Student Spotlight: Aadhith Kumaresan

September 9, 2024 Management Career Services Leave a Comment

Aadhith Kumaresan, a third-year Bachelor of Management student majoring in Data and Information, comes to Dalhousie from Chennai, India, which is home to the second longest beach in the world. Although he is only in his third year, Aadhith is already taking steps to gain real-world work experience that is relevant to his program and his future career.

Aadith learned about Management Career Services (MCS) during his first year at Dal and engaged with his Career & Recruitment Specialist early to review his resume and cover letter, receive job search advice, and prepare for interviews prior to his summer job search. This past summer, he worked as a Summer Analyst at RBC Capital Markets. His role included supporting US, Canadian, and EMEA Trading desks through Corporate Actions processing. He managed fixed income claims, as well as managed and processed a number of tasks related to corporate action events. During his time at RBC, Aadhith had the opportunity to work on automating three projects which reduced 45 minutes of time spent per day in corporate actions and fixed income procedures.

Next year, Aadhith is completing an 8-month internship as part of the optional Management Internship Program. He decided to apply for the program because he believes it will help him build relevant industry work experience, giving him the opportunity to apply the skills he learns in class while learning new ones. He says that getting paid and having course credit for the internship is a great bonus, and that it gives international students like himself the opportunity to gain Canadian work experience.

Aadhith is also involved on campus in several student societies. Some of the societies he participates in are the Dalhousie Investment Society, SURGE Innovation and Dal Innovates. He enjoys being a part of these societies because they are “a great place to meet like-minded people and receive access to society specific resources and skills.” He believes that it is important to get involved in student societies because of the experiences each society can offer.

Here is Aadhith’s advice for you:

It is never too early to start your job search
Network and build consistent relationships with people in roles you would like to work in to help build your roadmap
Volunteering, job shadowing, and building or contributing to projects are great ways to gain relevant experience

Student Spotlight: Camryn Fitzgerald

September 2, 2024 Management Career Services 2 Comments

Camryn Fitzgerald is a third-year Commerce Co-op student majoring in International Business. Originally from Toronto, Camryn chose Dalhousie for its unique combination of vibrant atmosphere and proximity to the sea. The Commerce Co-op program, with its emphasis on co-operative education, was also a major factor in her decision. Camryn values the chance to gain real-world experience and build a professional network before graduation.

In summer 2022 at the end of her first year in the program, Camryn worked as a Research and Marketing Intern at Hunter’s International Insurance in Toronto. “This role gave me a solid understanding of office dynamics, professional relationships, and the confidence to voice my opinions in a work setting.” This experience and understanding of corporate culture set her up for success during her first co-op job search.

Camryn then completed her first co-op in winter 2023 with Izzy Platform, a Calgary-based tech company specializing in hotline software for not-for-profit sexual assault support agencies. Working remotely from Halifax as a Marketing and Business Development Coordinator, Camryn managed the organization’s social media presence and developed long-term sales strategies. “This role allowed me to build off of my academic knowledge, learn marketing strategies and workflows, and improve my skills to be a better online employee.”

For her second co-op, Camryn joined the Mark Anthony Group. As a Sales Coordinator with the Bacchus Frechette team (luxury wines) in Toronto, she handled report creation, LCBO liaison, and consignment orders. “I not only felt the full support and appreciation of my team, but across the entire office. This role was where I realized the importance of company culture and the impact it has on performance.”

Camryn expressed interest in an international experience, which her manager supported, leading to her third co-op at Mark Anthony Brands International in Dublin, Ireland. As an Assistant Global Brand Manager for Development & Emerging Brands, she worked on market analyses, new brand development, and rebranding projects. “The company culture was just as welcoming and supportive as the Toronto office, and I could not feel luckier to be connected to such an open-minded, forward-thinking, delightful company,” she says. “Moving to Dublin solo and adapting to a new culture and work environment was a significant personal and professional achievement. It has allowed me to grow more than I thought possible in such a short amount of time, and I have made connections I am sure I will have indefinitely.”

Networking has also been crucial in Camryn’s career development. “Networking is everything. If it wasn’t for my boss in my last role, I would have never made it to Ireland. I believe people are inherently nice and want to mentor and support young people. By always taking initiative and being grateful, coworkers and bosses will recognize you for that.”

Camryn’s advice for maximizing co-op experiences includes being authentic and proactive. “Show your personality and engage fully in your role. The more you put yourself out there, the more you’ll gain from each opportunity.”

Here is Camryn’s advice for students who are interested in pursuing an international work term:

Inquire with your boss, HR, and even interviewers about what international opportunities are available.
Don’t to be afraid or intimidated by the visa process.
When you have questions, find a service email and ask them.
Give yourself ample time for the application process.
Keep an open mind, absorb as much as you can, and stay in touch. Expanding your network with genuine relationships and connections will prove to be essential to all careers.

Connecting with the Community: Dalhousie’s Faculty of Management Hosts Business After Hours Event

August 27, 2024 Management Career Services Leave a Comment

Dalhousie’s Faculty of Management, together with its co-op and career services office Management Career Services (MCS), is strategically focused on engaging with the business community; not only by connecting student talent to industry, but also by creating opportunities for those industry and community members to connect with one another.

In June, the Faculty of Management hosted the Halifax Chamber of Commerce in the Kenneth C. Rowe Building for a Business After Hours event. The Faculty has a long-standing partnership with the Chamber, through sponsorship opportunities such as the Halifax Business Awards, and through the Faculty’s Advisory Board, on which Halifax Chamber of Commerce (HCC) President & CEO, Patrick Sullivan, is a valued member.

The Business After Hours event also provided MCS with a unique opportunity to collaborate with another valued partner, BNI Maritimes, to deliver a networking workshop. “While most Business After Hours events are exclusively networking, as an educational institution we were pleased to provide a learning opportunity for Chamber members,” says Robert Wooden, Director of Management Career Services.

This event is just one example of how the Faculty of Management and MCS engages with the community and provides opportunities for community members to learn about business programs and meet students one-on-one. “Events such as these are critical as they allow a two-way conversation between students, recruiters and faculty to better understand evolving career opportunities and paths, assess potential fit and organically grow individual networks; a critical part of the process for all parties involved,” says Akash Rastogi, Lead Strategist at Ocean Frontier Institute.

Dalhousie’s Strategic Plan for 2021-2026, Third Century Promise, encourages public access to university activities and facilities. Events such as Business After Hours offers Dal as the location for connections not only with but between members of the community. “I had many insightful discussions that have developed into continued conversations about shared work in our communities,” says Kerry Tench, Manager, Fund Development at Shelter Movers. “The event’s welcoming and dynamic atmosphere, along with the learning opportunity provided, made it a valuable and enriching experience.”

At the Faculty level, the Faculty of Management is strategically focused on developing alumni and employer networks to grow, nurture, and support a diverse and inclusive community. “Networking plays a crucial role in building strong, resilient communities that can address challenges and capitalizing on opportunities collectively. A great way to do this is to attend the many networking events that are hosted by local organizations like the Halifax Chamber of Commerce,” says John Thompson, Owner of Bin There Dump That Halifax. “The event at the Dalhousie Faculty of Management is a great example of this. The partnership between education and business is an important one, and by hosting events like this, Dal enhances this relationship for both students and businesses alike. Being a Dal graduate, I am very happy that my association with the Faculty of Management continues long after my student days.”

Dalhousie’s work-integrated learning business programs connect deeply with a goal of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, Accessing a Skilled Workforce. Ensuring youth retention through work-integrated learning that leads to successful job placement in the future are goals of both the HCC and the Faculty of Management. “The highlight of Business After Hours for me was to see and get connected with the talented students of Dalhousie University, which truly showcased the dedicated efforts of the Faculty of Management to support their students. It clearly demonstrated a strong commitment to student success and community engagement,” says Basam Murtaza Tahoor, Founder at Tahoors Creative Marketing.

To learn more about upcoming engagement opportunities such as this one, connect with MCS’ Employer Development team.

Student Spotlight: Lauren Yellan

August 12, 2024 Management Career Services Leave a Comment

Lauren Yellan, a second-year student from Oakville, Ontario, is currently navigating her summer semester in the Commerce Co-op program. Her decision to join the program at Dalhousie was driven by a desire to gain relevant work experience through her co-op opportunities, as well as and the draw of Atlantic Canada’s vibrant culture and scenic landscapes.

Lauren completed her first co-op in winter 2024 at Digital Nova Scotia (DNS) as a Marketing Communications Coordinator. There, she honed her skills in content creation and video editing, which included initiating a TikTok presence for DNS, achieving impressive engagement metrics and contributing significantly to the organization’s digital outreach strategies. “It felt like one big family—everyone was very welcoming and eager to help the co-op students learn and grow.” Lauren shares that the team’s welcoming culture and proactive mentorship approach enabled her to integrate seamlessly into the organization and amplify her learning. This inclusive atmosphere left a lasting impression, influencing Lauren’s approach to collaboration and professional development.

Lauren’s first co-op was not her first experience with the professional world, however. Driven by her passion for social media and entrepreneurship, she founded Dueljewelss in 2020 during the peak of the COVID-19 lockdown. “I launched Dueljewelss at the age of 15 as a way to earn money during isolation when part-time jobs weren’t available.” What began as a platform for selling second-hand clothing evolved into a thriving jewellery business. Lauren’s strategic pivot to room decor products catered specifically to the student demographic in Nova Scotia.

Reflecting on her job search experience, Lauren shares a memory from her first year at Dal, when she applied for a digital marketing role that was advertised for second- and third-year students. “My application was initially declined, but I reached out to the hiring manager, expressing my strong interest in the role and my passion for marketing. I requested a chance to chat in person.” After proactive outreach, she secured an interview and then an offer. “Anything is possible if you believe in yourself and have confidence!”

Here is Lauren’s advice for you:

Seize opportunities, even if they seem initially beyond reach.
Don’t judge a job solely based on its description. Research the opportunity and the organization.
Look up past Dalhousie co-op students who have held similar roles to see their experiences.
Start your business in something that you are passionate about.

Looking ahead, Lauren remains committed to expanding Dueljewelss while pursuing diverse co-op experiences to further enrich her skill set.

Student Spotlight: Beth Langille

July 8, 2024 Management Career Services 1 Comment

Beth Langille is a third-year Commerce Co-op student majoring in Marketing. Her co-op journey began with Shannex in winter 2023, where she worked in a Marketing and Communications role. This opportunity allowed her to collaborate with a diverse team and engage in challenging projects that significantly contributed to her degree’s practical application. Her responsibilities included content creation and campaign coordination, tasks that have prepared her well for her current role as a Content and Campaign Coordinator during her final co-op term at Shannex.

In between her co-ops at Shannex, Beth worked as a Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator at the Canadian Naval Memorial Trust for her second co-op. There, she not only learned about the rich naval history of Halifax, but also applied her skills to promote the organization’s initiatives. “It was a fun challenge to prove that everything has a story to be shared and can be used for marketing efforts to grow a brand.” Notably, she organized a successful inaugural holiday event, forging lasting connections with public figures and the Department of National Defense.

Beth’s enthusiasm for marketing stems from her love of collaboration and the opportunity to make a lasting impact through teamwork. “While teamwork can sometimes be challenging, it is so exciting to get a project across the finish line with a group of great people who have similar long-term goals.”

Throughout her time in the Commerce Co-op program, Beth has prioritized collaboration to build a robust portfolio of projects. Her involvement with the Dalhousie Commerce Society as the VP Internal Operations has further enhanced her leadership and organizational skills. This role allows her to contribute to the student community while managing additional responsibilities alongside her co-op commitments.

Networking has also played a pivotal role in Beth’s journey. “Attending networking events and using LinkedIn over the past few years has been a great chance to grow my personal brand, image and network with local professionals I have met along the way.” She shares that she views networking as a critical part of her upcoming job search post-graduation. “The networking process is important because it shows your future employer that you are driven in any task at hand and will apply that drive in your work once you secure the job.”

Here is Beth’s advice for you:

Be friendly and professional while networking.
Make eye contact.
Remember that intimidating people are human too. Research common interests to establish a memorable connection.
When you showcase interpersonal skills, recruiters see you as a valuable addition to their team, which is crucial for project success.

Student Spotlight: Lathika Saravanan

June 10, 2024 Management Career Services Leave a Comment

Lathika Saravanan, a second-year Commerce Co-op student majoring in Finance, describes her heritage as “a blend of Indian roots and Saudi Arabian upbringing.” To Lathika, her journey at Dalhousie is not just about academic excellence, but also about breaking stereotypes and pursuing her passions. “The world of Commerce has captivated me since high school, with its intricate dance of money and global economic dynamics. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about understanding the heartbeat of economies and how they shape our world.”

During her first co-op in winter 2024, Lathika worked with Scotia Wealth Management as a Service Support Officer. In this role, she played a pivotal part in the Private Banking team, ensuring adherence to regulations and internal procedures while delivering exceptional service to clients.

While Lathika didn’t work on specific projects, her contributions were nonetheless significant. By tackling various tasks aimed at enhancing team efficiency, such as organizing client data and managing administrative duties, she enabled her colleagues to focus more on delivering personalized service—an accomplishment that underscores her dedication and commitment to excellence. According to Lathika, her biggest accomplishment this term was her coffee chats with coworkers. “I’ve managed to keep my network tight knit. It’s like nurturing a friendship garden, where trust and camaraderie bloom. Mixing work with a bit of fun, that’s the secret sauce!”

Beyond her professional endeavours, Lathika is an active member of the Dalhousie Quantitative Finance Society, a relatively new society at Dal. As a representative, she strives to support its growth by connecting with students and imparting valuable insights about the society and recent finance news, underscoring her passion for fostering growth and learning among peers.

Through another student society, Lathika had the opportunity to participate in the DALIS (Dalhousie Investment Society) Stock Pitch Competition this year, which she describes as a nerve-wracking yet rewarding experience. Despite initial challenges, her team secured third place—a testament to their resilience and determination. “Winning isn’t everything. What truly matters is putting yourself out there, embracing the opportunity to grow and learn. As a student, that should be your primary focus.”

Lathika shares that networking has played a crucial role in her co-op journey so far, especially in securing her first opportunity. Embracing platforms like LinkedIn opened doors to unexpected encounters and connections, ultimately leading to meaningful opportunities. “The more active and engaged you are on LinkedIn, the more employers will take notice. It’s where sincerity in your job search shines through.”

Here is Lathika’s advice for you:

Prioritize learning and growth over winning.
Embrace opportunities for personal and professional development.
Be authentic and proactive.
Seize every opportunity to make your presence known.
Utilize QR codes provided at networking events to continue making connections.

Infusing Fresh Perspectives and Insights: How non-profit organization The Get REAL Movement leveraged funding to recruit Dalhousie business students

May 29, 2024 Management Career Services Leave a Comment

At Management Career Services, we understand the important role funding plays in student recruitment for many employer partners. Not only does our team equip itself with the expertise to help you navigate government funding such as the Co-operative Education Incentive (CEI) and the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP), we steward the Dal Business Work Term Subsidy Program. The program is available on a first come, first served basis to eligible employer partners; organizations that cannot hire without funding and were not able to secure funding through other sources.

With no application deadline, this program fits into any recruitment schedule. Organizations may be eligible to receive 50% of a student’s salary of $18/hr plus vacation pay. This subsidy program operates similarly to a scholarship, where funds are delivered directly from Dalhousie to the student.

Since 2020, nearly 30 work terms have been partially funded through the Dal Business Work Term Subsidy Program. The Get REAL Movement is one of the organization that has been selected for this funding; a national non-profit organization combatting 2SLGBTQ+ discrimination, racism, and bullying in schools, summer camps, and workplaces through education and support impacting more than one million youth annually. Chris Studer, Executive Director of The Get REAL Movement, shares his experience hiring Dalhousie business students with support from funding.

“We hire students in part because so much of our programming is youth-focused, and so working with young people is a must. We also hire students because we founded the organization when we were in university ourselves, and so we have always believed in the power and abilities of young people who want to work hard to give back and make positive change in their own communities,” says Chris. “Working with business students from Dal has provided and infused our organization with fresh perspectives and important insights that have led to important new systems, milestones, partners, campus engagement, and most of all, new members of our Get REAL community, who we are still in touch with to this day!”

Chris was first introduced to Dalhousie’s Commerce Co-op program in 2018 by a friend, whose step-sister was looking for a summer co-op.

“That student was Caitlin Ladd, who came on board and to say she exceeded our expectations that summer would be putting it mildly. We then found out about the funding opportunities that existed for Dal co-op partners and non-profit organizations, and as working with Caitlin was such a great experience, we decided to apply for funding and were able to hire Ella Cha, who was also outstanding. Fast forward to four years later and we had the need and capacity to take on another student, and so we worked with Dal once again for support. Flavia da Cruz Silveira just finished her co-op with us in March.”

Chris has no hesitation in sharing that their experience with Dal business students has been outstanding across the board, including their most recent hire. “Flavia has been a perfect example of that high calibre of work. Throughout Flavia’s semester with us, she contributed to many different aspects and areas of the organization.” Chris explains that Flavia’s tasks varied in depth and breadth, from outreach, to research, to working on the ground to successfully lead the rebuilding of the Get REAL Dalhousie Chapter. “Flavia’s impact has been significant. She has also been just a wonderful person to work with, someone any business or organization would be lucky to have on their team.”

For some organizations, the biggest barrier to student recruitment is financial constraints, and this barrier can be even more prominent depending on the industry or sector. “In the non-profit and charity world, the work is needed but the resources are scarce. We have been extremely grateful to have been a recipient of funding support from Dalhousie,” says Chris. “In addition to this funding being crucial, and thus highly impactful, the entire process – from the application, to the logistics – is extremely manageable from start to finish, with support from Management Career Services every step of the way.”

If you are a small- or medium-sized enterprise interested in learning about funding options to support your Dalhousie business student recruitment, contact Joseph Habchi at ceibus@dal.ca.

“If having the kind of person on your team who brings valuable business acumen, fresh eyes for opportunities, new perspectives for solving old headaches, and a finger on the pulse of university and college age students is important to you, I could not recommend this co-op program more,” says Chris.

Accepting Terms and Conditions in myCareer

May 7, 2024 Management Career Services Leave a Comment

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:

Log in to myCareer > Management Career Services
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:

Log in to myCareer: https://mycareer.dal.ca/login/student.htm
Click on Management Career Services in the main menu (left-hand side of the screen if viewing from a laptop/desktop computer)
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.
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.
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: Hannah Brown

May 6, 2024 Management Career Services Leave a Comment

Hannah Brown is a third-year Commerce Co-op student majoring in Entrepreneurship with a certificate in Marketing. Originally from Guelph, Ontario, Hannah chose Dal because of the co-op program and the excitement of experiencing an unfamiliar environment.

In winter 2023, Hannah completed her first work term at Doing Things Simply, an audio-visual company based in Toronto. “At Doing Things Simply, I was the Support Services Coordinator. I would help the team schedule appointments with their clients.” During her time at Doing Things Simply, she quickly connected with her manager, as they were both new to the company. Throughout her work term, Hannah collaborated with her manager to reorganize the company’s procedures and processes, transforming how the operation runs.

She then worked at the Society for Enterprise Education and Development (SEED) for her next co-op in fall 2023, a non-profit organization specializing in increasing youth employability skills. There, Hannah was an Administrative Communications Coordinator and her main focus was creating content for their social media channels. She also had the opportunity to contribute to the Skills2SucSEED (S2S) program, a series of workshops for students. “S2S is a workshop program that works with around 20 youth at a time to help them learn employability skills, and it ends with a work placement.” The program was a highlight for Hannah. “My favourite thing about working with SEED was that I was able to work with the youth in the program during workshops.”

For her next venture and final co-op, Hannah has decided to do an Entrepreneurial Work Term (EWT) this summer, focusing on growing her subscription box service. Her company currently has two products, one designed for students, and the other contains local Nova Scotian products. Hannah says that she has wanted to pursue entrepreneurship for quite some time, stemming from her desire to run her own business in the future.

Throughout her time at Dal, Hannah often leveraged the assistance offered by Management Career Services (MCS). “MCS was a really big help in finding my first two co-ops. I found both through myCareer. I think that the variation of jobs is great and having them all in the same spot and not having to look too far for them is very helpful.”

Here is Hannah’s advice for you:

Start early while looking for co-op. If you find something you are interested in, be sure to jump on it.
If you have an idea, pitch it to someone. There are a lot of people that are interested in helping you if you are willing to put yourself out there.

Student Spotlight: Jayden Scott

April 8, 2024 Management Career Services Leave a Comment

Jayden Scott is a third-year Commerce Co-op student from Calgary, Alberta pursuing a Marketing major and certificates in Entrepreneurship and Data Management.

Jayden started his co-op journey in winter 2023 as a Sales and Marketing Intern at the Kanas Corporation, a construction company based out of Calgary. When Jayden started, the company had no social media presence. Therefore, it was up to him to boost the company’s online image. “It was truly the best first co-op I could have asked for. My supervisors and coworkers were amazing and gave me a long leash to experiment and try new things to develop our brand and PR, and I actually still work there as a contractor today!” Along with developing the brand, Jayden has also contributed by organizing events, redesigning their website, and helping out wherever he was needed.

For his second co-op, Jayden worked as a Marketing Associate at Symplicity Designs, a Halifax-based consulting firm. There, he worked with multiple facets of the business, including content creation and market research, as well as redesigning the sales funnel for their seminars. “I think my favourite project was actually the market research. I’ve never enjoyed research as much in an academic setting, but it was really enjoyable to put together the pieces like a puzzle and determine what factors were going to be the most important to target demographics.”

Last summer, Jayden was offered the volunteer role of Social Media Manager for the Dalhousie Tigers Football Team. He was excited for the opportunity to further grow his marketing skills at the helm of a project with a large audience, and he credits his success in the role to the skills he has gained during his co-ops.

“I think my biggest accomplishment over both of my co-op experiences has really been finding my footing to brand myself in a way that has made it so much easier to apply for positions since. I had so much fun every day, and looking back I really feel proud of everything I was able to put my heart into,” he says. “I especially enjoyed diving into social media, and just making fun content that the community could enjoy, which has led to other opportunities that I’ve taken on since, the biggest being Dal Football! As soon as we started pulling weekly impressions statistics in the tens of thousands, especially at the first home game, that was what got me invested.”

Volunteering with the Dal Tigers has been very rewarding for Jayden. He says that his lighthearted approach to content creation has been working well, and he is connecting with students in more ways than ever before.

Here is Jayden’s advice for you:

Start you job search early; it will ease your mind.
Try to find a job that you find to be fun. If you are having fun at work, you will never work a day in your life.
Take full advantage of each opportunity; if you do great work people will take notice.

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