Deloitte leverages Waterloo co-op talent to deliver innovative business solutions
By: Christie Zeb (she/her)
Co-op students help streamline project workflows, manage complex tasks and collaborate across teams to deliver client-ready solutions.
Deloitte, a global leader in consulting and professional services, is renowned for helping clients optimize operations and drive long-term success. Delivering innovative solutions across strategy, risk, technology and operations, Deloitte empowers organizations to thrive in an ever-evolving marketplace.
The organization taps into the diverse skillsets and fresh perspectives of Waterloo talent to stay ahead of trends and fuel growth.
“Waterloo co-op students have been invaluable to us,” says Batool Husnain (she/her), manager, Infrastructure and Real Estate at Deloitte.
“They come in with prior work experience, but more importantly, they bring essential soft skills like adaptability and an understanding of workplace dynamics that allow them to integrate quickly into our teams.”
Batool Husnain, manager, infrastructure & real estate, Deloitte
Co-op students take on meaningful work
At Deloitte, Waterloo co-op students play a key role in supporting diverse impactful initiatives. Students contribute valuable skills in problem-solving, communication and project management.
Tiana Thobani, Faculty of Engineering co-op student
Tiana Thobani (she/her), a fourth-year Management Engineering student worked as an analyst intern during her co-op work term at Deloitte.
Her role involved participating in stakeholder interviews to help identify business needs. She helped to write reports and proposals, created presentations in PowerPoint and performed numerical analysis using Excel.
“This role introduced me to strong problem-solving skills, as I collaborated with stakeholders to understand their requirements and to help develop solutions,” says Thobani.
Thobani’s co-op role at Deloitte helped her to refine her consulting and project management skills.
Sydney Annab (she/her), a fourth-year Architectural Engineering student worked in the Capital Projects group at Deloitte for her co-op work term. In her role, Annab worked to optimize large-scale construction projects for clients.
She supported tasks like selecting project management information systems, reviewing the efficiency of construction projects and assisting with proposals.
“I helped develop the workflow for a complex project, working closely with my team to break down tasks and establish clear steps,” says Annab.
“I also took on the challenge of creating a risk register, overcoming the lack of precedent by consulting internal experts. This enabled us to deliver the report to the client on time.”
The dynamic work environment at Deloitte helps students sharpen their technical skills and enhance their critical soft skills like time management, resource planning and teamwork.
Sydney Annab, Faculty of Engineering co-op student
My most valuable learning experience was the opportunity to work internally with teams across different projects and externally with government agencies and top firms. I also honed my time management skills, learning how to proactively plan and balance my workload. It’s a skill I’ll carry forward in all aspects of life.
Deloitte’s commitment to mentorship and growth
At Deloitte, co-op students thrive in a culture that prioritizes support, flexibility and professional development. Students are encouraged to balance the type of work they do, the needs of their clients and their own needs. This flexibility allows them to find a balance that supports their work and personal lives.
Deloitte’s commitment to supporting co-op students goes beyond just offering a work placement. The organization provides an environment where students feel empowered to contribute, learn and grow.
To set students up for success, Deloitte pairs each student with a senior colleague who acts as a ‘buddy’ to help them acclimate to the organization and their team, as well as a ‘coach’ to support their professional development.
The ‘buddy’ system fosters a sense of community and belonging. “Students receive guidance from buddies, and coaches who help them set goals, connect with mentors and explore growth opportunities,” says Husnain.
Deloitte emphasizes hands-on learning by entrusting co-op students with meaningful responsibilities from day one and encourages students to work on tasks that challenge their thinking. Students build strong connections through coffee chats, team events and company-wide gatherings.
“I got the chance to work on different teams with internal colleagues and external clients, which kept things exciting and challenging. The environment was collaborative, and I always felt supported and motivated to try new things throughout the experience,” says Thobani.
By investing in co-op students, Deloitte is building the next generation of leaders and harnessing their fresh insights to stay ahead with innovative and cutting-edge solutions.