Sophie Charron is a fourth-year Bachelor of Commerce Co-op student majoring in Accounting. Born in Philadelphia and raised in Toronto, Sophie was drawn to Dalhousie after hearing about her sister’s positive experience here. With a strong interest in business that began in high school, the Commerce Co-op program felt like the right choice. “Once I started, I discovered that I especially enjoyed accounting, which made this program the right fit for me.”

Sophie’s co-op journey began in winter 2024 with Marsh Canada, where she worked as a Captive Associate. The role introduced her to the world of corporate accounting in a supportive environment. “The structured training program eased me into the role and made me more confident. By the second month, I felt comfortable with my responsibilities and really enjoyed the work.”

For her second co-op, Sophie took the initiative to self-develop her role with CuBE Packaging Solutions, where she joined the team as a Junior Financial Analyst. “This role gave me daily tasks that challenged me and allowed me to discover what I most enjoyed in the industry. I worked closely with the finance and accounting team, which helped me strengthen and expand many of my technical skills.” Reflecting on her experience, she highlights the importance of relationship-building when it comes to self-developing a meaningful co-op. “Networking is key. It’s often the best way to get your foot in the door. At the same time, you need to show initiative and enthusiasm when pitching yourself, so employers see why you’re worth the opportunity.”

Her third and final co-op took place this past summer, where she worked at Vertu Capital in Toronto as a Summer Analyst. “My role focused on accounting support for the team, where I gained hands-on experience with financial reporting,” she explains. “It was a really rewarding experience and definitely helped strengthen my understanding of accounting within a private equity environment.”

Sophie shares the most valuable advice she received during her co-op journey. “One of the best pieces of advice I received was the importance of having coffee chats. Now that I’ve finished my final co-op, I fully agree!” Coffee chats were more than a networking tool, they were a way to stay proactive and open to new opportunities. “I plan to continue scheduling coffee chats during my last year at Dalhousie. I also plan to carry this practice into my career to keep learning and building connections.”

Her proactive approach has already paid off. Sophie has recently accepted a full-time role as an Audit Accountant with KPMG starting in September 2026. Her experience is an example of how co-op can be more than just work experience, it’s a stepping stone to career growth, personal development, and long-term success.