Training and community outreach benefit the Region of Waterloo and their co-op students
By: Jed Bick (he/him)
The Region’s Waste Management division delivers a positive experience for students by creating purposeful work and growth opportunities. Students add value to meaningful projects including environmental monitoring, community outreach and education.
In a large community with more than 165,000 properties to service, the Region of Waterloo’s waste management division (the Region) provides curbside collection, processing, diversion and disposal of waste. Waterloo co-op students utilize their problem-solving and decision-making skills to help support the Region’s environmental monitoring and landfill management.
At the Region, co-op students work on dynamic projects that serve both the environment and the larger community. Full-time staff members appreciate co-op students and work to provide a welcoming environment where students can purposefully contribute to meaningful work.
“I feel like we're welcoming to the students,” says Ann-Marie Weber (she/her) (BSc '15), supervisor, contracts and service at the Waste Management division. “We welcome them in like they're part of our team. We treat them as equals. They have valuable information that they can bring to the table.”
As waste collection and diversion students, Waterloo co-op students utilize and apply skills and environmental system management knowledge from academic programs like Environment and Business.
Ann-Marie Weber, supervisor, contracts and service at the Waste Management division
Students often work on projects to analyze and audit waste collection for contamination to determine if it was disposed of in its proper place. Based on their analysis, students often conduct outreach activities to educate residents about how to properly dispose of waste.
Owen Hurley (he/him) is a waste collection and diversion student at the Region in his final year studying Environmental Resources and Sustainability. Hurley was interested in the opportunity at the Region because he wanted more experience in the field and the job description specified fieldwork.
Once he was working, Hurley appreciated other aspects of the job including educational outreach and the opportunity to give tours of the landfill. These experiences gave him the opportunity to connect with local residents and develop key transferable skills.
“The public speaking opportunities I was given at the Region have really enhanced my confidence in terms of communicating effectively and efficiently," says Hurley. “I can definitely see myself using these skills in the future.”
Innovative mindsets help enhance critical projects
Olivia Kwok (she/her) (BES ’11) is the manager of waste collection and diversion at the Region and a former Waterloo student. She knows just how capable Waterloo students are when it comes to contributing to critical projects and accomplishing important tasks.
“Waterloo co-op students are risk takers,” says Kwok. “They're innovative. They're curious. They also bring in a lot of the education and academic learnings from their studies at Waterloo into the workplace.”
(Left to right) Olivia Kwok, Avery Sudsbury, Luke Cho, Owen Hurley, Ann-Marie Weber
Avery Sudsbury, 2023 Faculty of Environment Co-op Student of the Year award recipient
Avery Sudsbury (she/her) (BES ’24), worked at the Region as a waste collection and diversion student for an extended eight-month work term.
She received the 2023 Faculty of Environment Co-op Student of the Year award for her outstanding efforts in this role and for the passion and curiosity she demonstrated during her work terms.
For Sudsbury, a motivating element of her experience was the opportunity to connect with others in the waste management industry from different regions.
She appreciated the opportunity to learn about industry best practices on the job and develop connections for potential future opportunities.
“I think what really makes the Region of Waterloo stand out is that it's excited to have co-op students and they want to see us join them in the future of its industry,” says Sudsbury.
“To see these people so passionate about the work they are doing, it really makes you excited as a co-op student to be able to join them.”
Sudsbury took a leading role in nominating the Region for a Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE) Employer Impact Award for Impact on Student Experience.
The waste management division earned the award for the purposeful opportunities it provides to students to grow personally and professionally.
The Region of Waterloo Waste Management division provides a meaningful work experience that delivers co-op students more than just work and projects. The organization prepares students for a future in its industry, and beyond, by focusing on their personal and professional growth.
Supporting student growth drives effectiveness
The Region helps co-op students to grow and develop their personal and professional skills during their work terms. Regional staff give students feedback on their résumés and interviews to help them prepare for future opportunities in the industry.
“The student experience here at the Region of Waterloo Waste Management division has been second to none in terms of the support I felt during my time here,” says Luke Cho (he/him), who is entering his final year of the Environment and Business program. “You really feel it from your supervisors and colleagues that there's an emphasis on your own personal development goals.”
Cho appreciated the opportunity to work with diverse staff from several different generations on his professional skills by collaborating on meaningful projects.
“At the Region, there's always been an emphasis, not only on the work that I do, but to be a better professional,” says Cho.
Waterloo co-op students helping to pave the way for the future
Much like its commitment to student growth, the Region is also growing and planning for the future. For more efficient and safer waste collection, the Region is moving from manual bags to using carts for garbage and organic collection.
Waterloo co-op students are contributing to these plans during their work terms and are thrilled to see how their current efforts will help lead to a cleaner and more sustainable future.
“I got really excited looking at their waste management plan and seeing what their future would look like in five to 10 years,” says Sudsbury. "It was nice to see that my work would be contributing to their long-term goals.”
It just made me really happy to see that they enjoyed their time and that they felt it was a really meaningful experience as well.