Growing up just outside Halifax in Head of St. Margaret’s Bay, Sidney Schwartz always imagined building a career in business. Now in her third year of the Bachelor of Commerce Co-op program, majoring in Marketing with a Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, she is beginning to turn that vision into reality through hands-on experience. The program’s co-op structure was a major factor in her decision to attend Dal, as it offered the opportunity to gain work experience within the typical four-year degree timeline.

Sidney’s work terms have allowed her to explore different sides of the marketing world. Her first role with Bulwark Cider in winter 2025 placed her directly in front of customers as a Sales and Marketing Assistant. Walking into her first large-scale tasting event was unforgettable. “The energy of the event was incredible.” Being responsible for presenting the brand at such a large event pushed her outside her comfort zone and strengthened her confidence speaking with customers.

Her second work term at Verge Marketing introduced her to the fast-paced environment of digital marketing agencies. As an Account Coordinator, Sidney worked on content creation, copywriting, and supporting multiple client accounts. One of her most impactful tasks was producing a detailed weekly flyer for a client, a project that required consistency and careful attention to detail. “I needed to slow down, double-check my work, and prioritize accuracy over speed.” This experience reinforced the importance of patience and quality control in professional work.

Working at Verge also offered Sidney the chance to learn from strong women leaders early in her career. Watching the team balance creativity, teamwork, and productivity reshaped how she thinks about leadership. “Success doesn’t have to affect the culture in the workplace. You can work hard, be supportive to one another, while still having fun throughout the process.” In particular, seeing the company’s founder build and lead her business strengthened Sidney’s own entrepreneurial ambitions. “Seeing her navigate the challenges that come with entrepreneurship with confidence, resilience, and an overall optimistic outlook is inspiring.”

Sidney’s job search journey reinforced the importance of persistence and connection. Early on, she applied consistently on myCareer and learned that setbacks are part of the process. Consistency became her most important takeaway from this process. “Ensuring to apply to numerous positions helped me stay on top of my job search and ultimately led to my first co-op.” Networking also played a role in opening doors. Through a local golf group, she had the opportunity to meet Verge’s CEO and share her interest in marketing. That connection eventually led to her second work term. “Networking doesn’t always have to happen in a formal setting; sometimes it grows through shared communities and genuine conversations.”

Looking ahead to her final co-op, Sidney hopes to return to Verge Marketing to continue developing her skills in digital strategy, content development, and client management. The experience confirmed the direction she wants to pursue long-term. Just as importantly, it showed her what a supportive and creative workplace can look like. “Being surrounded by a group of women that uplift one another, show true authenticity, and constantly perform with a strong work ethic has all strengthened my belief that I can pursue ambitious goals and create a meaningful career in digital marketing.”