Originally from Jordan, Hatem Sinan is a fourth-year Bachelor of Commerce Co-op student, majoring in Accounting. “I chose Dalhousie due to its excellent reputation in my field of study and its co-op program, which provides an opportunity to gain hands-on experience, connect with industry professionals, and build a professional network.”

Despite challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, Hatem was able to secure his first co-op position by researching potential employers early. This led him to the opportunity to work at Ernst & Young in Dubai as an Audit Intern. Soon after, he joined PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), completing his second and third co-op positions in their Halifax office. During his time at PwC, Hatem worked with the external Audit team as well as the Assurance team, which helped him develop necessary professional communication skills, employing efforts across various departments. “I learned to apply close attention to detail and develop strong communication skills while working with partners in the Halifax office, allowing me to excel at meeting multiple project deadlines.”

Hatem attributes his understanding of different financial industries to the mandatory co-op program. “Working with different industries, such as financial services, mining, and construction, provided me with a broader perspective and opened up new opportunities for career growth and advancement.”

When searching for positions to apply to, Hatem focused on employing various research methods. “To increase my chances of success, I utilized multiple job search strategies and customized my approach to each opportunity.” Hatem researched potential employers and created a list of companies that aligned with his interests and career goals. Not only did this allow him to expand his knowledge of prospective companies, but it allowed him to explore like-minded values. Taking advantage of events hosted by Management Career Services, he also attended numerous career fairs and networking events to expand his professional network.

With his early stemmed interest in accounting and his confidence gained through his co-op positions, Hatem aspires to gain employment in the accounting field here in Halifax after graduation. “Halifax’s diverse economy has a strong demand for accounting services, making it an ideal place for me to pursue my career aspirations. Reflecting on my co-op experiences, I am grateful for the opportunity to develop my skills and gain valuable experience.”