Karen Mutyabule is a third-year Bachelor of Commerce Co-op student from Uganda. For her first co-op work term, she worked with Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Network as a Project Coordinator. Currently, she is on her second work term at Nova Scotia Department of Energy, working as a Marketing and Business Assistant.

Having been exposed to different subject matter within the Commerce program, Karen decided to pursue the Managing People and Organizations (MPO) major. The diversity of subject matter within the major helped her to identify what type of work she enjoyed most and guided her decision on what job opportunities to pursue.

“The beauty about an MPO co-op is that the opportunities are not limited to one specific skill set. There is a myriad of career paths that one can aim at while pursuing an MPO major for example, business manager, communications officer, marketing officer, sales representative, quality control auditor etc. Depending on what you aspire to become, look critically at job descriptions and go after opportunities that will engage your current skill set and strengthen your desired skill set.”

Through her co-ops, Karen has watched and interacted with colleagues, providing her the opportunity to gain the confidence and knowledge on how to interact with people in different disciplines, higher levels of experience, and accomplishment. As a result, opportunities like attending networking events and being responsible for exhibition booths were more enjoyable as she has learned how to engage and maintain strategic and meaningful conversations.

Karen also advises students looking for their next co-op to be curious, “about opportunities in your work place that are not in your specific scope of work. Where time allows, and your supervisor approves, talk to different people in your organization about their work and see if there is an opportunity for you to help. Even if your contribution is small in that task, you will have insight into another role and impact more people in the organization other than your immediate supervisor. You will have more people that can act as a referral because they can attest to your work ethic.”

Karen has noticed that most of the MPO related positions are marketing, HR, sales or coordinator roles. Typically, skills in communication (oral, written & public speaking), organization, pro-activeness, attention to detail, and Microsoft Office are required for success in an MPO co-op.

“No matter where you go for your work term. Every experience, whether positive or negative, is shaping your future. Confidently go out into your work term and give it your best shot!”

To learn more about what it’s like to work in Managing People and Organizations (MPO), refer to the MPO industry fast sheet in the Student Resources section of myCareer, or refer to the Commerce Co-op Orientation Brightspace course content located under Module 3: Industry Information.