Coming from Mount Uniacke, Nova Scotia, Jade Wyrcimaga is a fourth-year Bachelor of Commerce Co-op student pursuing a major in Accounting and completing an in-progress certificate in Marketing Management. “Growing up in Nova Scotia, Dal was always glamourized for being prestigious and one of the best schools in Atlantic Canada. I was inclined to stay local, so I figured Dal would give me the best opportunity for success.”

Jade’s co-op journey began in winter 2024 with Bluewater Group where she worked as an Accounting Co-op Student. “At Bluewater, I was pulled in to assist with the revenue billing team and take over for the previous billing manager. This included performing high level CPA (Chartered Professional Accountant) activities that I would not have experienced otherwise.”

During her second work term with Metro Community Housing Association (MCHA) as the Accounting Assistant, she was appointed as the head coordinator of the holiday fundraiser for clients. “This was so exciting to me, because I was able to learn and apply all of the fundamental concepts of what it looks like to fundraise as a non-profit organization.”

Her third and final co-op took place this past summer, where she worked at Stingray Radio as an Accounting Associate. “All of my work terms gave me the privilege of working on extra tasks that fell outside the typical co-op scope of responsibilities. I am so fortunate to have experienced not only co-op duties, but tasks of significance to my supporting CPAs.”

Jade shares that she was sometimes made to feel that her co-op experiences were ‘less than’ by others, because she was working in industries rather than accounting forms. However, her decision to complete three accounting work terms outside the Big 4 firms was entirely intentional. “Although the Big 4 firms are ideal for gaining real-world accounting experience, I have always been drawn to smaller, more tightly knit workplaces. I find there is more opportunity to build professional relationships and work closely as a united team, while working in a smaller environment.”

To other students considering smaller firms or industries for their work terms, she says that “all experience is valuable and relevant. No matter where you work, you will gain so much experience.”

For Jade, balancing her job search with schoolwork and outside activities required structure and discipline. When asked what advice she would offer other students, Jade emphasizes three key points. “Start the job hunt early, network and meet as many people as you can, and also get to know a lot about the company you are applying for.” She also encourages students to connect with recent grads. “They have gone through the job search process before and may have their own insight into effective recruiting.”

Looking forward, Jade plans on completing her CPA designation while becoming established within a company or a firm. She looks forward to gaining hands-on experience and continuing to grow in her career, approaching each new opportunity with appreciation and an open mind.

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.

Originally from Kingston, Jamaica, Benjamin Harper is a second-year Bachelor of Commerce Co-op student pursuing a major in Finance. “Truly, the co-op program has provided me with the opportunity to gain real-world experience, which is invaluable to me.”

Throughout his time at Dalhousie so far, Benjamin has been involved in four case competitions. “I had some prior experience with professional development activities in high school, but coming to Dal, I realized that a key component of maximizing my four years here was to participate in extracurriculars.” In his first case competition, Rumble in the Rowe, his team came in second place, pushing him to keep competing and exploring other opportunities.

His most challenging competition was the Strategic Solutions Summit hosted by the Dalhousie Management Society, his final competition of his first year. “My team and I had three days to create a solution to this complex problem, and it nearly broke us,” he explains, “My team and I thought about quitting three times, just trying to come up with an idea that we would be satisfied with.” In the end, they came together with an idea they were proud of and accomplished what they had set out to do, securing the first-place prize.

After a successful year of case competitions in which his team earned recognition each time, Benjamin identifies three attributes that made his teams stand out. “Each member had their own skills, experience, and confidence in their abilities. Each member was confident and challenged each other. Finally, we learn from every competition. This is the most important for continued success. In every single competition, you must learn something new, even when you do well.”

Benjamin highly encourages other students to get involved in professional development early in their program. “It’s a great way to meet people, develop skills, work in tense situations, and work professionally. Keep at it, don’t be discouraged or scared to compete.”

Looking ahead to his first co-op, Benjamin believes his case competition experience has prepared him well for the workplace. “The skills and experience have helped me understand how to be creative and properly explain a solution to a problem. My case competition experience has already helped me secure career opportunities and has helped me operate in my roles.”

Thanks to his case competition experience and drive to keep learning, Benjamin feels more ready than ever to take on the professional world and make the most of what’s ahead.

Originally from Oakville, Ontario, Makaila Melhuish is a third-year Bachelor of Commerce Co-op student, pursuing a major in Marketing. “What drew me to the Commerce program was the strong preparation it offers for building a successful career, particularly through all the different experiences we gain in our co-ops.”

This past winter, Makaila completed her first co-op with Seaboard Transport Group as a Human Resources Intern. “I supported various HR functions including internal communications, recruitment, and creating promotional materials,” she explains. One of her key accomplishments during her work term was stepping outside of her comfort zone and growing professionally. “The experience helped me develop confidence, stronger communication skills, and a better understanding of HR operations.” Her time in this role also offered her exposure to real-world challenges in the workplace, laying a strong foundation for her future work opportunities.

Makaila is currently completing her second work term with Dash Social as the Office and Events Intern. Dash Social is a growing company that provides advanced workflow solutions, analytics, and automation tools to help brands achieve impactful results. “In my role, I help coordinate their internal events, support office operations, and assist with employee engagement initiatives,” she says. “I am most looking forward to putting my creativity into action. Whether it’s brainstorming event themes, designing engaging activities, or finding unique ways to make the office environment more fun and collaborative.”

Looking back on her job search experience, Makaila highlights the importance of setting aside dedicated time each week to avoid becoming overwhelmed. “The most stressful part for me was the waiting, especially after interviews, and hoping to hear back from companies. I reminded myself that with hundreds of students applying for the same roles, employers have many resumes and interviews to review. A delay in response doesn’t always mean bad news.” To manage this stress, she focused on doing things she enjoyed outside of school and work.

Makaila hopes to carry forward the lessons and skills she’s developed so far. “I plan to carry what I’ve learned in my co-ops into future opportunities by staying open to challenges and continuing to learn by doing. These experiences have shown me the importance of adaptability and effective communication, which I know will be valuable in any career path I take.”

Looking ahead to her final co-op and future career, Makaila is excited to keep exploring her passion for events. “Just three weeks into my current co-op and I already feel confident that this is the right path for me, and I’m excited to continue gaining hands-on experience to grow professionally.”

Owen Shepherd is a third-year Bachelor of Commerce Co-op student pursuing a major in Finance. Originally from Toronto, he was eager to experience life on the east coast and was drawn to the Commerce Co-op program’s strong reputation for the opportunity to gain real-world experience through work-integrated learning.

For his first co-op this past winter, Owen worked with AIG, a globally recognized insurance company, where he supported their Cyber team in Toronto. As part of a seven-person underwriting unit, he supported critical business operations. “I was responsible for preparing detailed underwriting documents, conducting analysis on client risk and exposure to better support the team’s underwriting decisions and overall process.” A standout moment during his co-op was getting involved in a major underwrite for a new client seeking cyber policy. “I was tasked with interacting with brokers, conducting analysis on the company, and pricing the exposure while supporting the team as they looked to agree to terms with the prospective client.” This hands-on experience gave Owen a strong understanding of the underwriting process and helped him build confidence in a professional setting.

Prior to his first co-op, Owen launched his own business, Shep’s Plow and Mow, to explore entrepreneurship and develop a range of personal and professional skills. “Most notably, this venture required me to put myself out there, particularly through door-door sales while ensuring that clients’ needs were met,” he says. “It reinforced the idea that growth comes from being comfortable with the uncomfortable while also improving my time management skills and ability to prioritize tasks and meet tight deadlines.”

Reflecting on his job search, Owen recognizes the challenges of balancing schoolwork with finding the right opportunities. “Scheduling time for either the job search or school allowed me to hold myself accountable and ultimately achieve my objective of getting a job in insurance.”

For students going through their own co-op search, he emphasizes the value in maintaining a positive mindset during the search process. He also recommends starting the process as early as possible and being proactive. “Ensuring that you’re prioritizing the co-op search early while talking to as many people as possible can help you to better understand your own interests and strengths.” Finally, he encourages other students to reflect on their motivations for pursuing a specific position. “Understand your own reasoning for why you want to pursue a certain job and be able to connect that ‘why’ to your previous experiences through a story.”

Looking ahead, Owen is excited to be joining CNA’s Management Liability team in Toronto for his second co-op, where he’ll continue to explore the insurance and financial services industries. “Going forward, I’ll continue to surround myself with good people who align with my values and interests while ensuring I seek out roles that provide an opportunity to learn, be involved, and make a meaningful impact.”

Marley Webb is a second-year Commerce Co-op student majoring in Managing People and Organizations. Marley was initially drawn to Dalhousie because of the Commerce Co-op program and the resources provided to help students secure job opportunities.

“Many programs want their students to have relevant and productive co-ops but don’t provide resources to help them secure those opportunities. Dal’s approach stood out,” she says.

Marley’s first co-op took place in winter 2025 with KeyAssets Canada, a non-profit organization that provides children and family services across Canada, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand. The organization’s work in Nova Scotia gave Marley the chance to contribute meaningfully to their HR operations and grow in the process. “I was drawn to KeyAssets because of the hands-on experience. They started by teaching me the basics, but quickly gave me opportunities to step up,” she explains. “Eventually, I was fronting the Nova Scotian recruitment efforts, which included running interviews and writing hiring recommendations.”

As a Human Resources Intern, Marley carried out full-cycle recruitment for the Nova Scotia area, supported onboarding, and maintained personnel files. “I collected and screened resumes, conducted pre-screening interviews, hosted virtual interviews, and wrote final hiring recommendations. It was a great opportunity to take ownership of meaningful work early in my career.”

One of Marley’s biggest accomplishments during the term was learning how to collaborate effectively with her teammates in an autonomous environment. “Even though we were in different provinces, we stayed in sync using Microsoft Teams, shared calendars, and regular check-ins. It showed me that physical distance doesn’t have to be a barrier to strong teamwork.” Marley also valued the trust and confidence that the KeyAssets team had in her. “They believed I could take on a big responsibility, and proving to myself that I was capable of contributing in a real and meaningful way was incredibly rewarding,” she shares.

Marley’s co-op experience further solidified her passion for Human Resources and sparked her interest in exploring more areas of the field. “I want to expand into training and development, compensation and benefits, and strategic HR,” she says. “It’s important to find a team and a company that you truly respect and feel proud to be a part of.”

Marley offers her advice for fellow students navigating the job search process: “Be professional, but don’t be afraid to let your personality come through, it’s what makes you different. Show that you’re eager to learn while also being confident in what you already bring to the table. And yes, get your resume done early!”

Looking ahead, Marley is excited to begin her next co-op this fall with Solid State Pharma, where she is working in-person as a Business Assistant focusing on market research. Her goal is to experience different industries and different team dynamics to gain a solid understanding of what roles provide the most fulfillment.

With a drive to learn, a proactive mindset, and a strong foundation from her first co-op, Marley is on her way to building an impactful career in HR.

At the age of 14, Tri Ngo moved to Canada alone to pursue an education. Now, he is a fourth-year Commerce Co-op student majoring in Supply Chain and Logistics Management. “I knew that the combination of academic knowledge and hands-on work experience would help me grow, and it truly has. Through every challenge and success, I’ve developed both personally and professionally, and I’m thankful every day for how far I’ve come.”

Tri completed his first co-op in winter 2023 at RKO Steel Limited as a Purchasing Assistant. “I was drawn to the chance to understand how purchasing works in a manufacturing setting. It was hands-on, and I got to see how materials are sourced, inspected, and prepared for large-scale steel fabrication projects.” Tri learned the value of real-life connections as well. “Being able to contribute to real projects helped me see the value of communication and teamwork beyond the office.”

For his second work term, Tri worked at Halifax Regional Centre for Education as a Purchasing Clerk, driven by his desire for industry experience in new areas. “I wanted to learn more about how purchasing is handled in the public sector, especially when it involves taxpayer money and impacts the community directly,” he says. “I felt proud knowing the work I did contributed to something that benefits so many people.”

GeoSpectrum is where Tri completed his third co-op as a Purchasing Coordinator. “I supported global projects, including work related to ocean technology and defense. It was inspiring to be part of a team whose work can have global reach. I learned to handle more complex procurement processes and collaborate with engineers, technicians, and international partners. It made me feel like I was making a difference beyond borders,” he says. “The bond among co-op students is something I’ll always remember. We worked side by side, supported each other through challenges, and celebrated little wins together.”

Tri decided early on that working at three different organizations would be beneficial in his career journey. “Each industry operates differently, with its own challenges, pace, and priorities. By exploring private manufacturing, public service, and high-tech sectors, I was able to develop a well-rounded skillset and understand where I might best fit in the future.”

In the face of challenges during his co-ops, Tri always persevered. “One lesson I’ve learned the hard way: always start early. I made it a habit to check postings weekly and apply as soon as possible so I wouldn’t be overwhelmed during exams or deadlines. Finding that balance takes time, but it’s worth it.” As for his advice to others: “Be open-minded. Some of the best roles I’ve had weren’t ones I imagined for myself in the beginning. Try to look beyond titles and see the learning potential in each opportunity. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to MCS, past co-op students, and others. Everyone is more willing to help than you might think.”

In the future, Tri plans to use his experience to the fullest. “I’d like to stay in the supply chain field, ideally in purchasing or manufacturing. I’ve learned how to adapt quickly, stay calm under pressure, and ask for help when I need it.”  He is also interested in serving the public. “If the opportunity arises, I would love to enlist in the Canadian Armed Forces as a Supply Chain Officer. That way, I could continue doing the work I enjoy while serving the country that gave me so much. As someone who came to Canada alone, I’m really proud of how far I’ve come and excited to see where these experiences will take me next.”