Download complete: Six co-op terms as a Systems Design Engineering student

Andrei (he/him) is in his fourth-year of Systems Design Engineering. He delves into detail about his experience learning new skills during each co-op term and consistently performing his best in the workplace.

Andrei’s co-op journey:

Work term one: At the University of Waterloo Registrar’s Office, Andrei was a systems analyst. He worked on creating a script which could automatically turn transcript equivalencies from other schools into Waterloo credits.

Work term two: In his second work term, he worked at TS Analytics Canada as a quality assurance analyst and was invited to participate in project testing.

Work term three: As a system software engineer at NCR Canada, he was introduced to cloud development and acquired new skills.

Work term four: He worked as a systems engineer at Ford Motor Company of Canada for his fourth work term. Andrei worked with both hardware and software, using his transferable skills in cloud development. Through trial and error, he came to learn that working with hardware is not something he wants to pursue.

Work terms five and six: For his last two work terms, he worked at Balyasny Asset Management (BAM) as a cloud engineering intern. He worked on the cloud team and will be returning to BAM after graduating in June.

Q&A with Andrei:

How would you describe your co-op terms?

“Formative, dynamic and rewarding. Co-op was a great way for me to see what I like and dislike and at the same time showed me what working in the corporate world is like. In school you set your own standards for grades but in a workplace, you take more ownership as your contributions are impactful making your work fulfilling.”

“Every co-op position of mine was based on some previous experience but at the same time promoted learning and scaling; it allowed me to go from zero to someone who can contribute to the workplace which is the ultimate goal of co-op.”

“As a young professional, the prospect of starting in a new workplace can be very exciting, but daunting. To realize how much impact you can have and how directly your effort can translate into meaningful results for your organization is extremely rewarding. It helps build confidence and allows you to recognize your potential."

What motivates you to get your job done?

“Building knowledge and being able to gain new skills is definitely a motivator, especially because early on in your career the feeling of imposter syndrome is strong because you don’t have experience.”

“Sometimes, it's good to appreciate discomfort because it can teach you new things about yourself. It can feel hard to find your place in a changing job market, it's important to try your best in every opportunity you get because they can be worthwhile in ways you didn’t expect.”

“It’s about making sure that the people that placed bets on you end up winning.”

What advice do you have for other co-op students?

“Just keep applying through a broad lens. Limiting yourself in the application stage isn’t the best thing to do because you never know what role you’ll end up in and what you’ll end up liking. Don’t get discouraged because there are many external factors involved when someone looks at your résumé, which aren’t related to your skills or how hirable you are.”

What did you like about the culture at BAM?

“I was at BAM for eight months in person, so I really got to experience the culture. The main thing I noticed was everyone’s willingness to help.”

“As a student you have a unique opportunity as often people want to help give you a jumpstart because they see themselves in you and remember how it is to have been in your position.”

“My managers and coworkers at BAM constantly asked me about what would be valuable to me and really wanted me to be a part of new projects, learning new technologies.”

“My managers always let me experiment. If I had an idea that seemed reasonable to them, they would let me explore it.”

“They really set a path of self-development for me, which made me feel valued and in turn produced better work. They did a lot of things for the well-being of their employees. For example, they held sports leagues and panels with interesting speakers. My managers at BAM created a happy and engaged environment.”

“Everyone was also at the top of their fields and the bar for talent was very high. People had a lot of knowledge and kept up to date with new technologies. This was very inspiring to see; I got to learn from some very smart and talented people.”

What’s next for you?

“I’ll be working at BAM in June after graduation. I’m excited to settle in and meet some new people in the office. With co-op you’re constantly moving around and living out of a suitcase, so it’ll be nice to have a base and settle down.”

“I’ll be building my life as a young professional and developing my personal interests and hobbies. I’m completing a few certifications before I start the job and I’m excited for something new.”