Meet Malcolm Scott, a fifth-year Operations Management major and this year's President of the Cooperative Education Students' Association (CESA). 

"Wondering why I joined CESA? Well, my co-op coordinator suggested getting more involved on campus, and CESA seemed like the perfect fit. I wanted to help students going through situations similar to mine."

What interested Malcolm in joining the Co-op Program?

During the week of welcome orientation, Malcolm's campus tour guide turned out to be a business co-op student, who introduced him to the Program, leading Malcolm to eagerly apply at the end of his first year. From there, co-op allowed him to develop his transferable and technical skills that are critical as a business student, as well as how to write a resume, prepare for an interview, and more!

What was Malcolm’s recruitment process like?

Starting his second year, with limited experience and connections, he applied to over 50 positions but was unsuccessful. Undeterred, Malcolm, taking the advice of his co-op coordinator, rebounded by redirecting his energy into campus involvement, joining clubs like CESA.

Armed with newfound experiences and connections, Malcolm relaunched his job search at the start of his third year with the odds were much more in his favour. He secured an 8-month co-op work term as a Data Analyst Intern at Solution 105 Consulting LTD. He felt a  compelling cover letter mentioning a connection he had made with someone in the company set him apart. Not too long after, Malcolm landed his next co-op position as a Business Intelligence Analyst at KAG Canada, where he still works part-time. 

“The journey was tough, but those twists and turns led me to some incredible opportunities!”

What did you learn about yourself while in your co-op work term?

"I wanted to be a consultant. I thought it was the dream, but I found out it wasn't for me. I realized that I need to have something tangible, where I get to see the end result, not just write a report on how to get there. That's why I really enjoy working at KAG Canada, where I get to see the results of my efforts, and if it weren't for Co-op, I wouldn't have come to that realization."

How did co-op align with your academic and career goals?

"My co-op work terms weren't just jobs; they were a hands-on extension of my OM classes, giving life to the theories I'd learned in the classroom. As someone who dreams of owning my own business one day, the Business Co-op Program allowed me to get a taste of businesses of all sizes, from start-ups to large corporations, and figure out where I fit in and where I see myself heading."

What unexpected challenges did you face during your co-op work terms?

“Interpersonal communication was my biggest challenge and biggest win. You have to learn how to be a good communicator, especially when working with so many different kinds of people and areas of business. It can be difficult at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s smooth sailing!”

What advice would you give to new co-op students or those considering joining the program?

"Don't stress about finishing your degree in four years! I took five, and it was the best decision for me. I gained a ton of different experiences and opportunities" and "When it comes to co-op, connect with your coordinator. Get to know them not just on a professional level, but as a person."

In a sea of enticing job opportunities, Daniel caught the perfect role for him! Daniel Sune, a 4th-year newly declared Marketing major, decided to take a chance that helped him secure his first co-op position as the inaugural Work and Integrated Learning Intern for the CWIL office in the Alberta School of Business!

What interested Daniel about joining the Co-op Program?

"Co-op has always been on my radar. What intrigued me the most was the idea of opportunities that I didn't even know existed, and I knew Co-op would help me get my foot in the door to finding a career and learning what I want to do." 

Like many students straight out of high school, Daniel grappled with uncertainty about his academic path. With a vague inclination toward Business, he landed on majoring in Business Studies. It wasn't until his first co-op position that he "finally pulled the trigger" and solidified his decision to major in Marketing, and hasn't looked back since! 

What led Daniel to apply to the co-op positions he secured?

Freshly admitted to the Co-op Program, Daniel occasionally browsed Career Connect, applying for roles here and there. One day, while walking to class, Daniel received a call from an unknown number. Hesitant to answer, he picked up the call and was greeted with congratulations on successfully landing an interview. Before he knew it, he was heading towards the CWIL office in the Alberta School of Business, stepping into his new role as the first-ever Work and Integrated Learning Intern! Pioneering his way through this position, Daniel has spearheaded different projects, trying to find easier ways for other students to navigate their way while in the Co-op Program. He’s been collecting and organizing data, introducing data visualization tools, and creating a bi-weekly enewsletter for co-op students about upcoming employer events, job opportunities, and much more!

What did Daniel learn about himself while on his co-op work term? 

Like forming a good study routine, Daniel figured out a workflow that maximized his productivity. Over time he learned how to effectively prioritize his tasks and handle any roadblocks, all while managing to take breaks to rejuvenate his energy. 

What was an unexpected challenge he’s had to overcome?

Sometimes all we need is a nudge in the right direction to help us push out of our comfort zones. Daniel explains he's "not a very outspoken person by nature," but this co-op position has allowed him to break out of his shell. The communication element of his role was "definitely challenging at first," however, over time he’s learned how to come across as an effective writer and enhanced his interpersonal relationship skills both in and outside of the workplace. 

What advice would Daniel give to new co-op students or those considering joining the program?

“To those considering joining co-op, I highly encourage you to! It makes finding a job so much easier than if you were on your own.” 

and

“I encourage other co-op students to jump at opportunities for work, whether that is applying for any kind of position that they're interested in, or within their current co-op work term, and being willing to take on any projects or assignments that come along as good learning opportunities.”

Hoping to work in business since he was a kid, his childhood dreams slowly became a reality. Reese Au, a 4th year Accounting major began his job hunting process as a student in the Fall of 2022 and, in the very next semester, gained the title of Assurance Associate at PwC! 

What interested Reese about joining the Co-op program?

Inspired by his friends in Engineering along with the encouragement from his dad, Reese applied to co-op as a means to explore how he could utilize his classroom knowledge in a real world setting, and is grateful that he did. 

What led him apply to the Co-op positions he secured?

While attending a ‘Big 4’ CPA Panel event, Reese was captivated by the stories shared by CPAs about their time in Accounting. Among them, Reese found himself resonating with PwC’s’s core values. Eager to explore this further, Reese researched PwC and began connecting with professionals within the company. His networking efforts proved worthwhile, and he soon earned the title of Assurance Associate at PwC, landing an 8-month co-op position! He spent his days working in the Asset and Wealth Management sector, diligently working to help prevent material misstatement, detect fraud, and provide assurance to stakeholders. 

What did Reese learn about himself during his work term? 

“I’ve learned that I like being in challenging environments—ones that I can adapt to, as they give me something to consistently improve on. I need to be in an environment that’s constantly changing, and find myself enjoying taking on more responsibility.”

What was Reese's favorite workplace memory?

Reese remembers a cherished memory of the time where he attended the Connect’23 Conference in Calgary. There he got the privilege of meeting some incredible individuals within PwC. Apart from having the opportunity to listen to others' experiences within the company, he enjoyed watching others showcase their incredible karaoke skills, and looked forward to attending more team building events in the future. 

How did co-op align with Reese's academic and career goals?

“As an accounting major with a finance minor, my co-op position aligned perfectly with my professional aspirations. During my co-op term, I worked in the asset wealth management sector, where my primary focus was auditing diverse investment portfolios. This experience allowed me to leverage the knowledge I gained in my accounting and finance classes, providing me with a deep understanding of how to handle and assess different investments and financial assets, and ultimately reinforcing my passion for both. 

What advice would Reese give to new co-op students or those considering joining the program? 

“When selecting co-op positions, it's crucial to find a workplace that aligns with your career goals and future aspirations. To determine this, take a proactive approach during your job search and delve into the qualities and values of potential employers. Discover what genuinely interests you and where you can apply your skillset to gain practical knowledge, develop crucial skills, and build a strong career foundation. Lastly, embrace stepping out of your comfort zone and take on new challenges."

With an ambitious mindset and approach to life, Mahek Co-op's story illustrates her unwavering determination to forge her own path to achieve her goals. Mahek Seth, a 5th-year Finance student, shares the tumultuous journey that allowed her to land her first Co-op position at Deloitte, Vancouver as a Tax Analyst.

We asked Mahek what interested her about joining the Co-op program.

As an international student from India, Mahek had limited experience and knowledge regarding entering the Finance industry in Canada. She recognized the value of the support of a Co-op coordinator, including obtaining access to resources, getting connected with employers, and helping to navigate Canadian work environments. 

We asked Mahek what led her to apply to her Co-op work terms and about her workplace experience. 

From the beginning of her job search, Mahek had only one goal—to find a job in Finance, particularly one in one of the top finance or accounting firms. Senior students and employers she previously networked with advised her to submit numerous job applications, but Mahek decided to chart her own course. She focused on quality over quantity and eventually secured an 8-month co-op position at Deloitte as a Tax Analyst. Although it wasn't specifically a finance-focused position, she knew that taking on an accounting role would be foundationally beneficial to her career, especially when working for a company like Deloitte. Mahek knew she would be able to gain visibility within the business community and the exposure to grow professionally and personally. 

What did Mahek learn about herself while on her co-op placements?

She noticed herself flourishing when working in a team environment and prioritizing work-life balance. Her work ethic and personality enabled her to thrive in fast-paced environments which resulted in her pursuit of working with the finance advisory team. From there she not only developed valuable leadership skills, including hosting corporate events, but also fulfilled her initial goal of gaining experience in Finance.

We asked Mahek what she has learned about the Canadian workplace culture that she finds different from her country of origin?

Canadian workplace culture, from her experience, tends to be incredibly inclusive with a diverse set of employees. They emphasize the importance of work-life balance and healthy work environments, where Mahek said she always felt that her voice was heard and treated like an equal. 

When asked, what advice would she give to new Co-op students or those considering joining the program?

“Get inspiration but pave your own path. There is no one way of doing things or reaching a goal. The key is to seek growth and prepare yourself for the opportunities that will take you to the next level." and “Don’t hesitate to ask for help. Everybody is willing to help you succeed even if they are strangers to you.” 

Although Annie Tan completed a degree in Finance and took part in the Co-op program, with work terms at IMPAPER and AltaML, her trajectory was far from linear. Following encouragement from ASoB Alumni and a desire to gain professional experience, Annie took a chance and opened herself up to unexpected opportunities that ultimately led her to learn more about herself. Primarily applying to Finance opportunities with the odd Accounting and HR roles, she took a chance and secured her first internship as a Marketing Operations and Growth Intern at IMPAPER, a position she learned a lot from and extended to a part-time position. Continuing on the trend of learning, Annie went on to her third Co-op term with AltaML, an AI/ML technology company.

We asked Annie what interested her about joining the Co-op program.

She first heard about Co-op from ASoB Alumni who had gone through the program and recommended it. Initially, she wasn’t sure if she had the credits she needed to apply, but a quick meeting with the CWIL office confirmed she met the criteria. With 3 days left to the application deadline, she applied immediately and got in! She knew she would have to take the lead on securing Co-op terms herself. However, she appreciated her Co-op Coordinator’s guidance.

We asked Annie what led her to apply to her Co-op work terms and about her workplace experience. 

Annie began applying for Co-op terms early on in the process. However, she felt she didn’t have enough work experience to compete for Finance roles and focused on other areas of her major instead. Through her job search, she found IMPAPER, a social enterprise in the paper-goods industry, and enjoyed the social impact of the company while allowing her to expand her horizons in Marketing. 

Taking on the remote role of Marketing Operations Growth Intern at IMPAPER, Annie learned a lot about smaller businesses' challenges. Through her first term, Annie was responsible for B2B outreach, helping with operations, creating campaigns, logistics, and quantitative data compiling. Annie chose to extend her internship into a second work term. With her finance background, flexibility in her role and IMPAPER being a smaller business, her responsibilities extended into finance, allowing her to take on additional financial tasks. Overall, she enjoyed watching a small business grow, the entrepreneurial spirit, and being a part of a friendly office culture. 

After getting a taste for Marketing, she learned Finance wasn’t the right fit upon returning to a year of classes. With this personal insight, Annie continued her final Co-op job search with marketing and business analysis in mind, before finding a great fit at AltaML and declining a Finance related role in the process. 

Through her third and final Co-op term at AltaML, Annie learned about consulting, project management and helping create solutions for other businesses. She gained experience in conducting industry research and explored innovative ways to generate value by measuring it through KPIs. She also had the ability to expand her knowledge by learning and working on projects in new industries. In all, she learned her passion for quantitative work and analysis with creative problem solving, thus tying in her finance background.

We asked Annie what she learned about herself while on her Co-op work terms.

In short, Annie learned about career exploration. Having veered from her initial path in Finance, she found her passion for having a strong balance of creative and quantitative work and challenging herself in new industries.

We asked Annie what workplace accomplishment or skill she is most proud of.

Thanks to her diverse work experience, she is proud to have developed strong communication skills. Initially, she looked to improve her professional communication. However, with prolonged exposure to new projects and working alongside collaborative teams, she gained a greater ability to put her skills into practice. 

When asked, what advice would she give to new Co-op students or those considering joining the program?

“Don’t be afraid to reach out to those around you for help and utilize the resources available to Co-op students” and to "try out roles you didn’t expect to see yourself in, you learn so much about yourself through work experience.”

A piece of advice that Business Co-op student, Holly Bilinski, has for new co-op students is “don’t be afraid to take risks”. Holly finds that “some of the best opportunities come from outside of your comfort zone”. Her journey into co-op is a great example of just that. Holly worked for a small tech company located in the hamlet of Villeneuve called Pegasus for her three work terms. While her position may be considered unconventional, she was able to take on multiple responsibilities from providing accounting and administrative support to eventually taking on a leadership role as Key Account Manager for Emergency Management for the company. 

Holly initially applied for co-op “to get a jumpstart on professional experience while completing [her] degree”. As a major in Natural Resources, Energy and the Environment, Holly was not looking for what might be considered a traditional business job. But during her job search, she found what turned into a great fit at Pegasus. Pegasus uses aerospace technology like drones to gather environmental data to aid governments and industry in decision making. Their technology has been used to help detect early wildfires, and track and monitor species in a non-invasive manner. 

Holly is proud to have been a part of a company that is taking action in addressing climate change. One of her most satisfying accomplishments has been her role in helping Pegasus receive a multi-million dollar grant from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC). She was a part of the grant writing team and helped in the application process from start to finish and was integral to its success. 

Her co-op experience with Pegasus  has inspired Holly to work towards reaching a senior leadership position. As a manager in the company, she enjoyed exploring the responsibilities associated with leadership, an opportunity she believes she would not have gotten this early if she was not in co-op. When asked about what advice she would give to students interested in pursuing co-op she had this to say:

“To prospective co-op students, joining the co-op program has been the best decision I have made towards advancing my personal and professional development.”

Through the Co-Operative Education program, accounting student Red Enorme has had the opportunity to boost his resume and define his career goals — all while studying. Through work accounting experiences at both Kingston Ross Pasnak (KRP) and Deloitte, he’s gained a wealth of knowledge.

“At KRP and Deloitte, I was responsible for preparing compilations, reviews, and audit engagements, as well as personal and corporate tax returns, which allowed me to learn about the different kinds of businesses and industries that the firms provide services to,” he said of his experiences. “Because I was constantly learning and taking on new challenges, my co-op experience has opened a lot of doors for me.”

When asked what made the Co-op program worth it, he said “...being able to take on a variety of projects and tasks on my work terms and having that hands-on experience allowed me to define my career path and set personal and professional goals for myself in the short term and long term.”

For BCom Finance student Hanna Luu, the Cooperative Education program has reaffirmed that she is on the right academic path.

“I think being in the Co-op program gives a substantial meaning to why I chose to pursue the finance field in the first place,” she said. “Co-op is all about the experience and what it feels like to work in the area you're interested in, and that's exactly what I get.”

Her first Co-op placement was with world-renowned AstraZeneca Canada, where she was a procurement and finance intern during the summer of 2021. During the Fall and Winter of 2021-2022, she worked at the City of Edmonton as a business analyst Co-op student.

“It was a humbling yet memorable experience to be a part of an amazing team [at AstraZeneca] and working diligently behind the success of a multinational pharmaceutical, especially amidst a pandemic,” said Hanna. “For my second Co-op, I had the chance to learn about the workings of a public municipality like the City of Edmonton and contribute my skills and knowledge to analyzing Business problems facing the city.”

Before finishing her final year at the U of A, Hanna will be joining the Alberta Investments Management Corporation (AIMCo) as a business technology, derivatives operations summer student.

“This is an experience that I'm particularly excited about since I have been interested in learning about this type of financial instrument ever since I've been interested in finance itself,” Hanna said of her placement with AIMCo. “If it weren't for the Co-op program and the insightful and honest, professional career advice from my Co-op advisor, all this experience would be absent from my university years.”

When asked what advice she would give to a student considering the program, here is what Hanna had to say:

“If I were to give a tiny bit of advice to prospective Co-op students, I'd say it's really important to diversify your network and portfolio of experience. We never know where the future might take us, so treasure your connections and don't be afraid to reach out to people leading the job of your dream.”

Muneeb Ahsan’s post-secondary journey has been anything but conventional. Despite changing three majors, two degrees and three cities since joining the University of Alberta, the Alberta School of Business bachelor of commerce student said joining the Cooperative Education Program has been the most exciting and rewarding experience yet. Muneeb said the program allows you to be “comfortable being uncomfortable,” relating real-life experiences to classroom settings.

Here’s what he has to say about his Co-op experience:

Being a co-op student at Enbridge has allowed me to understand the information technology industry, consulting sector and the inner workings of an energy company — all while having the opportunity to be part of projects which would impact millions of people. I had the opportunity to lead a team of 30 Co-op students in a collaborative, silo-busting and skill-building data labeling pilot program at the Technology + Innovation Lab which increased the overall process efficiency by 80 per cent by training a machine learning model using Artificial Intelligence. During this time, I also won the Co-op Student of the Year Award and got more involved at the School of Business as a digital consultant and teaching assistant.