Second-year Bachelor of Commerce Co-op student Katherine Fontana is currently working for global streaming service Netflix for her first co-op. She is planning to declare a major in finance after developing an interest in financial markets through the Dalhousie Investment Society. Originally from Oakville, Ontario, Katherine was intrigued by Dalhousie’s nationwide reputation and wanted to experience the east coast lifestyle.

In her role of Assistant Trainee Accountant for Netflix, Katherine’s daily tasks include printing vendor invoices and purchase orders from the previous day, auditing petty cash statements from various departments, and collecting and organizing crew gas receipts for Netflix’s sustainability program. “My role in the office is very important to the daily operations of the accounting department, as many of my duties begin the cycle of the various steps towards completion,” she says.

As you would expect from a big corporation like Netflix, the environment is very fast paced. Her biggest accomplishment so far has been her ability to adapt to this environment and learn information quickly to be successful in her role. Katherine has been working in person, getting multiple opportunities to connect with fellow colleagues and gain confidence and organizational skills. “I am grateful for the opportunity and skill development this co-op has provided me so far, and I look forward to the rest of the term,” she says.

Katherine took advantage of the many resources available through Management Career Services (MCS) to help secure her co-op with Netflix. “I was able to apply the skills learned through MCS into my job search. This enabled me to find a co-op that provided me with the opportunity to build on my career interests.”

Katherine’s advice for you:

• It is never too early to start looking for a co-op. The earlier you begin your job search, the more tailored your co-op can be to your career path interests.
• Don’t be afraid to reach out. If you are not sure what you are interested in, read up on different careers, different companies, and reach out to those individuals who may be able to provide you with insight into their career paths and aspirations.
• Set goals for your next co-op, but do not lose sleep over it.

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