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Student Spotlight: Emily Hewlett

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Emily Hewlett, originally from Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland and Labrador, is a third-year Bachelor of Commerce Co-op student majoring in Managing People and Organizations. “I chose Dalhousie because of its strong co-op program and the opportunity to stay on the east coast of Canada. Coming from a small town, I knew the co-op program would help me build connections and gain real-world experience before graduating,” she says. Halifax’s vibrant academic scene and proximity to her hometown were key factors in her decision to attend Dal.

Emily’s co-op journey so far has given her invaluable experience in two distinct HR roles. Her first co-op was at Killam Apartment REIT in Halifax, where she worked in recruitment. “I was involved in every part of the recruitment process—from posting jobs to screening resumes, scheduling interviews, and helping to build contracts.”  This role allowed her to develop essential organizational and communication skills that are crucial in human resources.

For her second co-op, Emily moved to Saint John, New Brunswick to work with Irving Oil in HR Governance and Administration. Her responsibilities included tracking legislation across 15 jurisdictions, researching how passed bills impacted the company, and reviewing policies to ensure compliance with regulations. “Moving to a new city and adjusting to a large corporate environment was a challenge, especially being away from home,” Emily reflects. “But the team at Irving Oil made me feel welcome, and with their support, I grew both personally and professionally.”

Despite facing personal challenges, Emily remained resilient. “There were times when I wanted to give up, but I stayed focused on my goal of learning and growing.” Her time in Saint John taught her the importance of embracing challenges as opportunities for growth. “I learned I’m stronger than I thought, and that if I set my mind to something, I can push through any obstacle.”

Looking ahead to her final co-op this summer with J.D. Irving in the Transportation and Logistics division, Emily is excited for the balance of familiar and new challenges. “I’m looking forward to the mix of recruitment and governance work, as well as learning new technologies and systems,” she says. Emily is also eager to return to Saint John and reconnect with friends made during her previous co-op.

As she nears graduation, Emily feels confident in her ability to navigate the job market. “By tailoring my applications to each role and applying lessons learned from my co-ops, I know the right opportunity will come,” she says.

Her advice to current and future co-op students? “Don’t shy away from opportunities outside your comfort zone. Even if the role isn’t what you expect, you’ll gain valuable skills.”

Student Spotlight: Shrina Shah

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Originally from Gujarat, India, Shrina Shah is a fourth-year student in the Bachelor of Commerce Co-op program, majoring in Marketing. “I chose Dal because I wanted to learn through real-world experiences, not just textbooks. The co-op program was exactly what I needed—it’s where learning really comes to life.” Halifax’s mix of small-town warmth and big-city ambition has been the perfect backdrop for her academic and professional development.

Shrina’s co-op journey provided her with hands-on experience in three different roles. Her first role was at Traffic Tech Inc., where she worked in customer service support. Though not marketing-focused, this role gave her valuable insight into how client communication impacts brand perception. “I learned how important customer relationships are to a brand’s image,” Shrina shares. This experience helped develop her communication and problem-solving skills, which would prove useful in her future roles.

For her next co-op, Shrina worked as a Digital Marketing Assistant for Dalhousie’s Management Career Services, managing social media content and contributing to marketing campaigns. “This role taught me how to craft messages for different audiences,” she says. “Data doesn’t lie—it’s essential for measuring success and making adjustments.” Shrina refined social media strategies, created compelling content, and analyzed digital engagement. This role solidified her passion for digital marketing, showing her how creativity and analytics come together to drive business results.

However, it was her role at Myra Media for her third and final co-op that truly solidified her desired career path. As a Digital Marketing & Analytics Specialist, Shrina had the opportunity to build marketing strategies from the ground up. “Myra Media was where everything clicked for me,” she explains. “I wasn’t just following instructions; I was creating solutions.” In this position, she took ownership of projects like market research, content creation, and campaign optimization. One of her key accomplishments was building a LinkedIn sales pipeline from scratch, which significantly improved lead generation. “Being the first co-op student at Myra meant I had to prove my value, and I embraced that challenge,” Shrina says. Her initiative and work ethic earned her a nomination for the Faculty of Management’s 2024 Co-op Student of the Year. “From day one, I acted like a full-time team member,” she reflects. “My manager gave me the confidence to share my ideas, which made a huge impact on the projects I worked on.”

Looking ahead, Shrina is eager to pursue a full-time role in digital marketing, ideally as an Account Coordinator or Digital Marketing Specialist. “I want to analyze data, understand why campaigns succeed or fail, and adjust strategies to drive results,” she says. With her co-op experiences shaping her professional growth, Shrina is excited to continue her career in digital marketing.

Student Spotlight: Kinan Almallah

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Kinan Almallah is a third-year Bachelor of Commerce Co-op student at Dalhousie, majoring in Finance. Originally from Syria, he moved to Halifax in 2019 to complete high school and has since made it his home. He chose Dalhousie for its strong co-op program, which provides hands-on experience and valuable industry connections. His passion for finance, especially capital markets and investment management, comes from his interest in analyzing markets and making data-driven decisions.

During his co-op journey so far, Kinan has gained experience at two financial institutions. At Nova Scotia Pension Services Corporation, he worked as an Investment Associate, rotating through different teams. “I got to see how investment decisions are made and learned a lot about portfolio management.” One key skill he developed was using Power BI for data analysis, which helped him improve his technical and decision-making abilities.

At MUFG Investor Services, he worked as a Junior Associate in Client Operations, tracking fund trades and reconciling financial statements. “I didn’t know much about fund administration before, but this experience showed me how important it is in finance.” This role helped him develop attention to detail and accuracy in financial reporting, which he sees as essential for a future in investment management.

Kinan has recently received recognition for his hard work by being named one of the 2025 Mackay Rising Finance Scholars. Named for Commerce alum Doug Mackay, this award was created by Dr. Greg Hebb to recognize students who achieve the highest combined grade in COMM 2202 Finance I and COMM 2203 Finance II. “It was great to see my efforts pay off and it motivated me to keep pushing forward.” He was also nominated for the 2024 Co-op Student of the Year for the Faculty of Management, which he sees as a reflection of the great mentors and colleagues who have supported him. “It felt rewarding to know that my contributions were appreciated.”

Recently, Kinan was part of Dalhousie’s winning team in the CFA Research Challenge for the Atlantic Canada Region, where they presented an equity research report. “It was a great learning experience, and I highly recommend it to finance students.”

Balancing job searching with academics can be challenging, but Kinan stays organized by setting aside specific time for applications and networking. “It’s all about staying proactive and managing your time well.” For students struggling to secure co-ops, he encourages persistence. “Many of my interviews happened closer to the start date, so don’t get discouraged.” He also stresses the importance of networking and continuously improving skills through online courses and extracurricular activities.

For his final co-op, Kinan hopes to work in investment management, private equity, or capital markets. “I’m looking for a place where I can keep learning and contribute in a meaningful way.”

Student Spotlight: Elise Malicki

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Elise Malicki, a fourth-year Bachelor of Commerce Co-op student majoring in International Business with a minor in Law, Justice & Society, has developed a strong professional foundation through diverse co-op experiences. Originally from Rockwood, Ontario, she chose Dalhousie for its co-op program and the opportunity to explore Canada’s east coast. “I wanted to challenge myself and experience something new, and Dalhousie provided the perfect combination of academics and real-world learning,” Elise shares. “The co-op program has been invaluable in shaping my career aspirations.”

Elise’s first co-op in winter 2023 with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency as a Communications Assistant was fully remote, reinforcing the importance of self-discipline and time management. It also provided clarity on her work preferences. “I learned that I thrive in an interactive, in-person environment where collaboration is key.”

For her second co-op at BoyneClarke LLP, Elise combined her interests in business and law as a Marketing Assistant. She managed their social media channels, attended industry events, and created a video that was showcased at an international law conference. “My supervisor, Cailin Winters, encouraged me to take ownership of projects, which deepened my interest in Intellectual Property and Music Copyright Law,” she says.

For her final co-op, Elise was a Strategic Planning and Marketing Analyst at Waterford Energy Services Inc. She played a pivotal role in FloatMed, a floating wind and solar conference in Italy, by securing speakers, sponsors, and media partnerships. “When my employer first approached me with the idea, the scope was broad, and the expectations were high. Seeing months of planning come to life in Italy was an unforgettable experience,” she says. “It reinforced my ability to adapt, problem solve, and manage large-scale initiatives with confidence.”

Beyond her co-ops, Elise is actively involved in student societies, serving as Strategic Growth Coordinator for the Women in Business Association, Graduate Chair for the Dalhousie Commerce Society, VP of Engagement for the Happy Human Project, and VP External for the Dalhousie Marketing Association. These roles have strengthened her leadership, networking, and event planning skills. “Being part of these organizations has helped me build confidence and take initiative in ways I hadn’t imagined.”

Looking ahead, Elise plans to take a year to travel, work, and prepare for law school, with interests in focusing on Intellectual Property, Music Copyright, and Renewable Energy Law. “I’m keeping an open mind about my career path. The best opportunities often come when you least expect them. The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is to embrace new challenges,” she says. “The biggest growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone. Whether through co-op, societies, or networking, taking initiative has been key. I plan to continue building meaningful connections and seeking out opportunities that push me forward.”

Student Spotlight: Noah Stevens

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Noah Stevens, a Bachelor of Commerce Co-op student majoring in Finance, is an aspiring financial professional who has already acquired a strong background in sales and business development. He chose Dalhousie for its co-op program, which provides hands-on experience and the opportunity to play football at the university level. “Dalhousie gave me the perfect combination of academic and athletic opportunities. The co-op program has been a game-changer for my professional growth.”

Noah’s first co-op was with Causeway Seafood Market, where he worked in sales and business development. This role exposed him to logistics, client outreach, and cold calling. “I spent a lot of time generating leads, which helped me build resilience and confidence,” he explains. The experience taught him persistence and adaptability—key skills for any finance professional.

For his second co-op, Noah joined PepsiCo Foods Canada as a Sales Intern based in Bedford. He started by working with regional sales representatives and later assisted in communicating execution strategies across Atlantic Canada. “One of my most impactful projects was auditing Dollarama stores in Nova Scotia,” he says. “It refined my data analytics skills and gave me the chance to present my findings to executives.” His work identified an opportunity for growth within the Atlantic business, set to make an impact in 2025.

Beyond his co-op experiences, Noah is one of the founders of 1 RUN, an initiative created in response to a teammate’s cancer diagnosis. “Our first 5K run/walk raised $15,000 for the QEII hospital’s Patient Assistance Program,” he shares. He credits the co-op program for equipping him with the communication and networking skills needed to secure sponsorship. “1 RUN wouldn’t be what it is without our team—we all bring different strengths, and that’s what makes it work,” he adds.

Looking ahead, Noah has three main goals: expanding 1 RUN, securing a position at a Big Five bank after graduation, and earning his CFA certification. “I want to start in lending,” he says. “It’s a great way to build a strong foundation and develop a network that will open doors for me.” When it comes to networking, Noah is intentional. “A well-crafted introduction or mutual connection makes all the difference,” he explains. “Networking is one of the most valuable skills you can develop.”

For students considering entrepreneurship or launching an initiative, Noah’s advice is simple: build a strong team. “Surround yourself with people who share your vision and complement your strengths,” he says. “A great team is the foundation of any successful venture.” As he moves forward, Noah remains committed to leveraging his experiences and connections to make an impact in his career and community.

Student Spotlight: Taylor Davis

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Taylor Davis, a third-year Commerce Co-op student originally from Toronto, Ontario, is majoring in Entrepreneurship. She chose Dalhousie to experience life on the east coast, inspired by her parents’ fond stories of the region from their time at Dal. Drawn to the Commerce program for its co-op component, Taylor enjoys applying classroom concepts to real work experiences, enhancing both her academic and professional growth.

During her first co-op as a Market Research and Events Coordinator with Dalhousie’s Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Co-op department, Taylor gained insights into her working preferences and skills. While she enjoyed market research, she realized that people-oriented roles suit her better long-term. Managing long-term and short-term projects simultaneously improved her time management, task prioritization, and communication skills, which will serve her well in future roles. “In my role, it was absolutely crucial to manage my time effectively,” she says. “There was one ongoing project from day one that lasted until the end of my term, and I had to complete this project while simultaneously being assigned other short- and long-term projects. I had never had a role with so many rolling starts and deadlines, and all of a sudden I was planning each day out because every day would look different. I definitely got better at planning in advance and communicating with my supervisors about my progress.”

For her second co-op as an Administrative Assistant at CIBC, networking proved crucial. Without being assigned a team, Taylor proactively reached out across departments, offering support and identifying opportunities. This experience taught her the importance of building connections, taking the lead, and strengthening interpersonal skills to generate meaningful work. “There was no room for nerves, I had to jump right into making connections for myself in order to generate meaningful work.”

Balancing a job search with school can be challenging, but Taylor made it manageable by integrating the search into her daily routine. By treating it as a regular task during library time, she stayed organized and consistent without feeling overwhelmed.

After gaining corporate experience, Taylor emphasizes the importance of punctuality in building trust. Arriving 15 minutes early each day ensures she is prepared to start on time, creating a positive impression and setting a productive tone. “Being punctual helps people see you as reliable, hardworking, and trustworthy. Then from a personal perspective, it gets my day off to a good start because I don’t feel like I’m just showing up to clock my hours. I’m showing up because I am motivated to get work done.”

Taylor has developed a passion for private wealth and wealth management and plans to continue exploring this career path. Looking ahead, she intends to apply her lessons on trust and dependability to foster strong relationships with colleagues and supervisors, ensuring mutual support for future challenges and opportunities.

Personalizing your myCareer Account (Name, Pronouns, Phone, etc.)

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Quick Steps:

  1. Log in to myCareer > Select “My Account” at the top of the screen
  2. Scroll down the page to enter your First Name Used and check the corresponding feature to apply this name across myCareer, identify your pronouns, or provide a secondary phone number and your consent to text.
  3. Press Save at the bottom of the screen.

If you require guidance on your name or pronoun usage decisions, contact Dalhousie’s office of Human Rights and Equity Services or a 2SLGBTQ+ Advisor for support.

For more detail on the steps above, review the full step-by-step directions below.

There are several ways in myCareer that you can personalize your profile and provide more information on how you would like to be addressed and contacted. All the following changes can be made from the “My Account” tab of your myCareer dashboard.

1. Updating your First Name Used:

Within your My Account tab, enter your First Name Used, and “check” the box immediately below the field. Press Save.

Your First Name Used will now be displayed (instead of your Legal First Name) within your user profile, job applicant lists and interview schedules for employers, appointment bookings with staff, and your Co-Curricular Record.

If you enter your First Name Used, and do not check the box to apply the name across the site:

  • Onlyyour Legal First Name will appear to employers across the myCareer system
  • However, staff will see both but will default to your identified First Name Used when communicating with you and employers

To avoid this discrepancy, always check the box if entering your First Name Used.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This change affects the myCareer system only. Access DalOnline to edit your First Name Used for other Dalhousie systems (such as Brightspace, myDal, etc.) and/or consult the University’s Student Guide for options on transcript updates.

2. Updating Your Pronouns:

Further down the screen, you will find a section where you can enter your Pronouns. These are the part of speech used to refer to someone in the third person (E.g., She/Her/Hers, He/Him/His, They/Them/Theirs, Ze/Hir/Hirs, and many more).

Your pronouns will not appear to employers or anywhere else within the myCareer system but can be referenced by staff to inform how they can respectfully refer to you.

3. Secondary Phone Number and Consent to Text

If you wish to provide a secondary/cell phone number, you can enter that further down the screen and indicate whether you consent to be texted via this number. This can be utilized by staff to reach you should we have important alerts or reminders on key co-op communications or deadlines.

For more myCareer tips, consult our other Student User Guide tutorials.

Accepting Terms and Conditions in myCareer

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Note: The “Accept Terms And Conditions” link will only appear to students once recruitment for the applicable work term has been opened by MCS.

Quick Steps:

  1. Log in to myCareer > Management Career Services
  2. Scroll down the page > Select “Accept Terms and Conditions” for the appropriate upcoming work term.

For more detail on the steps above, review the full step-by-step directions below.

Before students can review myCareer co-op job postings or submit a self-developed work term record for an upcoming work term, they must review and accept Management Career Services’ Terms & Conditions which outline key responsibilities and regulations for all students throughout their job search efforts. The option for students to accept Terms & Conditions will only appear once recruitment for the upcoming work term period has been opened by MCS. Students need to re-accept Terms & Conditions at the beginning of each work term job search period to be eligible for posting or work term record submission access.

Follow these instructions to review and accept your Terms & Conditions in myCareer:

  1. Log in to myCareer: https://mycareer.dal.ca/login/student.htm
  2. Click on Management Career Services in the main menu (left-hand side of the screen if viewing from a laptop/desktop computer)
  3. From the Management Career Services dashboard, you will see a variety of Quick Links. Scroll down the page past those Quick Links to review your upcoming Work Term schedule. If recruitment for the upcoming work term period has been opened by MCS, you should see “Accept Terms and Conditions” under your next upcoming work term period.
  4. Once you select “Accept Terms and Conditions” a pop-up window with will appear. Read the content and select “Accept” at the bottom of the pop-up window.
  5. If all other eligibility requirements have been met and the MCS work term job postings have been already opened to students, then once you have accepted the Terms & Conditions you will be able to access the MCS work term job postings, and the option to Add a Work Term Record will now appear on your profile.

If you have already accepted your Terms & Conditions within the correct upcoming term, but still have no access, then either the postings have not yet been opened to students or the following eligibility requirements may also need to be met (contact MCS for more details as needed):

  • Completion of outstanding co-op/internship preparation tasks
  • Work term course registration in DalOnline
  • Proof of a valid Co-op Work Permit provided to the MCS office (for international students only)

***

For more myCareer tips, consult our other Student User Guide tutorials.

Student Spotlight: Sydney Saunders

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Sydney Saunders is a third-year Bachelor of Commerce student majoring in Finance. Originally from Toronto, she moved to Halifax to attend Dalhousie, where she was drawn by the hands-on learning that comes along with the co-op component of the Commerce program.

Currently, Sydney is working as a Business Analyst at RBC for her second co-op term with the company. “The group at RBC I am working with is Personal and Commercial Banking, which focuses on project management, solving issues within the bank and developing solutions to make the changes necessary or new solutions come to life,” she says. “What I enjoy most about the job is that you are never working on the same task twice, and there is always a new project.” Sydney also enjoys working with her team, who she says are very welcoming and helpful.

In the past year and a half, remote work has been a part of many students’ co-op experiences, and Sydney is no exception. “In terms of benefits, it allows me to have a flexible schedule and the opportunity to work from anywhere,” she says. “The downside of working from home on a co-op is that you cannot go into the office and experience working in the corporate environment and meeting your team face-to-face.”

Sydney attributed her growing skill of networking to helping her land her position at RBC. “I found my current role through my student ambassador role, where I was asked to assist with prototype testing for the group I work in now. From there, I reached out and asked if they were hiring within that area, went through the hiring process, and ended up landing the job.” She also acknowledges the resources available at MCS that supported her in her job search. “MCS was beneficial when fine-tuning my resume and cover letter when my initial job search started.”

Sydney’s advice for you:

  • Never pass up an opportunity.
  • Don’t be afraid to try something outside of your comfort zone. You grow from situations where you are challenged.
  • Always keep an open mind when going into a new role.

Pronouns: She/Her

Student Spotlight: Mikayla Manderville

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Originally from New Hampshire, USA, Mikayla Manderville is a third-year Bachelor of Commerce student, majoring in marketing. “I chose Dal because of its co-op program. I loved the idea that I would have the opportunity to try out different jobs that interested me. At the time that I applied to Dal, I had no idea what I wanted to do, so the co-op program is a great opportunity for students like me to figure that out.”

Mikayla is currently working as a Special Projects Manager at 365 Experience here in Halifax for her fall co-op. 365 Experience is a rental property management company that manages Airbnb rentals, as well as an electric scooter rental service for residential building tenants called AirScoot. “I stumbled into the path of Avery Birch, CEO at 365 Experience, during my first co-op job search and had talked to him briefly. I fell in love with the role from our conversation and decided I wanted to circle back around for my second co-op,” says Mikayla. “My CRS Jonathan Perry helped me learn how to utilize LinkedIn for job searching and networking. From there I connected with Avery on LinkedIn and was able to secure an interview which led to me getting the job!”

Mikayla shares that her responsibilities include a variety of day-to-day and larger project management tasks. “On a daily basis I am responsible for managing the strategy we use to price our Airbnb listings. I begin by analyzing the available market and make price adjustments where necessary to optimize occupancy. Additionally, I have created and managed our new Customer Relationship Management system, which was put in place to manage lead generation. I am responsible for the outreach that we send to those leads as well.”

So far this term, Mikayla says she is enjoying her talented team and the autonomy over her work. “There is no task that is out of reach for me to try, or a responsibility I do not have the opportunity to manage. Since day one I have had the opportunity to vocalize interest in projects that I want to take the lead on. Just a few weeks ago, my co-workers and I sat in on a meeting with a local brewery to discuss a potential partnership and we sealed the deal! This is just one example of the autonomy we have as co-op students to take ideas and act on them.”

While it feels great when tasks come naturally, equally as important are the aspects of a co-op that are challenging and result in both personal and professional growth. “My new role has also been pushing me out of my comfort zone. We recently had a hiring week at the company for the next co-op term. Avery likes to have the current co-op students take control of the hiring process until the final interview. This was a bit challenging for me because I had never interviewed someone before. I had to ask valuable questions to get to know the candidates in such a short amount of time. However, it ended up being one of my favorite job tasks so far this work term!”

Mikayla’s advice for you:

  • Utilize the resources at your disposal, especially your MCS Career and Recruitment Specialist. Searching for your next co-op can be daunting but your CRS is there to help. If you vocalize your goals for co-op, they offer much support in the journey to reaching that goal. They are there to help you, so let them!

Instagram: @mmanderville

Pronouns: She/her

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