Management Career Services (MCS), Dalhousie’s co-op and career office for students in the Faculty of Management, has spent the past eight months celebrating a major milestone of 20,000 business work terms completed by students in the Bachelor of Commerce Co-op, Bachelor of Management Internship, and Corporate Residency MBA programs.

“The primary goals of this campaign were threefold: to celebrate the remarkable achievement of 20,000 business work terms with our student, employer partner, and alumni communities; to develop content to showcase our programs and alumni to all three groups; and to strengthen our value proposition of ‘Where emerging talent meets employer needs,” says Robert Wooden, Director of MCS.

Here’s how it went:

• In September, Robert Wooden announced the 20,000 Business Work Terms campaign to a record number of attendees at our annual signature networking event, Dal Business Networking Night, presented by EY.
• In November, we hosted a 20,000 Business Work Terms celebration in the MCS office with MCS staff, Faculty of Management staff, and student society leaders.
• In January, we hosted a 20,000-themed scavenger hunt for our students.
• In March, we invited current and past MCS staff to join our annual celebration event for Top Co-op Student of the Year nominees.
• In May, we celebrated with alumni and employer partners in Toronto during the Toronto Corporate Tour networking reception, hosted by BMO.
• Throughout the year, we published 20 alumni profiles, a combination of written and video, featuring graduates from all three programs from the last 30 years.
• We visited the location of the 20,000^th business work term, High Liner Foods, which was completed by third-year Commerce Co-op student Boston Foubert in fall 2024.
• We celebrated 20,000 business work terms not only for the quantity, but also for the quality of each and every work-integrated learning experience, as proven by our ongoing accreditation through Co-operative Education and Work Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada.

Thank you for celebrating with us this year. We look forward to the next 20,000 work terms and beyond!

In fall 2024, Management Career Services (MCS), the co-op and career services office for students in Dalhousie’s Faculty of Management, reached an incredible milestone of 20,000 business work terms completed by students in the Bachelor of Commerce Co-op, Bachelor of Management Internship, and Corporate Residency MBA programs. Since 1991, these programs have produced a diverse group of alumni who have made significant contributions across industries, and their work-integrated learning experiences have set them up for success in their respective fields.

In Atlantic Canada, no one knows work-integrated learning (WIL) like Dalhousie. And at Dalhousie, no one knows work-integrated learning like the Faculty of Management, with nearly 1,000 paid work terms last year, more than any other Faculty.

Not only is Dalhousie’s Faculty of Management committed to offering a high quantity of work-integrated learning opportunities for the benefit of students – there is also a strong and long-term focus on quality. “The three business programs that Management Career Services serves are the only programs accredited by Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada at Dalhousie, and they have been consistently accredited since there were graduates from the work-integrated learning component in each program. Only then does a program become eligible for accreditation,” says Robert Wooden, Director of MCS.

CEWIL Canada is the lead organization for work-integrated learning in Canada. It partners with post-secondary institutions, community members, employers, government, and students to champion work-integrated learning. Since 1973, CEWIL Canada members from post-secondary institutions across the country have worked in partnership to develop resources to promote the highest quality of post-secondary work-integrated learning programs.

“We thank Dalhousie for its ongoing leadership in Canadian co-operative education and adherence to the CEWIL Canada criteria and standards of quality,” says Claudia Sperling, Chair of the CEWIL Canada Accreditation Council. “The review team was impressed with many of Dalhousie’s practices, including all three programs reporting a high job securement rate of 94.5% to 100%.”

To meet accreditation requirements, work-integrated learning programs must ensure each work term is a full-time, paid opportunity that is developed in partnership with the employer and approved by the co-operative education program as a suitable learning environment. Students’ progress during their work term is monitored by the co-operative education program and students are assessed by the employer partner as well as by the institution, which includes self-reflection. Self-reflection can facilitate the learner’s understanding of their own knowledge, skills, attributes and contributions to the workplace and enhance learning from the workplace to the classroom setting.

MCS’ Director, Robert Wooden, is the current Past Chair of the CEWIL Accreditation Council of 51 CEWIL Canada Member Institutions with accredited programs, further strengthening MCS’ dedication to the value of accreditation. In 2023, CEWIL Canada renewed and refreshed its accreditation standards for co-operative education programs, which Dalhousie played a role in with Robert as Chair of the review team of the first accreditation application under the new standards. “CEWIL’s new co-operative education standards bring in a focus on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility as well as a Commitment to Continuous Improvement,” says Wooden. “The review and revision of our standards was exciting and important work that took in feedback from hundreds of Canadian co-op practitioners.”

Work-integrated learning is a strategic priority for Dalhousie University and the Faculty of Management, as evidenced by its strong presence at the institutional, faculty, and program levels and by Dalhousie’s commitment to work-integrated learning in our strategic plan. Management Career Services is not only instrumental in supporting students with career exploration, career development, pre-WIL preparation, and evaluation of their WIL experiences, but they assist organizations large and small achieve their early talent acquisition goals.

Written by: Grace Doty

Dalhousie University’s Commerce program has been shaping successful careers for over 100 years, and for Susan O’Brien, who was part of the very first cohort to include three mandatory co-ops, having the opportunity to incorporate work-integrated learning into her undergraduate degree was a game-changer. Now, her daughter Grace is experiencing the same opportunity, continuing the family tradition of benefiting from the program’s combination of classroom learning and real-world experience.

Susan, originally from Renforth, New Brunswick, started Dalhousie’s Commerce program in 1991. “The co-op program was a game-changer. It combined classroom learning with real-world work experience, which made everything click and helped me understand how business operates.” Her co-op experiences played a pivotal role in shaping her career. “My first term at an accounting firm made me realize accounting wasn’t for me, saving me a lot of time,” Susan shares. However, it was during her second and third terms with Moosehead Breweries where she discovered her passion for brand management. “I fell in love with marketing,” she recalls. After graduating, Moosehead hired her, marking the start of her successful career in brand management.

Over the years, Susan’s career continued to evolve as she worked in various marketing roles, including time at a Toronto-based advertising agency and later at Campbell Soup Company as Director of Innovation. However, it was an opportunity with Canadian Tire that would define her career. “Canadian Tire was a company I’d always admired growing up,” Susan says. “The chance to work for a 100% Canadian company with strong ties to Canadian values was something I couldn’t pass up.” Nearly 17 years later, Susan is now the Chief Brand & Customer Officer at Canadian Tire, responsible for shaping the company’s brand direction, overseeing customer engagement, and driving marketing initiatives that connect with Canadian consumers. Her work has played a key role in strengthening Canadian Tire’s reputation as a trusted, iconic Canadian brand.

Today, Susan’s daughter Grace is experiencing the same valuable co-op program that shaped her own career. Now in her second year at Dalhousie, Grace is completing her first of three mandatory co-op terms. She echoes her mother’s sentiment about the benefits of the program, and like her mother, Grace quickly realized that accounting wasn’t the right fit for her. “I’m learning which classes will help me in the workplace, just like my mom,” she says. Grace also appreciates Dalhousie’s case-based approach to learning, particularly through a project called Biz Café, where students run a start-up coffee shop. “It was a great way to understand how different aspects of business work,” Grace notes. She also recognizes that even if you don’t land a big-name company for your co-op term, the experience still offers valuable life skills. “It teaches you work ethic, how to navigate a corporate environment, and helps you figure out what you enjoy doing,” she explains.

When asked about the impact Dalhousie has had on her education and career path, Grace proudly says, “Dal is an awesome school, and it sets you up for success. My mom’s career is a perfect example of what can happen when you take full advantage of the opportunities here.”

Dalhousie’s Commerce Co-op program within the Faculty of Management continues to provide students with invaluable learning experiences, equipping them with the tools they need for success. With three mandatory co-op terms integrated into the standard-length four-year program, students get hands-on experience, develop industry connections, and leave Dalhousie prepared for their careers.

“Because co-op is mandatory for all Commerce students, we focus on providing learning that prepares our students to be able to network, conduct their work term job search, and be successful in the workplace from the very start of their four years with us,” says Robert Wooden, Director of Management Career Services, the co-op and career services office for students in the Faculty of Management. “And because co-op is mandatory, many of our employer partners utilize work terms to identify their future leaders. Frequently, students have accepted post-grad employment before they begin their fourth year.”

Whether it’s discovering a passion for a specific industry, developing leadership skills, or building a professional network, the Commerce Co-op program offers an exceptional opportunity to students and is helping to shape the next generation of business leaders.

In fall 2024, Management Career Services reached an incredible milestone of 20,000 business work terms for students in the Bachelor of Commerce Co-op, Bachelor of Management, and Corporate Residency MBA programs. These programs have produced a diverse group of alumni who have made significant contributions across industries. To learn more about their stories and the impact of these work-integrated learning programs, visit our website.

Written by: Mara Williams

David Strong (BComm ’96) is the owner of Strong & Associates Chartered Professional Accountants, where he works with a team of 20 people to serve clients in various industries. Prior to launching his own company, David worked at Doane Grant Thornton for nearly 14 years, building a career that began during his co-op there while he was studying at Dalhousie University. His co-ops allowed him to gain essential experience that translated into success while working at Doane Grant Thornton post-graduation, and when operating his own accounting company. David’s education at Dalhousie directed him toward the success he has today. “My time at Dal was really transformative – it was integral to where I am today – and I’m certainly very thankful for that!”

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

In his accounting co-op at Doane Grant Thornton, David initially battled to overcome imposter syndrome to feel like he belonged there. Being a new employee, it was hard not to feel inexperienced, and it made him very aware of any mistakes made. However, he was eventually able to embrace the co-op as a learning opportunity and realized that making mistakes is how you grow. “Once I figured out and accepted the fact that I am not supposed to know all of this right away, and my coworkers were there to help me, it made it much easier.” Completing the rest of the co-op with this mindset allowed him to learn from his colleagues and come out the other side much more confident in his accounting skills.

Learning on the Job 

David’s co-op at Doane Grant Thornton allowed him to gain an understanding of the ins and outs of the tax world. One of his bosses at the time had him complete personal and corporate tax returns by hand, increasing his understanding of the process considerably. David continues to share these lessons with new staff at his own accounting firm today. Gaining this knowledge on work term and then during his full-time career afterwards eased the process of beginning his own company. In 2010, David decided to take charge of his future and embark on his entrepreneurial journey. “I knew there was a lot of opportunity in the market, and I had become very good at business development.” His accounting experience, which began during his Commerce Co-op degree, allowed him to identify an opportunity and successfully launch his own business.

Advice to His First-Year Self

After nearly 30 years of being a full-time professional in the accounting industry, David reflects on his very first year at Dalhousie. Knowing what he knows now, David advises his first-year self to have a higher level of self-confidence. “Having a better awareness that every single person in your classes has insecurities, stresses, struggles of their own, and we all have commonality in that.” Letting self-doubt hold you back only delays progress and prevents you from making the most of valuable learning opportunities.

Building a Professional Network

During his co-ops, David was able to develop a strong professional network that remains influential in his life to this day. “The relationships I formed while working on my co-ops allowed me to obtain employment after graduation – which was of course a big deal.” Securing a full-time role at Doane Grant Thornton following graduation was a direct reflection of the work he put in to build strong relationships with his superiors and colleagues while on co-op. His co-ops gave him the opportunity to develop an awareness of how to cultivate strong relationships in a professional setting, a skill that remains impactful today. Learning how to help others achieve success in the workplace has helped David build and maintain those long-lasting connections.

In fall 2024, Management Career Services reached an incredible milestone of 20,000 business work terms for students in the Bachelor of Commerce Co-op, Bachelor of Management, and Corporate Residency MBA programs. These programs have produced a diverse group of alumni who have made significant contributions across industries. To learn more about their stories and the impact of these work-integrated learning programs, visit our website.

Written by: Mara Williams

Michael Joyce (BComm ’03) is Vice President of Sales at Dare Foods Limited, where he and his team deliver on various sales and profit objectives. His long and successful career in sales was launched by the three co-ops he completed at Procter & Gamble during his Commerce Co-op degree at Dalhousie. These work terms allowed him to grow essential skills and develop connections that helped him continue to build his career after graduating. Michael credits his co-op terms with the skill and network development that has helped him succeed. “They gave me the opportunity to develop relationships with mentors at the company who would be instrumental in helping me build my skills and career over many years.”

Launching a Career with Co-ops

During Michael’s degree at Dalhousie, he majored in Marketing Management, initially planning to pursue a career in marketing. However, his co-ops at Procter & Gamble exposed him to the world of sales for the first time and gave him the opportunity to discover his passion for it. “I really enjoyed the challenge that comes with navigating competing interests to find win-win solutions that comes with working in sales.” After finishing his three co-ops with Procter & Gamble, Michael was offered a full-time role following graduation. His work terms gave him the opportunity to get to know the workplace and ensure he enjoyed the work, laying the foundation for a long career with the company.

Building Leadership Skills

Now a seasoned professional in the world of sales, Michael recommends students looking to follow in his footsteps focus on building their resiliency. “In business, there are always problems and being resilient in the face of adversity is a common trait among successful leaders.” Michael’s experience has taught him that resiliency will help you manage the challenges encountered in a dynamic workplace. In addition, becoming more skilled at resolving conflicts will continue to be a beneficial skill as you progress in your career and move up the corporate ladder. As a leader in his role today, Michael continues to develop the resiliency and conflict resolution skills he built during his work terms.

Extra-Curricular Involvement

At Dalhousie, Michael involved himself in various extracurriculars, most notably residence government and the Dalhousie/King’s Debate Society. In his second year, he served as the President of Smith House in Howe Hall. “This gave me the opportunity to build skills collaborating with others to execute events, as well as navigate the inevitable conflicts that come along with group work.” These skills helped Michael succeed during his co-ops and beyond. In addition, his involvement with the Debate Society gave him the opportunity to hone his communication and persuasion skills, both of which remain incredibly relevant in his role in sales today.

Accomplishments During Co-op

During his third co-op at Procter & Gamble, Michael was tasked with getting a new flavour of Sunny Delight onto Real Atlantic Superstore shelves. After working all summer to secure a meeting, he finally secured an opportunity to present his case – and ended up selling two truckloads for the initial launch. This was Michael’s first big sale, and it has stuck with him throughout the years. It gave him the opportunity to learn more about selling business-to-business and to experience analyzing complex data sets to develop solutions for customers. In addition, he was able to practice his persuasive communications skills in a real-world setting. Furthermore, he learned the level of operational discipline it requires to close a sale. Getting practical experience with these skills helped him succeed when he entered the workforce after graduating. “I had the opportunity to practice these skills during my work terms, and I am still practicing them today!”

In fall 2024, Management Career Services reached an incredible milestone of 20,000 business work terms for students in the Bachelor of Commerce Co-op, Bachelor of Management, and Corporate Residency MBA programs. These programs have produced a diverse group of alumni who have made significant contributions across industries. To learn more about their stories and the impact of these work-integrated learning programs, visit our website.

In fall 2024, Management Career Services reached an incredible milestone of 20,000 business work terms for students in the Bachelor of Commerce Co-op, Bachelor of Management, and Corporate Residency MBA programs. Since 1991, these programs have produced a diverse group of alumni who have made significant contributions across industries, and their work-integrated learning experiences have set them up for success in their respective fields.

The Faculty of Management has been celebrating this milestone throughout the academic year with alumni profiles and events, and earlier this week, Robert Wooden, Director of Management Career Services, and Mike Smit, Dean of the Faculty of Management, paid a visit to High Liner Foods, which was the location of the 20,000^th work term completed in fall 2024.

Boston Foubert, a third-year Commerce Co-op student majoring in Entrepreneurship, completed his second co-op at High Liner Foods as a Purchasing Co-op Student. His supervisor, Sachin Dukhanti, Purchasing Category Specialist at High Liner Foods’ Halifax office, is new to supervising Dalhousie business students; Boston was his first.

“I helped refine an Excel master sheet that tracks the packaging materials and dimensions from each supplier. Not only has this helped me improve my Excel skills, but I’ve also enjoyed being involved in a project that will make life easier for anyone needing our packaging information,” says Boston. “It’s rewarding to contribute meaningful work as a student that remains useful for the company beyond my term.”

Since 2017, High Liner Foods has been bringing Dalhousie business students onto their team in a variety of roles, including purchasing, accounting, and supply chain.

“Thanks to sterling work by Boston on reviewing past invoices that we received from one of our vendors, he found out that this vendor was overcharging us for services rendered and we managed to claw back over $50k as rebates from this vendor,” says Sachin. “I hope this example sums up how mutually beneficial these co-op student programs can be for both parties. Boston received a great grounding into what it takes to work for a corporate company – how to engage with different peers, how to develop his business communication (written and verbal), and how to work in cross-functional teams with people many job grades higher than him (like Directors and VPs). He also figured out instinctively how to develop his ‘personal brand’ in the short amount of time that he was here, because he created great friendships and relationships and was well liked in our team and other functions.”

Boston is returning to High Liner Foods this summer to complete his third co-op with the team. “Our Purchasing Director was very keen to bring him back for another stint with us so that he can help out with more crucial projects,” says Sachin.

“Joining High Liner Foods was one of the best decisions I’ve made, and I think anybody who has the chance to take a position here should do so. There are so many opportunities in a number of different fields and you’ll be able to work with a whole cast of friendly, kind, and eager co-workers who are excited to have you with them,” says Boston.