Originally from Oakville, Ontario, Bachelor of Commerce Co-op student Elizabeth Schmidt (better known as Lizzie) chose Dalhousie University due to its excellent reputation and the opportunity to participate in a mandatory co-op program. She believes gaining real-world experience beyond the classroom is essential for personal and professional growth.

Lizzie, who is pursuing a major in Supply Chain and Logistics Management, completed her first co-op this past winter term with courier and parcel delivery company Purolator. During her time at Purolator, she made significant contributions as she worked closely with the operations and engineering teams to identify and resolve potential inefficiencies. She implemented process improvements on the road and in the depots, showcasing her ability to drive positive organizational change. “A project I worked on and helped design is now a tracking template being used across Atlantic Canada,” says Lizzie. “It was a good feeling to have something I helped develop, especially during my first co-op term, used on such a large scale.”

Lizzie’s co-op experience allowed her to explore different aspects of the supply chain industry. She had the opportunity to visit the Moncton Hub, a central facility for all freight in Atlantic Canada, where she gained valuable insights into the intricate processes involved in package delivery. Additionally, she went on a ride-along with a courier, which gave her firsthand experience and a deeper understanding of their day-to-day responsibilities.

Throughout her co-op, Lizzie developed important skills that will benefit her future career. She gained confidence in her professional abilities, enabling her to trust her work while also knowing when to seek guidance. She also acquired technical skills which will prove valuable in her future endeavors in the supply chain industry. “I find all the different moving aspects in this industry are very interesting and how they all come together to complete one task. You never really think of all the effort that goes into getting your packages from one place to another when all you need to do is click order on your phone,” says Lizzie. “One thing I would highly recommend to anyone doing a co-op in the operations or supply chain industry is to see the processes firsthand. This could be shadowing someone else’s job or just watching the processes play out yourself. You can look at data and spreadsheets to make decisions, however, to truly understand the processes of the industry, it is valuable to see it yourself up close.”

During her job search, Lizzie utilized resources from Management Career Services and online employment platforms like Indeed. She expanded her search to include previous employers and other professional contacts, which is how she got in touch with Purolator. She successfully secured her co-op using effective networking and communication skills. “Having confidence in myself and my own capabilities is how I was able to find my own work term.”

As Lizzie looks toward her future career, including her next two co-ops, she offers the following advice to her peers: “Embrace new experiences, and don’t let fear hold you back from achieving your goals.”

When Bachelor of Commerce Co-op student Sydney Alleyne moved from her home of Vancouver, B.C. in September 2020 to attend Dalhousie in Halifax, she welcomed the new experiences that awaited her on the east coast.

Sydney is wrapping up her third year in the program this summer with her third and final co-op. She chose a major in Marketing, drawn by the combination of analytical and creative thinking required in the industry. “The marketing industry is constantly changing and there are plenty of opportunities to be innovative in our work,” she adds. “Further, marketing involves a great deal of collaboration. Working with a team with diverse skills allows us to learn from each other and create amazing things.”

Sydney’s co-op experiences have played a significant role in her professional development so far. During her first work term as Marketing and Communication Coordinator at 3rdiLabs, a Canadian tech start-up, Sydney conducted a website audit, implemented a new social media strategy, and created print and online materials for conferences and launches. Her ability to wear multiple hats and explore different aspects of the company enhanced her understanding of the start-up environment.

Sydney joined Killam REIT as a Marketing and Leasing Co-op Student for her second co-op. There, she developed social media content, enhanced website content and user experience through SEO, and assisted with customer relationship management. Throughout her time at Killam, she actively sought new challenges, recognizing that the skills and experience gained from such opportunities would be valuable assets in her future career. “Even though I learned that a career in leasing is not something I want to pursue, I was incredibly thankful for the opportunity and the work experience. There’s something to be said about gaining experience in different areas and appreciating and recognizing that the skills learned from the opportunity will be useful in any future career.”

As Sydney looks toward her future career, she has already developed valuable job search strategies thanks to her experience in a co-op program. Some of her tactics include turning on notifications for new jobs on LinkedIn, tailoring her resume and cover letter to each job posting, and maintaining connections with companies she has interviewed with in the past. Sydney also emphasizes the importance of leveraging Management Career Services (MCS). She shares that when the position she secured for her third co-op fell through at the last minute, she reached out to MCS for support. “Tiffany, my amazing Career and Recruitment Specialist, connected me with great people and provided lots of support which ultimately led to me finding another co-op position just five days after my first one was cancelled.”

Sydney is currently completing her third co-op as a Marketing Associate at Symplicity Designs before heading into her final year in the Commerce Co-op program in the fall.

Sydney’s advice for you:

• Make the most of myCareer, seek guidance from your Career and Recruitment Specialist for your resume and cover letter, and utilize their expertise for job search advice.
• Include your LinkedIn on your resume (I’ve been complimented by interviewers for including mine).
• Stay connected and up-to-date with companies you interview with and are interested in.
• Your first impression is super important at your co-op. Start your first week giving 110% and that impression will remain throughout your work term (as long as you keep up the hard work).
• Adopt a ‘can do’ attitude. Be open to learning new things, even if they’re not your ideal task, to help you build important skills.
• Prepare notes and do your research before interviewing for a role. Often companies will ask questions to test your understanding of the job posting and company.

Originally from the small town of North Gower, Ontario, Ainsley Wallace is a third-year Bachelor of Commerce Co-op student, majoring in Marketing. Ainsley recalls being taught in high school the importance of having “something extra” to stand out from the crowd when entering the workforce and felt the mandatory co-op element of Dal’s Commerce program was the ideal way to do this.

For her first co-op, as Marketing and Events Assistant at not-for-profit organization Skills Canada Nova Scotia Association, Ainsley was involved with organizing competitions at NSCC campuses across the province. “There were long days but coming together at the end and celebrating the achievement together with my team was one of the highlights of my co-op.” As Project Coordinator at Digital Nova Scotia during her second co-op, she helped small businesses grow through the organization’s tourism digital assistance program. Ainsley shares what she has observed to be the biggest strength of working in the not-for-profit sector. “You develop close personal relationships with your co-workers, which can be especially helpful as a co-op student because you become more confident with seeking help or advice from your coworkers.”

Ainsley shares that during her job search, she learned and continues to learn strategies to help with the anxiety and nerves that, for many students, comes along with doing job interviews. “I’ve found that reaching out to my CRS for practice interviews or advice from past co-op coworkers has been extremely helpful.” She shares that once she worked with her CRS to review her documents, she noticed an increase in the number of interviews she was securing compared to previous semesters.

This summer, Ainsley is completing her third and final co-op as a Marketing and Business Growth Intern with En Point. In 2022, she completed her first co-op with Skills Canada Nova Scotia Association, and her second co-op with Digital Nova Scotia, and was nominated for Dalhousie’s 2022 Top Co-op Student of the Year for the Faculty of Management, not once, but twice, by both of her supervisors. “It’s a great feeling to know that while I’m gaining experience during my co-ops, I’m also providing value. As a co-op student, there’s nothing you want more than to impress your employer and leave a good impression,” she says. “I feel very proud that I’ve accomplished that goal in both of my previous positions. I’m so grateful that I’ve had such amazing employers who have recognized my hard work and supported me.”

Originally from Jordan, Hatem Sinan is a fourth-year Bachelor of Commerce Co-op student, majoring in Accounting. “I chose Dalhousie due to its excellent reputation in my field of study and its co-op program, which provides an opportunity to gain hands-on experience, connect with industry professionals, and build a professional network.”

Despite challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, Hatem was able to secure his first co-op position by researching potential employers early. This led him to the opportunity to work at Ernst & Young in Dubai as an Audit Intern. Soon after, he joined PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), completing his second and third co-op positions in their Halifax office. During his time at PwC, Hatem worked with the external Audit team as well as the Assurance team, which helped him develop necessary professional communication skills, employing efforts across various departments. “I learned to apply close attention to detail and develop strong communication skills while working with partners in the Halifax office, allowing me to excel at meeting multiple project deadlines.”

Hatem attributes his understanding of different financial industries to the mandatory co-op program. “Working with different industries, such as financial services, mining, and construction, provided me with a broader perspective and opened up new opportunities for career growth and advancement.”

When searching for positions to apply to, Hatem focused on employing various research methods. “To increase my chances of success, I utilized multiple job search strategies and customized my approach to each opportunity.” Hatem researched potential employers and created a list of companies that aligned with his interests and career goals. Not only did this allow him to expand his knowledge of prospective companies, but it allowed him to explore like-minded values. Taking advantage of events hosted by Management Career Services, he also attended numerous career fairs and networking events to expand his professional network.

With his early stemmed interest in accounting and his confidence gained through his co-op positions, Hatem aspires to gain employment in the accounting field here in Halifax after graduation. “Halifax’s diverse economy has a strong demand for accounting services, making it an ideal place for me to pursue my career aspirations. Reflecting on my co-op experiences, I am grateful for the opportunity to develop my skills and gain valuable experience.”

“The main reasons I decided to attend Dalhousie were the co-op element of the Bachelor of Commerce Co-op program, and because I felt the major Managing People and Organizations was really fitting for me,” says Emma Sundloev, a second-year student. Originally from Singapore and Sweden, Emma grew up in Basel, Switzerland and attended schools internationally her entire life, giving her a glimpse of how much of the world there is to explore. “Halifax seemed like a beautiful city, and I thought I could learn and grow a lot during my time at Dalhousie culturally, academically, and professionally.”

Emma is currently completing her first co-op at RBC Financial Group as a Business Analyst on the Strategy Enablement Team, working hybrid from the Halifax Innovation Hub in Bedford and from home. She landed her job in part thanks to her participation in the annual Halifax Innovation Challenge, presented by RBC and IBM, in October of last year. “After meeting my current boss at the Halifax Innovation Challenge, we connected on LinkedIn, and she told me to send her my resume,” says Emma. “I reached out to her on LinkedIn following the event. I then formally applied online for the job position, and I was contacted for an interview.”

Emma was able to experience first-hand the value of putting yourself out there at employer events and what can happen when you take a chance and grow your network. “I couldn’t recommend more to attend events like the Halifax Innovation Challenge if you want to challenge yourself. The event was exciting, intense, and gave many opportunities for learning and growth,” she says. “I met people on my team who shared their knowledge and uplifted and supported each other. There were several chances to network and attend workshops during the event. It gave me a chance to work on my public speaking skills and professionalism as my team and I presented to employers.”

Emma didn’t stop networking once she landed her co-op. She decided to set a personal networking goal to work toward during the term. “One of my internal RBC goals was to have between 12 and 16 coffee chats during my co-op. I am currently on number 11 and I can say I am very happy I set myself that goal. I have been able to learn about various lines of business, roles, and careers during these coffee chats and build strong connections within RBC. I feel like every day at work I learn something new, and I really cherish those learning opportunities.”

Emma’s job responsibilities include of updating websites, organizing a co-op student event, and assisting with other event planning projects. As her team organizes on-campus events, she has been able to attend and represent the organization at the Dalhousie Computer Science RBC Industry Showcase and the SMU Corporate Tour. “It was really interesting representing RBC and having students ask me to give them tips and advice while searching for their co-ops.” Emma has been able to apply her new knowledge already as a member of the Rowe Women in Business Association, being involved with organizing their upcoming 2023 Conference. “As the International Representative for WIBA, it has been really interesting and insightful to see what goes on behind the scenes for one of the companies sponsoring the event.”

Like many other students, Emma experienced feelings of self-doubt about securing her first co-op. With aspirations of working in-office, she persevered and kept applying to jobs on myCareer that fit her career goals. During the job application process, she received support from her Career and Recruitment Specialist to make sure her resume and cover letter were tailored to each job description. “My biggest advice is to continue applying, reach out and ask for help if you aren’t sure, and use the resources that are provided such as Management Career Services,” says Emma. “Timing and patience were big lessons I learned while applying for my first co-op. Remember, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, and I promise you will see the rewards.”

“Growing up in Guelph, Ontario, I knew I wanted a change of scenery for university, preferably in a province that was situated around water,” says Hannah Boyd, a fourth-year Bachelor of Commerce Co-op student majoring in Accounting. Hannah was drawn to Dal’s Commerce program because of the opportunity to gain 12 months of work experience during a four-year degree. “After I came out to tour the campus and the city, I was immediately drawn to the amazing atmosphere, as well as the beautiful landscape that Dalhousie is situated on. With the ocean only being a five-minute walk from campus, it was a no brainer, and I was immediately sold!”

Hannah had the opportunity to work for Fidelity Investments in Toronto for her first and second co-ops, and EY in Montreal for her third. “When reflecting back on my co-ops I feel very proud that I was able to land three amazing jobs at very credible and highly well-known companies during a global pandemic.” At Fidelity Investments she helped the Retirement Savings Plan team during their busiest season to date. At EY she worked alongside partners with one of their biggest clients, externally auditing financial statements.

During her second co-op at Fidelity Investments while working with the Sales Advisor team, she was assigned to organize an event for clients, a project she was very proud to lead. As it was close to the holiday season, Hannah arranged a virtual cookie decorating class with a local bakery in Toronto, allowing clients the opportunity to participate with their children. Afterward, she was able to meet and network with some of the clients.

With working from home for all three co-ops, Hannah shares that it was more difficult to partake in projects that her employers typically assigned to students. Nonetheless, her passion for learning and networking helped her make invaluable connections, benefitting her professional career. During her co-op with the Advisor Sales team, Hannah was tasked to support five different wholesale teams within five different geographical areas, helping plan events for the Women Leadership Group at Fidelity. “With supporting five different teams, it was crucial to stay on top of the tasks, as well as stay extremely organized when it came to receiving emails and planning calls throughout the week. Moving forward, this will carry on throughout my career and having built these organizational habits now will only benefit me further on.”

When Hannah arrived at Dalhousie, she made it a priority to familiarize herself with new people and remain open-minded to new opportunities. “I wanted to get involved with as many societies and extra-curriculars as possible to not only boost my resume, but to meet like-minded individuals that are equally as driven as I am.” She has assumed an executive role on the Women in Business Association, participated in the Dalhousie Investment Society, and in pursuit of honing her presentation skills, tried her hand at competing in case competitions. When heading into her final year of study, she was inspired to run for president of a society where she could plan events that would benefit the student community. She chose to pursue this within the Sales Society, as she had previously been involved wanted to take on a larger role.

“The Sales Society was started last year by two students who had a passion for bridging the sales industry and the classroom by providing insightful events to students who aren’t familiar with the opportunities that Sales can provide,” she says. “As I am entering into a full-time sales position starting this September, I was excited to become President of this society for the 2022-23 academic year. What I have learned throughout this experience is to listen to your members and plan events that appeal to the want of the student community. Through posting polls and questionnaires, I have tried to plan events that fit with what they will benefit most from to get the best turnout possible.”

Celia Innes is a third-year Bachelor of Commerce Co-op student, majoring in Marketing. Originally from a small town outside Ottawa, she knew she wanted to attend post-secondary school in a city that was not too overwhelming, and Halifax was just the right size. “I really wanted to go to Dalhousie because of the impressive Commerce program with integrated co-ops. That really caught my eye because it was an opportunity that I saw uniquely at Dal.”

Celia completed her most recent co-op as a Marketing Co-op Coordinator at OraSure Technologies. Located in Ottawa, OraSure is a biotechnology company focused on diagnostics, testing, sampling tools, and services analysis to understand customer DNA, diagnosing patients, and connecting them to support and treatment. In this role she had the opportunity to work with seven other women on a series of exciting projects, such as helping to organize the company’s presence at the American Society of Human Genetics trade show, the largest human genomics trade show in the United States, along with many other trade shows. “I developed a strong knowledge of digital marketing platforms such as HubSpot, Salesforce, Pardot, and more. Overall, I truly felt as though I learned an extensive amount about marketing tools from my experience,” she says.

Celia secured her co-op with OraSure through a self-developed job search. When asked about her approach to narrowing down companies to reach out to, she shares that she was determined to do a co-op at a company where she truly cared about the work they were doing. Celia also wanted to immerse herself in a new field she had little experience with, taking advantage of new opportunities and fresh perspective from her surroundings. She knew she wanted to learn more about digital marketing, and in an organization with a strong workplace culture.

Once she had a clear idea of the type of co-op she was looking for, Celia honed her networking skills. “I networked with every person I could and really immersed myself with looking deep into the companies they worked for. I soon realized that anywhere can be a networking opportunity. I networked with family friends, family members, and previous employers. I would send them emails or LinkedIn messages asking about their company and if there would be any co-op opportunities,” she says. “Finding a co-op can be intimidating because all your friends are talking about it, you’re typically on a bit of a time crunch, it’s very competitive, and you’re in the deep end of your school semester while trying to figure all of this out. One thing that co-op students should keep in mind is that the job has to be a match for you too. Apply for the jobs you want with confidence, and don’t sell yourself short.”

Celia is currently completing a semester abroad in Paris, which, like Halifax, is a city she has found a new love for.

“I chose Dal’s CRMBA program because it offered an 8-month corporate residency component, allowing me to fully immerse myself in an organization and its industry,” says David Kerr, who is pursuing his Corporate Residency MBA degree at Dalhousie. Originally from Toronto, he initially wanted to become a neurosurgeon, but that changed when he realized he could help people without going to medical school. “I fell in love with the world of med tech and start-ups. It was in that world that I realized I could positively impact people’s health by improving access to care through innovation – working to bring new technologies into the Canadian healthcare system.”

During his corporate residency, David worked for the Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub as a Business Development Coordinator and describes his time there to be an unparalleled experience. “At the Innovation Hub, I was surrounded by a diverse group of individuals and a myriad of unique perspectives that made for amazing collaboration of truly outside-of-the-box thinking.” He shares that working with the Innovation Hub offered him the flexibility and creativity of working in a start-up while having the resources of a large government organization. He also had the opportunity to liaise with industry clinicians and other government organizations focused on driving innovation and elevating healthcare in Nova Scotia.

David recommends the Corporate Residency MBA program to anyone thinking of advancing their career, as it allowed him to leverage his scientific knowledge to pivot into an industry he previously hadn’t considered. He was able to develop his project management skills while working at the Innovation Hub. “Working on projects with multiple stakeholders and various departmental considerations ensures you take a birds-eye view so you have complete visibility and can ensure that all the moving parts are working in concert to drive the project’s success.” For him, Management Career Services was instrumental in the job search process, supporting him in attaining his corporate residency with a new employer partner. He also believes networking is an integral part of the job search process. “When you take the time to connect with current employees and potential managers at firms you’re curious about, you demonstrate interest and increase your visibility to hiring teams.”

David serves on the CRMBA Society as Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (EDI), where he contributes to enhance EDI practices. “I saw an opportunity to work with other members of the CRMBA Society to create a lasting positive impact, not only for my cohort, but for those who will follow us.” Apart from being a student, David is also an avid traveller. He will be visiting India to take part in the Doing Business in Emerging Markets course. There, he will assess potential market opportunities for Canadian firms while also enjoying the country’s rich culture.

David’s advice for you:

• Don’t be afraid to self-develop your corporate residency if you don’t see a position listed that speaks to you.
• Leverage networking events to help you find a position that’s right for you and get involved in as many extracurriculars as you can.

Jenny Lee is a fourth-year Bachelor of Management student majoring in Managing Data and Information with a certificate in Marketing Management. Originally from Seoul, South Korea, she attended high school in Nova Scotia through the Nova Scotia International Student Program (NSISP). Captured by Halifax’s natural environment, Jenny decided to remain here and enroll in the Management program at Dalhousie University, taking advantage of the optional internship program.

“One of the main reasons I chose the internship program is because I was lacking work experience in my field of study, and having an internship position would expand my network and develop skills required for my career of interest,” says Jenny, who is completing her 8-month internship at the university’s Admission & Registrar’s Office. “Since my job is about helping prospective students who either wish or plan to attend Dalhousie, I feel very accomplished and enjoy doing my job.” Through her role she is gaining experience with tasks such as content inventory and content audit, two things which she had no prior experience with. Jenny is also responsible for managing campus tour operations. This allows her to develop professional skills such as time management and efficiency.

Jenny is enjoying her position at Dalhousie and expressed that she is surrounded by a supportive supervisor and colleagues who encourage her to take on new projects. “My experience as a Dal employee has been amazing as my supervisors and colleagues are very supportive and helpful when it comes to developing and improving skills.”

During her job search, Jenny prioritized applying for the internship jobs that appealed to her career interests, dedicated time to editing her application documents, and practiced her responses to common interview questions. As an international student under NSISP she was not able to work during high school, and she shares that she did not feel confident in her applications due to lack of experience. Jenny says that despite this, the support from her Career and Recruitment Specialist, Jennifer Coombs, helped her gain confidence to continue applying for internships. “She always sent me job postings to let me know that there were good opportunities for me, and the job I have now was one of them.”

Jenny’s advice for you:

• The Management Internship program will help you gain paid relevant experience in your field, better preparing you for the workforce after graduation.
• Take advantage of support from Management Career Services. They played an integral role in supporting me through reviewing and editing my professional documents, as well as supporting me through the application process.

In fall 2022, Jordan Hibbert “graduated remotely” from Dalhousie’s Bachelor of Management program while living in Calgary, Alberta, where he is currently working at BitWide as Marketing Outreach Coordinator. Originally from Victoria, B.C., Jordan travelled coast to coast while studying at Dal.

Jordan took advantage of the opportunity to complete the optional internship program as part of his Management degree to gain eight months of relevant, paid experience while still in school. “I believe that internships and co-ops might be the most important part of your bachelor’s degree. When I first learned about the internship program, I knew I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity. Having real-world work experience on your resume relating to your career path is such a boost when securing employment post-grad,” he says.

Jordan secured his internship with local non-profit organization Halifax Plays as a Program Administrator. Through his role, he was able to gain experience in multiple areas of business, which helped him determine which path he wanted to pursue in his career. During his internship, he shares that he was most proud of his contribution to the rebranding of Halifax Plays. “The most impactful project I worked on was a full rebranding of the organization, building a more consistent brand identity across all of their communication channels,” he says. “This also included a new website which I built from the ground up using many new and unfamiliar tools, which I have since leveraged in my job search and new position.” He shares that for him, the most valuable part of the internship was the freedom and encouragement from his employer to explore projects he was passionate about.

During his internship job search, Jordan shares he didn’t have many existing professional contacts in Halifax, so he took advantage of myCareer job postings and other job search methods with the support of Management Career Services. To expand his network, he reached out to a few contacts at organizations of interest to request coffee chats. “Since graduating, I’ve tried to leverage my network a lot more and have spoken with many contacts to gauge the job market and learn about current trends.”

Jordan credits his current success in the workplace to what he learned during his undergraduate degree, particularly his internship. “In all my interviews since graduating, I always talk about my experience in the internship program and the wide range of projects and responsibilities I was entrusted with,” he says. “I’m currently expanding beyond my role, helping the organization with new advertising campaigns and branding initiatives, which I wouldn’t have had the knowledge or confidence to succeed in without my experience from my internship.”

Jordan’s advice for you:

• Do not miss the opportunity to develop real skills employers are looking for through the internship program.
• Leverage MCS as much as you can, it’s their job to help you secure the best position possible and they want to see you succeed.