Lauren Houseman is a fourth-year student in the Bachelor of Commerce Co-op program, majoring in Managing People and Organizations. A Nova Scotia native, Lauren chose to study at Dalhousie because of its co-op program and the skills that can be gained through work-integrated learning. “Dalhousie provides a lot of resources to help with the job search process and ensures that you are putting your best foot forward in making connections.”

Lauren has completed all three of her co-ops, her first having been at MOBIA as an HR Intern. “I worked a lot with the onboarding process of employees, providing administrative support, completing reference calls, and completing and filing all new hire forms and required documents.” Her second co-op was at Emera as a People and Digital Co-op Student, where she assisted in the research and implementation of improved HR systems. “I kept employees and vendors up-to-date on progress and expectations for projects regarding talent acquisition, benefits, and compensation systems.” Lauren’s final co-op took place this past summer at Scotia Investments Ltd., where she worked as an HR Intern. As her experience grew with every co-op, her responsibilities became greater as well. “I created updated policies by documenting regulations, referring to legal requirements, current practices, and employee demands.” Lauren also improved the organization’s practices and collaborated with upper management to document procedures with business process models.

After a year of Human Resources experience, Lauren has gained a number of important skills that will carry her into her future career. She shares that her most valuable skill acquired through her work terms is her ability to research and present important information. “Improving technology and processes is crucial for a company to stay competitive. Working with individuals to improve satisfaction in work is a passion of mine, and I look forward to continuing to use strong communication and organizational skills to contribute to a society where people are happy with their work.”

Not only did Lauren gain experience in her co-ops, but she also took on a part-time role between her second and third co-ops. In winter 2023, she worked as an Assistant Career and Recruitment Specialist at MCS to provide one-on-one peer coaching appointments related to the job search. Lauren says she decided to apply because of her love for the job search and application process, and the opportunity to help other students. “This role fit perfectly with my interests and aligned well with my future goals of working in the Human Resource field.” With her previous relevant experience in customer-service oriented roles, she says that it was a fun role that she looked forward to every week.

At the beginning of the semester, Lauren met with first-year students in the COMM 1712 class to answer their questions about resumes and cover letters. And as time went on, she provided feedback for those students in practice interviews. “It was satisfying to be able to help students in a position that I had been in before, and seeing all their documents and interview responses helped me better understand how other applicants think.” Lauren shares that she found it fascinating to see the differences in each application she reviewed, representing an individual’s personality, experience, and interests. The skills and knowledge she gained from this role were both incredibly helpful and interesting for her. “This opportunity allowed me to fully understand the requirements of successful application documents, as well as why they are required from an employer’s perspective.”

Lauren says that she strongly recommends other students apply to the Assistant Career and Recruitment Specialist role, and specifically encourages students majoring in Managing People and Organizations to consider the opportunity as it is relevant experience for those wanting to pursue a future in Humam Resources and similar industries. “This position is perfect for any Commerce Co-op or Management student who wants a convenient remote, part-time role where they can help others and develop a deeper understanding of the job search process.”

Applications for Winter 2024 Assistant Career and Recruitment Specialists are open now until Sunday, November 5^th! Click here to learn more and apply.

Meet Josh Wright, a Bachelor of Management student majoring in Managing Data and Information who is originally from Toronto. After choosing to attend Dalhousie, Josh knew he wanted to pursue a business-related degree, and determined that the Management program was the perfect fit. And once he learned there was an optional 8-month Management internship program, he felt it was a no brainer to apply. “I’ve always believed that a true grasp of any subject matter is achieved when theory meets practice. The internship program offered me the unique chance to immerse myself in a real business environment, face real-world challenges, and apply my classroom knowledge in tangible scenarios.”

Josh is currently completing his internship at Delphic Research, an AI-based research company which he found through his own job search. “The role was shaped around my skills, as it was not a previous listing that was posted online but rather came about through identifying where they needed help, the strengths that I have and what they wanted to teach me,” he says. “I had made it clear to my current supervisors in the interview that the marketing, management, and personal AI knowledge I have would be of great value to them. And they have certainly pushed and tested me on my knowledge.”

Josh started his job search early and invested effort and time to find a role and company he was truly excited about. After a few months of networking and interviewing, he was connected with the CEO of Delphic Research through a personal contact, who had shared Josh’s interests and how they were similar to the work Delphic is doing. “With a few brief discussions with other members of the Delphic Research team, and seeing where I could fit, they were very quick to want me on board! I attribute it to all the relationships I built and discussions I had along the way.”

As Josh’s position was created specifically for him, he hasn’t had a definitive job title or role, but he shares that for him, this has been a positive experience. “From the start, it was an extremely welcoming environment that clearly fosters and encourages deep thinking, problem solving, and creative ideas from each and every level of the company.” He found that knowing his work really mattered and that he is making an impact is something incredibly important to him. “I’ve ranged on projects from personally building out an RFP procedure that would later help train our team in the Philippines, to supporting our National Director on sales, to pitching with our CEO for a capital raise, and developing marketing strategies including traditional media and social media marketing to help hit our niche audiences.” Earlier this month, Josh was also tasked with organizing an event the company sponsored for the former Health Minister and former Premier of Ontario. “As an intern, it was certainly a project with high expectations, but also a unique opportunity to showcase how I perform under pressure.”

Josh says that he would wholeheartedly recommend the internship program to other Management students, and shares some advice from his own journey:

• Start Early: Begin your job search well in advance. The early start can provide a buffer to find and secure the right opportunity.
• Network Actively: Don’t underestimate the power of conversations. Talk to parents, friends, and friends of friends.
• Highlight Your Strengths: Companies value students who bring unique skills to the table.

Josh also emphasizes that the Management Internship program is not just about securing a job, it’s about gaining experience. “It’s about developing a range of skills and understanding the nuances of the corporate world. So, dive in with an open mind, be proactive, and make the most of this unique learning experience!”

Originally from Montreal, Margaux Hamel is a second-year Bachelor of Commerce Co-op student majoring in Finance. Despite only being a Dalhousie business student for just over a year, Margaux has already taken steps to expand her network and build relevant professional experience.

As a first-year student, Margaux decided to attend MCS’ Toronto Corporate Tour. “I had attended multiple events on campus through the year, but having the chance to go to Toronto to tour trading floors and offices was an opportunity I could not miss out on.” During the event, Margaux discovered potential career paths in her field of finance, grew her professional network, and had meaningful conversations with many industry professionals.

Towards the end of her first year, Margaux joined Women in Capital Markets (WCM), a national non-profit organization with the mission to accelerate equity, diversity, and inclusion across the finance industry. She attended the WIBA Conference last spring, where she had a chance to hear from Lara Zink, the now former CEO of Women in Capital Markets. She found her words incredibly inspiring and wanted to get even more involved with the organization, which led her to apply for the Campus Ambassador role for WCM. “I felt it was a great opportunity for me to get more involved with WCM, but also to help students at Dal feel like being a woman in capital markets is possible for them.”

Margaux’s role as Campus Ambassador is to connect WCM with events and contacts at Dalhousie while being the representative on campus for the team across the country. One of her larger goals is to increase awareness and grow the WCM community to universities all over Canada. Over the time in her position, Margaux has learned how many people are willing to help her and other students achieve success. Her role at WCM has given her the opportunity to be a part of the job process and has drastically shifted her mentality on job searches. She has started seeing this process as “who do you want working by your side for 4 months.”

Margaux’s advice for students wanting to become a campus ambassador is to jump in and don’t be afraid to apply. As many companies have campus ambassador positions, she feels it is a great way to get involved in an integrated opportunity bridging your schooling and career. “The team at WCM is so welcoming and are supportive. It’s a big network of women who want to inspire others to take leadership roles and it’s a great community to be apart of”.

As a second-year student, Margaux is now searching for her first co-op for the winter term. She says that it has been important to dedicate time to her job search every day, and to not get discouraged when an opportunity does not work out. “Trusting the process, being interested, and networking are big keys to success”.

Margaux is most looking forward to the learning aspect of her co-ops, particularly finding out what she likes and doesn’t like in a career. “As a second-year student and for my first co-op, I think it’s important to realize that you don’t know that much. Find a company that wants you to learn and grow with their support.” Margaux wants the chance to try as many things as possible to make the most out of this fantastic opportunity and to be remembered for her hard work making a positive impact on the team. “At the end of my four years at Dal and my three co-ops, I hope to have found something I am passionate about, and to be excited to go to work once I graduate.”

Meet Rachel Rovet, a fourth-year Bachelor of Commerce Co-op student majoring in Marketing and pursuing a certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Originally from Toronto, Ontario, Rachel chose Dalhousie because of its co-op program. She recognized early on that putting in time and effort to grow her professional network would be beneficial in her co-op job search. One way that Rachel did this was by requesting and conducting informational interviews. “I learned the significance of informational interviews through the Commerce Co-op Orientation course, and made it a practice to continuously connect with professionals throughout my co-op searches.”

While searching for her second co-op, Rachel discovered and applied for the Brand & Marketing Intern position at Interac Corp. “My strong interest in the role prompted me to utilize the Dalhousie Student Alumni portal on LinkedIn, which was recommended to me by the MCS team, to connect with a Dalhousie alumnus working at Interac,” she says. “One of the most invaluable assets I gained from MCS was the opportunity to connect with their network. This allowed me to connect with a Dalhousie alumnus working as the Digital Marketing Specialist at Interac, who was a mutual connection with a member of the MCS team.” Rachel says that the Dal alumnus working at Interac became a crucial contact after she requested an introduction from MCS and then conducted an informational interview.

Rachel recommends that other students consider informational interviews and adopt an approach of genuine curiosity about the other person’s work and experience. “In these conversations, in addition to inquiring about their role and experience as a marketing professional, I delved into the company, the team, and the intern position while gaining additional insight and advice for the interview process. I also always inquire if there are further connections they recommend reaching out to,” says Rachel. “Overall, informational interviews not only helped me gain important insights about the company but also showcased my genuine interest and enthusiasm for the role. Once I secured an interview for the Brand & Marketing Intern position, I had already conducted thorough research on the company, leveraging the personal connection, knowledge, and insights gained from our informational interview to help me stand out during the formal interview process.”

Rachel went on to complete both her second and third co-ops with Interac. Over the course of her time with the organization, she built confidence thanks to her encouraging and supportive team, which led to her actively participating and contributing insights and ideas. She learned that being curious, asking questions, and demonstrating an eagerness to learn were instrumental in excelling in a co-op. “In addition, I learned the importance of networking and building connections. Making an effort to set up coffee chats with new people from my team, other teams, and even agency partners has been valuable and helped me determine what areas of marketing I’m most interested in.”

The impact of her time at Interac on her career journey is evident by the fact that Rachel nominated her supervisor Matt Houghton for the 2022 Dalhousie Top Co-op Employer of the Year Award, which he won in the Financial Services category. “From the first week, the people were incredibly welcoming and inclusive, with almost everyone on the team setting up a one-on-one meeting to get to know me.” She also noted that her supervisor played a critical role in making her feel like a valuable part of their team. “His and the team’s encouragement to take initiative, share my opinions, and actively involve myself in various projects and campaigns made me feel like a truly valued team member.”

Meet Jasim Zoobi, a fourth-year Bachelor of Commerce Co-op student majoring in Marketing. Originally from Ghana, Kenya, and Lebanon, Jasim chose Dalhousie University to pursue his undergraduate degree. “To be able to complete a Commerce degree in four years with a year’s worth of work experience under my belt was an opportunity I simply could not pass up.”

As an international student, Jasim’s first exposure to the Canadian workforce was his first co-op as a Marketing Assistant at the Canada Games Centre. He used this opportunity to assess himself in a professional setting in a new country. His second co-op was at Dalhousie’s Management Career Services office as a Digital Marketing Assistant. In this position, he worked on several large marketing projects including promoting employer events and integrating Dalhousie’s new brand and design language into MCS’ marketing materials. He spent his final co-op this past summer at Job Junction/People Plus Consulting Ltd. as a Marketing and Communications Specialist and Workshop Facilitator. Jasim was able to take on many responsibilities with eight months of previous experience behind him, including marketing the company’s services, designing printouts for advertising spaces, managing the company’s social media platforms, and facilitating workshops.

“There are many skills I’ve learned during my co-ops, such as confidence. The organizations I’ve worked with placed trust in me and my ability. Knowing this gave me the confidence to trust in the work I deliver while knowing when to ask for assistance,” says Jasim. “Another skill I’ve built is process implementation. During my co-ops, I learned new techniques, design languages, calls-to-action, and more. I learned to suggest ways to implement these new things, and given the go-ahead, implement them into company processes.”

Throughout his time in the Commerce Co-op program so far, Jasim has attended many networking events and believes that it is one of the most important skills you can acquire as a business student and soon-to-be professional. “The networking opportunities I’ve attended have been invaluable to me. I was still quite new to networking when I attended Rowe Networking Night last year, so I was learning from conversations I was a part of, taking notes, and talking with as many people as I could to get out of my comfort zone.”

His networking opportunities even took him outside of Nova Scotia for MCS’ Toronto Corporate Tour this past winter. “Toronto Corporate Tour, I would say, was my best and most valuable networking experience. I formed so many new connections in a new city, learned of so many opportunities, received feedback from leaders in their field, and learned about the industry I aim to work in from people currently working there.”

For his student peers who are new to networking, Jasim has this advice to offer: “You are going to be nervous. You might not know what questions to ask. I sure didn’t at first, but you never really learn anything without stepping out of your comfort zone. One piece of advice that helped me was to think of networking as simply a conversation. It’s not an interview. Come with your personality, your smile, and your eagerness to learn about the person you’re talking to, the role they’re in, and the industry they’re part of. If you do that, you’ll walk out of every networking event in a better position than you walked in.”

Jasim also shares that networking has impacted his approach to job searching. “Networking made me realize that there’s much more to a job search than just reading job descriptions and looking at companies,” he says. “Dive into LinkedIn, search who works there, connect with people you have commonalities with, and have coffee chats with those who can. This will help you learn more about the job, the expectations, the culture, and other nuances to working there on top of what a job description can provide.”

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.”