Co-operative education students in folklore can provide employers with support in the areas of: cultural documentation (recording audio/video), festivals and/or public events, culture and economic development, traditional crafts and performances, marketing and communications, tourism, archiving, curating. Students study a wide range of subjects including music, dance, folk drama, legend and tale, vernacular architecture, traditional health systems, material culture, belief, as well as customs related to work, leisure, childhood, family and community.
Work assignments vary from unstructured situations where students work toward objectives and deadlines, to positions with tasks and procedures that are well defined. Co-operative Education Co-ordinators can advise in structuring work terms and job descriptions to meet both student and employer needs. Such assignments could include working in the areas of radio, television, media, film, festival planning, script assistance, entertainment and educational institutions. Employers are encouraged to challenge students in order to optimize both learning and employer benefits.
To develop further skills in time and project management as well as communications, students are required to complete a work report that is evaluated by the university. The use of employer facilities and allocation of time to the student for the report is at the discretion of the employer. Specific steps can be taken to protect confidentiality where required.