Adrian Hutcheson is a third-year Bachelor of Commerce student majoring in Finance. He completed his last two co-op work terms at TD Securities on the Institutional Money Market desk, and he is returning to TD Securities this summer to be a part of their Sales and Trading Associate Program. Through his exemplary work term performance, academic achievements, and leadership, he has earned the title of Management Career Services’ Co-op Student of the Year.

“One of my biggest takeaways from my co-op placements is the incredible value that employers and co-workers place on your ability to fit into a team without conflict. Many first year students are worried that their first co-op will involve work that they are not prepared for, but the reality is that most employers will have a pretty clear picture of what capabilities second year students have, and are willing to help teach things that students might now know. In this light, it’s far more important to be an active listener and quick learner than to have every skill necessary on the first day of work. From there, your success will lie in your ability to work cohesively with your team. Through my experience, and in talking to many other students, I have realized that most students who were re-hired to their job had both professional and personal connections with their co-workers and supervisors.

My biggest piece of advice for all students in the Bachelor of Commerce Co-op Program is to be involved in as many activities outside of class as possible. In my first year I joined DALIS (Dalhousie Investment Society) and JDCC (Jeux de Commerce Central).  I also competed in case competitions like the First Year Case Competition, Atlantic Throwdown, and Crandall University Business Case Competition. Not only do these clubs and competitions look amazing on a resume, but they also give you the real life skills that will help you succeed in a professional setting. Make sure to highlight these accomplishments and commitments in your resume because they set you apart from the competition. As students, we have access to so many clubs, so everyone should be able to join one that interests them and ultimately teaches them about their industry of preference.

My involvement in DALIS gave me an incredible platform to expand my knowledge of the Capital Markets, and gave me an opportunity to meet upper year students who are working on trading floors full-time after graduation. There is really no substitute for having successful connections, and many of those connections can be made with students who are in their third and fourth years. If you get involved, connect with as many people as you can, and make sure that you can be a team player in your co-op, you will be successful during your time at Dalhousie!”

As Adrian prepares to join TD Securities for his third co-op this summer, we wish him the best of luck in continuing to achieve his professional goals.  Congratulations, Adrian!