January 2021

Paving the way through co-op

University of Waterloo Environment co-op student, Matt Jay, standing in a banquet hall

Matt Jay, a third-year Environment student in the School of Planning, tells us all about his co-op experiences working for different cities and that perseverance is key when it comes to co-op!

Digital acceleration: tips to prepare you for the future of work (a recap)

Image of RBC, Waterloo, and Microsoft logos in a straight line, the text "Beyond Digital Recap" on the top left, and some icons.

Missed the Beyond Digital event? Here's what you need to know

We don’t know what the future is going to look like, but that doesn’t mean we can’t prepare ourselves for it right now. In the midst of the pandemic, the world of work is becoming more digital than ever! But, as the world is changing, it’s important we learn how to progress ourselves as well.

A software engineer’s code for co-op

University of Waterloo Software Engineering co-op student, Joseph Tafese, sitting on a chair and talking

Joseph Tafese, a fourth-year Software Engineering student, shares the various software development jobs he has done for his co-op, and how his coding has progressed through his co-op experiences!

A Health student’s transition from working at home to in-person

University of Waterloo Health Sciences co-op student, Mahmoud Noweir, smiling while standing against a wall

Mahmoud Noweir, a second-year Health Sciences student, shares his experience working remotely as a Research Assistant, and tells us all about how his very first in-person co-op is going!

Finding your first job is hard...but it gets easier

University of Waterloo Arts co-op student, Hameedat smiling in a garden

Hameedat Busari, a 4A Economics student at the University of Waterloo, shares some of her highlights and challenges of her co-ops during the pandemic! 

How has working remotely changed your lifestyle?

Learning and growing through the healthcare industry

University of Waterloo Honours Health Studies co-op student, Hussain, standing in a venue

Hi! My name is Hussain Ali Naqvi and I'm a 3B Honours Health Studies co-op student. I wanted to share my co-op experiences in the healthcare system and the lessons I've learned on my journey to becoming a physician!

Who is your employer?

Finding a sense of direction through co-op

University of Waterloo Math co-op student, Everett, smiling in front of a staircase

Everett Zhang, a second-year Honours Math student, interested in pursuing a major in Computational Mathematics, gives us a little insight into his very first co-op experience and how it has helped him boost his confidence! 

The pre-interview ritual you never knew you needed: 5 steps to confidence

Listing page image for pre-interview ritual blog, a meditating icon, with thought bubbles around it

A quick introduction!

“I’m so nervous!” The most overused line you say when you have an interview coming up. Your stomach hurts, you can’t think straight, you start having second thoughts, and ultimately just overwhelm yourself. But just like with most things in life, it's important that you mentally prepare yourself. You’re now probably asking, “Well how do I do that?” Don’t worry, I got you covered! Check out this pre-interview ritual I have created to help you get rid of those interview jitters.


Step 1: Wake up and have a healthy breakfast  

Bringing Lynk Global to the Middle Eastern market

University of Waterloo Science and Business co-op student, Souhail, smiling in Dubai

Souhail Aboulhoda, a third-year international student in Honours Science and Business, shares his various co-op experiences and says that co-op has taught him to become more patient! 

How to stand out to employers: 5 tips to improve your LinkedIn profile

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Let's begin!

Is it just me or is it challenging to figure out where to start when using LinkedIn? All of these questions might be running through your head; how do I grow my connections? Am I showcasing myself effectively? How do I get employers to notice my profile?

Your LinkedIn profile is crucial. It is where you are presenting yourself and creating your own personal brand. If you are having trouble figuring out where to start, these next few tips are a great guide to your profile success!

Trying different roles in Marketing: Amica, Manulife, Mejuri

University of Waterloo Arts co-op student, Rency smiling in a restaurant

Rency Luan, a fourth-year Arts and Business student majoring in Rhetoric English, shares her experience working in various digital marketing positions. 

Journaling pushes me to keep learning something new

University of Waterloo Kinesiology co-op student, Emily outside by a building

Emily Tam, a fourth-year Kinesiology student at the University of Waterloo, shares how she kept herself motivated by journaling during her co-op terms.

How did you keep yourself motivated during your work term? 

Working in Dubai at Yellow Door Energy

University of Waterloo Environment Co-op student, Ayman smiling outdoors

Ayman Gostar, a third-year Environment and Business student, shares a glimpse to his first work term in Dubai.

Combining Food Science and co-op: a recipe for success

University of Waterloo Science Co-op student, Chariya Goyal smiling

Charita Goyal, a fourth-year Life Science student minoring in Fine Arts and specializing in Animal Biology, says co-op has allowed her to be open-minded. 

Exploring oncology in co-op

University of Waterloo Health Co-op student, Iman Salehi smiling

Iman Salehi, a third-year Health Studies major and Medical Physiology minor student, shares how he found a deeper meaning in oncology from his co-ops.

Making meaningful contributions through project management

University of Waterloo Arts co-op student, Headshot of Laura smiling

Laura Kwan, a fourth-year Arts and Business, Legal Studies and Sociology student, shares how she developed an interest in project management through co-op.

Day in the life of a WE Accelerate student

Waterloo WE Accelerate Co-op Student Aseel Osman smiling

Aseel Osman, a 1B Nanotechnology Engineering student, shares her co-op experience as a Waterloo Experience (WE) Accelerate student in the Digital Bootcamp stream during a VUCA (Volatile, Unpredictable, Complex, Ambiguous) time.

What did a day in the life of a WE Accelerate student look like?

Co-op helps Math student find his interest in Actuarial Science

Adam McIntosh, University of Waterloo Math Business co-op student smiling

Adam McIntosh, a 3B Math Business student pursuing a double degree in Actuarial Science and Statistics, shares his co-op experience and how it has helped toward his career goals.  

The co-op life in Pharmacy

University of Waterloo, Pharamacy Co-op student, Max smiling

Max Kisil, a third-year Pharmacy student, shares his co-op journey from Grand River Hospital and Lancaster Wellness Pharmacy. 

Discovering a passion for research through co-op

University of Waterloo student Jordan Ducatel, 3B Honours Physics and Astronomy student smiling by a lake.

Jordan Ducatel, a 3B Honours Physics and Astronomy student, shares how he found his passion for research in Physics through co-ops. 

Jordan's first co-op:

Working in a world between Environment and Business

University of Waterloo Environment Co-op student, Sam Rehan smiling

Sam Rehan, a third-year international student pursuing Environment and Business, shares his experience in the co-op world between Environment and Business.  

How opportunities can grow into new passions

University of waterloo Public Health co-op student, Nilusha smiling beside a tree

Nilusha Rattansi, a third-year Honours Public Health student, also pursuing a minor in French, shares her co-op experience by encouraging us to try new things! 

Nilusha spent her first co-op term at the Ontario Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility in Toronto followed by her next co-op term where she was at Year Zero Studios as a Research and Digital Marketing Fellow. 

Prepare yourself for the real world with real work experiences

University of Waterloo Environment Co-op student, Peter Voltsinis smiling

Peter Voltsinis, an Honours Planning alum from the University of Waterloo, says he can’t imagine his journey without co-op. 

Work hard right from the beginning

University of Waterloo, 2nd year Environment Co-op student, Nickie smiling at lakeshore beach

Nickie Senthil Kumar, a second-year Honours Environment, Resources and Sustainability (ERS) student with a minor in Legal Studies at the University of Waterloo, shares a glimpse of her first work term.

My first co-op experience:

Arranging your own job as a Kinesiology student

University of Waterloo, Faculty of Health, Kinesiology Co-op student, Jonah Lazar smiling

Jonah Lazar, a Kinesiology alum explains how arranging your job is an essential part of looking for a co-op job! 

Never stop believing in yourself

University of Waterloo, Math Co-op student, Priyanka Saha sitting on grass

Priyanka Saha, a second-year international student pursuing Computer Science under the Faculty of Math shares the difficulties in finding the first co-op amidst Covid-19 pandemic.

Journey behind landing the first co-op:

Math is more versatile than you think

University of Waterloo, Math Co-op student, Erik Liang smiling

Erik Liang is currently pursuing a double major within the Faculty of Math, Financial Analysis and Risk Management (FARM) and Statistics. He shares his perspective as a co-op student while working at several Canadian banks.

From India to Cali: Working on a flipped schedule

University of Waterloo Arts co-op student, Sharanya smiling

Sharanya Karkera, a second-year Arts and Business student is currently working remotely from India for her first 8-month co-op term. 

Sharanya works for a company based in California called Calix. Calix involves cloud computing, software platforms, systems and services to communications service providers.

Never hesitate to ask questions, just do it

University of Waterloo Engineering co-op student Prithika smiling in a forest

Prithika Hariharan, a second-year Management Engineering student shares the impact she created during her two co-op terms. 

Prithika spent her first co-op term at a start-up called Makeship who produces plush toys. Makeship wanted Prithika to create a dashboard that would allow their company to communicate with clients. How cool, right?

Don't give up, arrange your own job!

University of Waterloo Public Health co-op student Fatima Khalid smiling in front of a red wall

Fatima Khalid, a 3B student in public health minoring public policy admin and pursuing an option in aging studies talks about her first co-op experience by arranging her own job. Fatima has completed her first co-op term at Four Corners Health Care Centre as a Youth Service Project Worker by arranging her own job. 

 

Getting a taste of different work environments

Celina wearing sunglasses and smiling in front of a lake

Celina Maya Mohni, a 4A Geography and Environmental Management (GEM) student who is currently specializing in climate science and working towards a diploma in sustainability at the University of Waterloo shares her co-op experience and how her skills have developed during her work terms.

Contributing to the health and safety of Canadians during uncertain times

Noah wearing a suit and smiling
Over the course of the 2021 winter term, I completed my co-op working as a clinical research assistant for LMC Manna Research in Toronto. I was given the exciting opportunity to work on many ongoing clinical health trials in Canada.

Building confidence in pharmacies and hospitals

Nav infront of trees smiling

Navreet, a 4th year pharmacy student at the University of Waterloo shares her venture in the healthcare system. 

Nav started off her first co-op term as a Pharmacy student at Rexall Pharmacy in Mississauga. Her role varied from dispensing and filling medication to counselling and doing medication reviews with patients. 

Connecting with nature and exploring new cities through co-op

Sam taking a selfie and smiling in her living room

Sam Bycraft, a 4B Geography and Environment Management student enjoyed her co-op term while being outdoors!

Online tutoring + first-year co-op = rewarding experience

Natalia smiling beside a tree

Natalia Manturowicz, a 2B Pure Mathematics and Teaching student talks about her first co-op journey where she had the chance to work remotely for Centennial College as a math tutor. 

A passion for Political Science in the workforce

Matthew wearing a yellow hat and smiling in his house

Matthew Olsen, a 3B Honours Arts and Business student majoring in political science, specializing in global governance and minoring in public policy and administration talks about his passion towards political science during his co-op. 

Mentorship and making a difference at RBC

Andrea smiling in front of brown architecture

Andrea Chakma, a third-year mechatronics engineering student shares a little bit about her experience at the Royal Bank of Canada and TJX Canada. 

Avoiding burnout & adapting to change while working for the federal government

Miila standing while holding her dog in front of mountains

Miila Kai Tuju, a small-town girl from Muskoka pursuing her 4B term of Planning says, “Never be afraid to apply to a city you’ve never been to before.” She never imagined to be working for the federal government out in Ottawa. Miila says, “It's really important because if I hadn't made that decision one night to just randomly apply, I wouldn't have been here running the fe

Working where health care and technology meet

Maisha standing by trees

Third-year health studies student Maisha Adil shares her co-op experience and tips on how to stay motivated on your work term.