Co-op Student Ambassador Program

5th year B.Sc. & B.Mgmt in Computer Science & General Management

What specific skills have you developed throughout Co-op?

• hands-on experience with Azure, C#.NET, and various tools within the Microsoft ecosystem, contributing to large-scale applications.

This exposure has strengthened my technical abilities and problem-solving skills.

How has Co-op impacted your education or helped you gain clarity about your career aspirations?

The Co-op program has allowed me to apply classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios. It’s been a pivotal part of my growth, helping me transition from theory to practical development, and sharpening my focus on future career goals.

My ultimate goal is to become a tech lead, and Co-op has been instrumental in building a solid foundation. My time as a Software Developer Intern at Arcurve Inc. gave me invaluable insights into leadership, project management, and collaboration within a tech team. These experiences are helping me work toward my goal with confidence.

4^th year Bachelor of Science majoring in Physics

What specific skills have you developed throughout Co-op?

• Time management in a fast-paced environment
• Professional communication across departments
• Data collection, tracking, and analysis
• Team leadership and collaboration
• Adaptability and problem-solving
• Professional growth in large-scale organizational settings 

How has Co-op impacted your education or helped you gain clarity about your career aspirations?

My co-op has been one of the most valuable experiences of my degree. It gave me the chance to apply the problem-solving mindset from physics to real-world situations and showed me how adaptable my skills can be. It also gave me a clearer sense of direction, helping me connect what I learn in the classroom to where I want to go in my career.

My co-op confirmed for me that I want to continue building my career with the company I worked for. I am returning for another term, which will allow me to strengthen the foundation I’ve built and take on new responsibilities. Looking ahead, I see my co-op as a steppingstone toward long-term growth with the company, where I can continue to expand my leadership skills, deepen my technical knowledge, and contribute to meaningful projects. The opportunity to return also gives me the chance to grow alongside the organization, gaining the kind of experience and mentorship that will shape my future career path.

2^nd year Bachelor of Science majoring in Neuroscience

Being a research assistant in a wet lab gave me an opportunity to fine-tune my lab skills. This included things like:

• plate streaking
• making media
• DNA extraction and PCR
• running different lab equipment
• creating inventory spreadsheets
• methodical procedures like crystal violet assay

Getting to work on a project that was still in planning stages was also a unique opportunity because I was able to research certain unknowns like materials or techniques and contribute ideas and suggestions.

How has Co-op impacted your education or helped you gain clarity about your career aspirations?

The biggest takeaways for me in terms of education was developing many lab skills that go beyond what I’ve learned so far in teaching labs; learning a lot about microbiology, animal health, academic writing, and research methods; developing personal assets such as problem solving, communication, and time management; and getting super cool opportunities that I never thought I would have this early in my education. 

My goal is to go to vet school after my undergrad, so being a research intern was a unique and foundational experience to help me achieve that goal. There are so many aspects of microbiology that pertain to veterinary medicine. Besides the obvious being that large animals contract E. Coli and other bacterial infections, there are other similarities including biosafety and sterility measures.

3^rd year Bachelor of Management majoring in Accounting

What specific skills have you developed throughout Co-op?

• Preparation of tax returns for individuals, self-employed, or businesses
• Meeting deadlines by staying organized and strategic planning
• Applying accounting standards in real-world business engagements
• Drafting concise emails for communication with clients
• Participating in meetings with senior partners to gain insightful knowledge about various businesses 

How has Co-op impacted your education or helped you gain clarity about your career aspirations?

My co-op experience was a pivotal point in my academic and professional journey. It allowed me to apply classroom knowledge in real-world scenarios and gave me clarity on my career direction. Working alongside professionals on complex client engagements deepened my interest in public accounting. This helped me to understand my interests in accounting and whether I’ll be able to do this for the rest of my life. Overall, I’m grateful for my decision to take co-op as it made me confident about the career choice I am making for myself.

I aspire to embark on the journey of pursuing my CPA after I graduate. Completing a co-op significantly supported my CPA goal by giving me practical experience in a CPA-pre approved environment. The experience also helped me develop key CPA competencies, including professional judgement, ethical conduct, and effective communication. Most importantly, it gave me clarity and confidence in my decision to pursue the CPA designation, setting a strong foundation for the required practical experience component. 

3rd year Bachelor of Management - Accounting and Human Resources & Labour Relations

What specific skills have you developed throughout Co-op?

• Communication skills
• Software skills
• Time management skills

How has Co-op impacted your education or helped you gain clarity about your career aspirations?

Going on a co-op work term has made university easier. Much of what I did at work has transferred into what I learn in classes. Doing a work term has also opened a possibility of getting a job right when I gradate in two years.

My career aspiration is to be an accountant with the potential to end up in a management role. Doing a co-op has shown me that this pathway is easier to pursue than I originally thought.