Kinesiology, creativity and career clarity
Discover how Alana Mainolfi used her co-op terms to explore careers in therapy, social media and education, all while gaining clarity on her path to becoming a kinesiologist.
Alana Mainolfi (she/her), a fourth year Kinesiology (Kin) student, discusses how to make the most of your co-op term and unexpected applications in the field of kinesiology. Her co-op journey took her from hands-on therapy to social media to tutoring, helping her uncover new passions and skills. These experiences taught her to embrace creativity, stay curious and explore unexpected paths.
Alana's co-op journey
Work term one: Alana began her co-op journey as a recreational therapy assistant at Bay Haven Care Community in Collingwood where she created and delivered recreational therapy programs for residents.
Work term two: For her second co-op term, Alana worked as a therapy assistant at Spinal, Orthopedic, and Sport (SOS) Physiotherapy, where she supported physiotherapists with patient rehab and was the primary point of contact at the front desk.
Work term three: Alana then worked as a social media assistant for the Kinesiology and Health Sciences department at the University of Waterloo where she produced content to support student recruitment, conducted interviews with faculty members and showcased cutting-edge technology used in teaching and research.
Work term four: For her final co-op term, Alana worked as an anatomy and physiology tutor at Centennial College, supporting practical nursing students through the delivery of customized mini lectures and teaching resources that helped students along their term.
Q&A with Alana
What is the most interesting thing you've done while on a work term?
“Working as the social media assistant for the Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences was hands-down the most unexpected, and most exciting, experience I’ve had on a co-op term. I never thought my job in the Kinesiology program would involve content creation but here I was behind the scenes for my own department!”
“Some days I felt like a journalist, shooting photography for campus events and conducting interviews with professors, faculty and students. Other days I was locked in my cubicle, deep in editing mode, as I tried to find the perfect song to go with my reels. Sometimes I spent all day planning and building social media campaigns.”
“Most of the time, you’d find me tripod in hand, filming a reel and trying to convince you to be in it! What I liked the most was that I gained a totally new appreciation and pride for my own program. I got to witness all the work that goes into planning labs, hosting events like Kinesiology Lab Days and planning faculty events.”
How can you make the most out of your co-op term?
“My biggest piece of advice for students would be to GET CREATIVE! As Kin students, we don’t always get to flex our artistic muscles in our academics, but that’s where co-op can open doors.”
“In my last work term at Centennial College, I was asked to create a final project to help nursing students with anatomy and physiology.”
“I spent a lot of time throughout the term drawing the same diagrams over and over on our whiteboards for students and it sparked an idea in me.”
“Instead of sticking to something traditional, I tapped into my love for drawing and teaching and built a YouTube crash course called Anatomy with A.”
“I filmed self-illustrated videos based on what students found the most difficult in their coursework. It was the perfect blend of science and creativity and it ended up being my favourite part of the job!”
“So, if your job isn’t making you excited in the right way, don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Find ways to incorporate the things that bring you joy. Co-op isn’t just about working, it’s about finding a balance between where your skills, interests and goals meet.”
How has co-op helped you with your career goals?
“Co-op has been a great way for me to explore different career paths and get a better sense of what I like versus what I don’t like. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is not to get caught up in finding the ‘perfect’ job right away. At this stage, most of us are still figuring out what we like because we haven’t had the chance to try many things yet.”
That’s the beauty of co-op: the more experiences you have, the more you know.
“I’ve discovered a lot about myself—not just in terms of what I want to do, but also what environments excite me. I’ve realized how much I enjoy teaching, even though I never considered going into the education field.”
“Co-op helped me see that I can apply that passion in other ways, like through health education or community engagement. Changing workplaces every four months also forces you to be much more adaptable, open-minded and willing to step outside your comfort zone.”
“Trying something new can be intimidating, but usually it’s where the most realization happens. My advice would be to try as many different roles as you can. You never know what might inspire you or lead to future opportunities.”
What is one thing you were curious to learn about in your organization?
“I am always curious to learn about people’s stories, how they got to where they are today and what led them there. During my co-op terms, I always like to ask my supervisors and colleagues about the lead up to their career and I am often surprised (and comforted) to learn that many of them didn’t end up where they thought they would be when they first started out.”
“Some were working in completely different fields than what they studied in school, while others had changed careers more than once. Hearing these stories reminded me that it’s okay not to have everything figured out right after university. In fact, some of the jobs we’ll end up in haven’t even been created yet.”
“What matters most is staying curious, following what excites you and being open to change. I find that this culmination of different backgrounds, perspectives and skill sets lead to diverse organizations with a strong sense of collaboration.”
“For me, learning from others’ journeys has been both inspiring and grounding, and a reminder that there’s no single pathway for success.”
What's next for you?
“After graduating in the spring of 2026, I’m looking forward to taking some well-deserved time off to travel and recharge after undergrad. In the meantime, I hope to continue tutoring students in science, as I work toward obtaining my Registered Kinesiologist certification.”
“My long-term goal is to work as a kinesiologist, where I can combine teaching with my love of movement and health!”