In fall 2024, Management Career Services reached an incredible milestone of 20,000 business work terms for students in the Bachelor of Commerce Co-op, Bachelor of Management, and Corporate Residency MBA programs. Since 1991, these programs have produced a diverse group of alumni who have made significant contributions across industries, and their work-integrated learning experiences have set them up for success in their respective fields.

The Faculty of Management has been celebrating this milestone throughout the academic year with alumni profiles and events, and earlier this week, Robert Wooden, Director of Management Career Services, and Mike Smit, Dean of the Faculty of Management, paid a visit to High Liner Foods, which was the location of the 20,000^th work term completed in fall 2024.

Boston Foubert, a third-year Commerce Co-op student majoring in Entrepreneurship, completed his second co-op at High Liner Foods as a Purchasing Co-op Student. His supervisor, Sachin Dukhanti, Purchasing Category Specialist at High Liner Foods’ Halifax office, is new to supervising Dalhousie business students; Boston was his first.

“I helped refine an Excel master sheet that tracks the packaging materials and dimensions from each supplier. Not only has this helped me improve my Excel skills, but I’ve also enjoyed being involved in a project that will make life easier for anyone needing our packaging information,” says Boston. “It’s rewarding to contribute meaningful work as a student that remains useful for the company beyond my term.”

Since 2017, High Liner Foods has been bringing Dalhousie business students onto their team in a variety of roles, including purchasing, accounting, and supply chain.

“Thanks to sterling work by Boston on reviewing past invoices that we received from one of our vendors, he found out that this vendor was overcharging us for services rendered and we managed to claw back over $50k as rebates from this vendor,” says Sachin. “I hope this example sums up how mutually beneficial these co-op student programs can be for both parties. Boston received a great grounding into what it takes to work for a corporate company – how to engage with different peers, how to develop his business communication (written and verbal), and how to work in cross-functional teams with people many job grades higher than him (like Directors and VPs). He also figured out instinctively how to develop his ‘personal brand’ in the short amount of time that he was here, because he created great friendships and relationships and was well liked in our team and other functions.”

Boston is returning to High Liner Foods this summer to complete his third co-op with the team. “Our Purchasing Director was very keen to bring him back for another stint with us so that he can help out with more crucial projects,” says Sachin.

“Joining High Liner Foods was one of the best decisions I’ve made, and I think anybody who has the chance to take a position here should do so. There are so many opportunities in a number of different fields and you’ll be able to work with a whole cast of friendly, kind, and eager co-workers who are excited to have you with them,” says Boston.

Written by: Mara Williams

Gayle Murdoch (BComm ’04, MBA ‘06) is the Senior Vice President of Sales Effectiveness and Performance at Canada Life. She and her team work with independent advisors, offering support on contracts, compensation, as well as providing assistance with digital tools for various business needs. The foundation of her success in this career can be found in her work term experiences during her Commerce Co-op degree at Dalhousie University. Completing three co-ops during her degree allowed her to develop key skills that set her up for professional success. She would not be where she is today without those experiences.  “The best educational decision I’ve ever made was to take the co-op program at Dalhousie.”

Post-Grad Job Search

Completing co-ops as part of her degree gave Gayle a huge advantage when she began searching for her first jobs post-graduation. Having a full year of work experience gave her real-world examples to discuss in interviews, and familiarity with an office environment helped her jump into the corporate world. Being able to combine her classroom lessons with practical experience provided a huge boost when she began searching for her first full-time job after graduating. Without her work terms, Gayle’s career trajectory would not be what it is today. “Of course, the program, the profs and the admin team are amazing – but the work terms really made a difference in my career path.”

Extracurricular Involvement

As a student, Gayle was heavily involved in the Dalhousie Student Union, taking a role in organizing first-year orientation week. Alongside this, she stepped into a leadership role as a co-chair for Shinerama, a fundraising campaign for cystic fibrosis. These experiences helped enrich her time on campus and allowed her to get involved and give back to the Dalhousie community. In addition, Gayle was a board member for a few community organizations on the south shore of Nova Scotia, further enhancing her organizational and planning skills which became valuable when searching for co-ops and eventual full-time jobs. “Leading a big team of volunteers and coordinating logistics gave me experience that I could speak to in interviews and transferrable skills that I continue to use in my career.” Her community and campus involvement helped her develop a strong professional skill set even before gaining any professional work experience.

Lessons Learned on Work Term

Gayle’s co-ops allowed her to gain experience and insights into the business world that remain relevant to this day. During her work term at Murdoch Market Development, a food-related marketing company, she was given the opportunity to pitch marketing strategies and analyze business development techniques. This practical experience helped her quickly learn what leads to success and what doesn’t, and taught her the importance of moving on quickly from failures. In addition, her work terms helped her understand how crucial teamwork is. She learned the importance of being open to feedback and communicating clearly with colleagues. Being able to listen effectively and remain open to learning new things was a critical lesson Gayle learned on work term, allowing her to benefit from a team’s varied experience. “Those lessons will stay with me for the rest of my life, and I expect will continue to be very helpful.”

Continued Learning

As a professional today, Gayle is a huge advocate for continued learning. Following her undergraduate degree in Commerce, she returned to Dalhousie to complete her MBA. In the summer after her first year of graduate school, she worked at the Canadian Consulate in Los Angeles before returning to Halifax and finishing her degree, which she says was an exciting period of her life. Although she completed her MBA directly following her undergraduate degree, Gayle also sees the value in continuing your education even once you join the workforce. “Find ways to ‘go back to school’ every five years to stay fresh and engaged in learning new concepts.” Gayle has taken her own advice and participated in various programs at different educational centres and universities over the years.

In fall 2024, Management Career Services reached an incredible milestone of 20,000 business work terms for students in the Bachelor of Commerce Co-op, Bachelor of Management, and Corporate Residency MBA programs. These programs have produced a diverse group of alumni who have made significant contributions across industries. To learn more about their stories and the impact of these work-integrated learning programs, visit our website.

Written by: Mara Williams

Adam Harris (BComm ’01) is the CEO of C-Therm Technologies Ltd., a leading technology company in the field of thermal conductivity measurement. He and his team work with numerous companies to assist in the development and testing of materials for new products. Adam’s success as a business leader in this industry can be traced back to his experience at Dalhousie as a Commerce Co-op student. Completing three co-ops helped Adam stand out when entering the job market post-graduation. “This was a significant advantage when coupled with the strong fundamentals covered throughout the degree.  Practical business experience is so important – now more than ever!”

Advice for Current Students

Having been out of school and participating in the workforce for over twenty years now, Adam is well positioned to offer advice to current students who are starting to think about their post-grad careers. Reflecting on his time at Dalhousie, he recommends students focus on building their professional network, as these connections can have an impact on your life and career for years to come. Recently, he reconnected with a professor who now sits on the advisory board for Adam’s company. “If you are currently enrolled at Dal, take advantage of this opportunity to build your network with both the colleagues from your work terms and world-leading faculty at Dal.” Additionally, Adam implores students to branch out during their work terms and explore different fields. He found his passion in the intersect of business, technology, and science – so he’s a strong supporter of experiencing different industries to find your area of interest!

Impact of Work-Integrated Learning Today

The early days of C-Therm Technologies were not easy, with limited funds and skepticism from other market players. Adam’s work term experience in marketing allowed him to hit the ground running and get involved with the company. “Dal’s co-op program started me off on that long winding road. It provided me early experience in marketing and sales which is where I started in the business.” This experience provided a strong foundation that allowed Adam to help build the company up from the ground and continue the legacy of the original founder. Today, C-Therm Technologies is widely recognized as the global leader in the industry, producing top notch thermal conductivity test equipment. Adam’s co-op experiences paved the way for his success with C-Therm Technologies.

Why Work-Integrated Learning

The benefits of work-integrated learning were made clear to Adam shortly after graduation. “Dal’s work terms provided me with significant differentiation from business grads coming out on the market from other schools.” Being able to stand apart from other new graduates when entering a competitive workforce for the first time is a significant advantage. Additionally, pursuing a degree with work-integrated learning gave Adam access to incredible mentors and engaging marketing work through his co-ops at Travel CUTS. The company gave him the opportunity to tour the region and become skilled at giving marketing presentations. These experiences enriched his degree and made him a more competitive candidate when searching for a position post-graduation.

Skills Gained on Work Term

Adam acknowledges that the trickiest problems in business are typically ‘people problems’. These are the skills that are difficult to learn from a textbook or classroom setting. “Building soft skills – leadership, effective communication, assembling high-performance teams, motivating and aligning teams – these are skills that are forged with experience.” Without practical work experience, learning how to successfully navigate these challenges would be much harder. Adam’s co-ops provided the perfect opportunity to begin building these skills that remain relevant in his work today.

In fall 2024, Management Career Services reached an incredible milestone of 20,000 business work terms for students in the Bachelor of Commerce Co-op, Bachelor of Management, and Corporate Residency MBA programs. These programs have produced a diverse group of alumni who have made significant contributions across industries. To learn more about their stories and the impact of these work-integrated learning programs, visit our website.

Written by: Mara Williams

Jason Wong (BComm’12) is the founder and owner of Elutris, a freelance marketing consultancy that builds strategic plans and processes to help clients reach their full potential. His entrepreneurial success can be traced back to the co-op work terms he completed during his time at Dalhousie University. “The things that I remember most about my work terms is just the sheer amount of experience and learning that I got from them.” These lessons learned remain invaluable to him today as a business owner.

Learning on the Job

Completing three co-ops allowed Jason to develop key skills that he would not have been able to perfect solely in a classroom setting. He completed two of his work terms at Make-A-Wish Foundation with a small team of employees, requiring him to wear many hats while on the job. This experience taught Jason how to prioritize different tasks and ensure that the most critical jobs were completed in a timely manner. In addition, the non-profit environment taught him valuable lessons about negotiating with others and motivating donors or other vendors to get involved. When interacting with external business partners, he learned “I need to be able to listen to who they are, what they need, and be able to tailor my pitch to them.” This skill remains applicable today in the operation of his own business.

Co-op Student to Entrepreneur

After his work terms at Make-A-Wish Foundation, Jason completed his third co-op at Scotiabank, providing a diverse array of experiences that remain beneficial in his work as an entrepreneur. In contrast to the grassroots operations of Make-A-Wish, Scotiabank, as a much larger, more formalized company, gave him experience with following processes and protocols that became helpful when setting up his own business’s structure. Getting to experience two vastly different organizations helped him learn the “startup mentality of what it takes to actually run to start a business and the things that need to be done in order to succeed long-term.” He learned how to adapt to the different skills needed on the job and utilise corporate structure and processes to demonstrate his credibility to clients today.

Why Entrepreneurship

After graduation, Jason worked for a few different marketing agencies before deciding to open his own business. Embarking on an entrepreneurial journey is always a risk, but his work term and career experiences helped him feel as prepared as possible before taking the leap. During his degree, Jason learned a lot about collaboration with different groups of people, and how to be the most effective teammate. A huge draw to entrepreneurship for Jason was the diversity of the work available to him. “As an entrepreneur, I don’t do one thing; I do everything. I wear many hats.” He can explore different aspects of the business, playing a key role in marketing, accounting, strategic planning, technology, and other key components of the business.

Job Searching Post-Graduation

In addition to the skills gained while on his work terms, participating in the co-op program allowed Jason to be much better prepared for the post-graduation job search. By searching for three different co-ops, he developed his networking and job search skills to the point where he was confident pursuing connections with industry professionals to secure a post-grad position. “I was comfortable with interviewing, comfortable with networking, comfortable with asking questions and getting to know people.” Networking with working professionals also allowed him to gain a deeper understanding of the types of roles available, developing a better knowledge of various jobs than he would have gained solely in the classroom. Completing the Commerce Co-op program allowed him to practice these networking skills and feel equipped to handle a competitive job search after graduation.

In fall 2024, Management Career Services reached an incredible milestone of 20,000 business work terms for students in the Bachelor of Commerce Co-op, Bachelor of Management, and Corporate Residency MBA programs. These programs have produced a diverse group of alumni who have made significant contributions across industries. To learn more about their stories and the impact of these work-integrated learning programs, visit our website.

Written by: Mara Williams

Jessie Rankin (BComm ’20), is an Investment Banking Associate at NewPoint Capital Partners, who leverages her technical and communication skills to provide solutions for clients. The roots of her passion and expertise in this career can be found in the co-ops she completed during her degree at Dalhousie. “My work terms leading up to my final co-op well positioned me for a career in investment banking, with my last co-op directly leading to a full-time position with NewPoint.” Work-integrated learning set her up for success immediately following graduation, and the skills she developed help her continue to thrive today.

Awakening a Passion for Investment Banking

Completing three co-ops over the course of her degree allowed Jessie to discover and deepen her interest in investment banking. She completed her second co-op at Scotiabank, where she worked as a Global Portfolio Advisory Group Intern. During this experience, she had the opportunity to connect with employees who had worked in the investment banking field. “Without the co-op program, I wouldn’t have even known I was interested in investment banking.” Learning more about the industry allowed her to pursue an investment banking role for her final co-op, NewPoint Capital Partners. This co-op helped her launch a full-time career at the company, allowing her to continue working in the field she is passionate about.

Real-World Experience

The co-op program allowed Jessie to gain practical, real-world experience and acquire insights into the financial industry that she would not have gained in a purely academic environment. “No classroom teaches you how to navigate shifting priorities, read between the lines in emails, or anticipate what senior bankers need before they ask.” Learning how to handle the world of investment banking before beginning her post-grad career allowed her to strengthen the essential skills of communication, professionalism, and the ability to build trust between colleagues and clients. Getting real-world experience allowed her to combine the technical skills perfected in the classroom with the essential soft skills needed to succeed in this relationship-driven field.

Leadership in Student Societies

As a student, Jessie was involved in several student societies in a variety of roles, contributing to an enriching university experience. She held the position of Fourth-Year Director for the Dalhousie Commerce Society and Vice President Finance for Alpha Gamma Delta. In addition, she was Vice President Projects for Enactus Dalhousie. Combining these leadership roles with her participation in case competitions allowed her to make valuable connections and gain practical experience. “These experiences allowed me to develop skills in financial management and analysis, project coordination, critical thinking, presentations, and time management that really made a difference in my performance during my co-ops.”

Advice for Her First-Year Self

Now five years out of university and working in a career she loves, Jessie reflects back on her early days as a Dalhousie student. She encourages students to get involved in extracurricular activities early and not let fear or anxiety hold you back from putting yourself out there. She had the opportunity to participate in a trip to Asia with an International Trade class, a coding course, and various case studies and competitions across Canada. In addition to these finance opportunities, she gained extensive beneficial knowledge by engaging with different communities and exploring a world outside of finance as well. “Cognitive diversity is incredibly important; exposing yourself to different ideas, people, and problem-solving approaches will make you a more adaptable, creative, and insightful professional.”

Hiring Students Today

Today, Jessie is involved in hiring co-op students in the role she once held as a student. She utilises her experience as a co-op student at NewPoint to understand the challenges students face and what makes an exceptional candidate. “I’m uniquely positioned to identify the traits that lead to success in the role. It’s incredibly rewarding to be in a position where I can recognize potential and provide opportunities that help students grow in their careers.”

In fall 2024, Management Career Services reached an incredible milestone of 20,000 business work terms for students in the Bachelor of Commerce Co-op, Bachelor of Management, and Corporate Residency MBA programs. These programs have produced a diverse group of alumni who have made significant contributions across industries. To learn more about their stories and the impact of these work-integrated learning programs, visit our website.

Written by: Mara Williams

Andrew MacNeil (BComm’94), Senior Business Consultant at Kinaxis, works with large companies in several different industries, delivering innovative supply chain planning solutions. His 25 years of experience working with software helps him effectively understand what a business needs to create an effective technological solution. The origins of this impressive career can be traced back to his time at Dalhousie University in the first ever Commerce cohort to complete three co-ops, where he had the opportunity to explore career options and ignite an interest in technology.

Skills Gained Through Work-Integrated Learning

Looking back on his three co-ops, Andrew acknowledges the lessons he learned that helped him achieve success in his career today. During his first co-op at Pictou District School Board, he worked on a complex data analysis project that ended in a formal presentation to the Board of Directors of the school board. “I began to learn the process of taking on a large project and breaking it down into smaller tasks that I could work on each day.” This approach to large tasks remains beneficial to this day during Andrew’s work with Kinaxis. This experience also allowed Andrew to develop strong public speaking skills. “I’ve also learned that it’s important to be able to explain complex topics in a manner that’s suitable for different audiences.” These lessons help make him a trusted advisor that his clients can count on.

Combining Business and Technology

With a lifelong interest in studying business, Andrew chose the Dalhousie Commerce Co-op program despite being unsure of his desired major. Initially considering finance, the co-op program allowed Andrew to explore different options and discover an interest in the technology sector. “After my first two work terms at the Pictou District School Board I developed a strong passion for data and technology.” Gaining this personal knowledge allowed him to customize the rest of his degree to include additional math and computer science courses, deepening his knowledge of the field. Post-graduation from Dalhousie, Andrew decided to pursue an additional degree in computer science.

First Commerce Co-op Cohort

As a 1994 graduate, Andrew was a member of the very first cohort of the Commerce Co-op program. Reflecting on the experience of participating in a brand-new version of the program, Andrew recalls the excitement and nervousness that he and his classmates felt. “Everyone wanted the program to be successful which meant opportunity for the students to gain much needed work experience.” His cohort saw the value in work-integrated learning and were eager to make the most of the experience. At the time, work terms were an optional component of the program. Andrew embraced this opportunity to explore different career options and gain a better understanding of his work preferences and passions.

Learning Outside a Classroom

By choosing to participate in work-integrated learning during his undergraduate degree, Andrew was able to learn lessons he would not have learned in a classroom setting. Gaining experience in a professional setting allowed him to adapt to an environment with less frequent and structured performance evaluations than provided in a school setting. He learned “to be your own advocate, choose role models to benchmark yourself against, and ask for feedback often.” This ethos has helped him continue to grow and challenge himself throughout his career. “You should never stop learning no matter where you are in your career or life.”

In fall 2024, Management Career Services reached an incredible milestone of 20,000 business work terms for students in the Bachelor of Commerce Co-op, Bachelor of Management, and Corporate Residency MBA programs. These programs have produced a diverse group of alumni who have made significant contributions across industries. To learn more about their stories and the impact of these work-integrated learning programs, visit our website.

Written by: Mara Williams

Katie Flanagan (BComm’18), Manager, Campus and Early Talent Recruitment, works on the Enterprise Campus Recruitment Team at BMO. She and her team are responsible for hiring the next generation of BMO’s talent, and work to connect talented students with roles that align with their passions. The roots of her achievements in this role can be found in the co-op work terms she completed during her university undergraduate degree. “There is no doubt that the Dalhousie Commerce Co-op program, and in particular, my practical work term experience, contributed to where I am today.”

Getting Involved on Campus

As a former member of the Dalhousie Commerce Society (DCS), Katie emphasizes the importance of getting involved in campus extracurriculars. She joined the DCS in her first year, working her way up from first-year representative to president in her final year. Working with the DCS allowed her to contribute to the campus community, get involved in charitable organizations, and gain a plethora of soft skills that remain beneficial to this day. Working on the DCS played a pivotal role in Katie’s university education. “This experience heavily impacted both my time in university, my work terms, and who I am today.” Her work on the society pushed her outside of her comfort zone, contributing to her personal and professional growth.

Mentorship Through Work-Integrated Learning

Reflecting back on her co-ops, Katie is particularly grateful for the guidance she received from senior leaders about her career and skill development. Through her work-integrated learning experiences, she benefitted from one-on-one mentorship from several strong women in leadership. The consistent coaching and support received from these leaders allowed Katie to improve her networking and professional skills during a time of significant growth and development in her life. “The exposure to senior leaders, especially women in leadership, was instrumental both in learning to network and interact in this capacity, and also in shaping how I saw my career path developing.” Working first-hand with senior leaders opened her eyes to the possibilities available to her and ignited a lifelong excitement about her career.

Choosing a Career in Finance

As a Marketing Management major, Katie hadn’t envisioned herself working in the financial services industry until her second work term, which she completed at Scotiabank. “This experience showed me that there is such a breadth of opportunities outside of ‘finance’ available at the Bank.” By completing her co-ops at three different organizations, Katie was able to identify her professional likes and dislikes early on, which helped her determine that pursuing a career in financial services was right for her. “As I have continued to progress in my career at the Bank, I continue to be introduced to unique roles and teams that cater themselves to a variety of skillsets and areas of interest.” Without her work-integrated learning experiences, Katie’s eyes might never have been opened to the world she now thrives in.

Recruitment as a Former Co-op Student

Working now in campus recruitment at BMO, Katie has the unique perspective of a former co-op student as she works with current students interested in the company. “My time in the Dalhousie Commerce Co-op program was very influential in the approach I take when I connect with students. I am able to anticipate questions and tailor the experience to ensure it is as valuable as possible.” She is able to draw from her own experience as a student searching for a co-op and use it to connect with the next generation of student talent.

In fall 2024, Management Career Services reached an incredible milestone of 20,000 business work terms for students in the Bachelor of Commerce Co-op, Bachelor of Management, and Corporate Residency MBA programs. These programs have produced a diverse group of alumni who have made significant contributions across industries. To learn more about their stories and the impact of these work-integrated learning programs, visit our website.