Michael Hartery is a second-year Bachelor of Commerce Co-op student from Port Hawkesbury in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. “I decided to study at Dalhousie because of the school’s nationwide reputation and the Commerce program’s mandatory co-op.” Prior to university, Michael worked at a Canadian Tire. It was there he decided that he ultimately wants to own a franchise in the future.

Last spring, Michael participated in Management Career Services’ Toronto Corporate Tour. “The Toronto Corporate Tour was a no-brainer for me. I decided to attend the tour to gain insight into the corporate lifestyle and to further develop my network.” He attended the tour to gain professional connections and to see all of the possibilities available to him.

During the Corporate Tour, Michael reconnected with his previous employer, Canadian Tire, and gained insights into the company that he had not heard before. “I found that their mission statement and company values directly aligned with my ambitions. This tour helped me understand that Canadian Tire was right for me.” Michael stayed in touch with the connections he made after the event, and as a result he secured his first co-op. “Maintaining these relationships after the tour was crucial in securing this co-op as it showed the employer that I was curious about the brand itself and furthermore willing to do whatever it took.”

Michael is now underway at his first co-op, and he is looking forward to learning as much as he can. “I’m excited to bridge the gap between the classroom and the workplace. This co-op will help me understand the classroom material more profoundly and see its direct applicability.”

As networking was an important part of Michael’s job search, he shares his advice for his student peers. “Networking is intimidating for almost everyone when starting out. Although stressful at times, it is crucial that you can network, as it is half of the battle when trying to secure future positions,” he says. “It also isn’t just about securing that first co-op, it’s about expanding your knowledge and having it at your disposal after solidifying these connections.”

Here are Michael’s networking tips:

• Let networking be natural.
• Concentrate on the fields that pique your interest.
• Show your new connections that you have an interest in the advice they are about to share.