it absolutely vital? i don’t think so. maybe, as it gains more popularity and more and more schools start doing it too, you’ll have a leg-up on people who don’t have it. but, especially right now, i don’t think that doing extra-curricular work outside of uoft is worse because it’s not within the university, or that an activity in school is somehow not valid because it can’t be put on your co-curricular (remember, not everything at uoft is eligible to be on your co-curricular record). references and resumes are still the main venue for employers to make judgements about people.
however, the CCR is not just a document that supplements your CV. it’s also part of a database of activities and opportunities available on campus, which is pretty helpful. no need to traipse across campus to dilapidated houses looking for this or that club. you can search and discover all in one place online.
so basically, it’s a pretty cool thing and worth looking into. but if you don’t have the time, you’re okay.
cheers,
aska