Why co-op talent is Waterloo EDC’s best investment
By: Krista Henry (she/her)
Waterloo EDC knows innovation takes more than ideas – it takes people. And year after year, Waterloo’s co-op students help power the region’s growth.
It's no surprise the organization incorporates co-op students into its operations. Waterloo EDC president and CEO, Tony LaMantia (BA '87), is a former Waterloo co-op student. He knows the value students bring in attracting investors to the Region of Waterloo. Students assist in business development and marketing.
“Our organization sells the region and the great opportunities that companies will find here. We often talk about the incredible talent that comes from places like the University of Waterloo,” says Eamon O’Flynn. O’Flynn is senior manager, marketing and communications at Waterloo EDC. “They are great, which is exactly why we hire them ourselves.”
Hiring snapshot
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Industry: Business and professional services
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Years of operation: 9
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Years as a co-op employer: 8
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Total Waterloo students hired: 46
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Positions hired for: marketing and communications coordinator, business development coordinator
The big boosts student talent brings to a small team
With a small team managing a large workload, onboarding is important. The team carefully prepares to get students integrated and up to capacity. When students get going at Waterloo EDC, they make big contributions.
O’Flynn outlines the key reasons EDC hires Waterloo co-op students:
1) Immediate impact: students contribute to meaningful work. Their projects often benefit the team long after their term ends.
“These students come in and are immediately able to make real contributions. It’s never make-work. Every single one of them has made a real contribution to the team.”
2) Fresh thinking: students bring new tools, ideas and energy. Whether it’s AI applications or platforms like Canva, they help to drive innovation.
“They bring different perspectives and an openness to new tools. Having a new co-op student every four or eight months means you have that continuing injection of new ideas and new ways of doing things.”
3) Flexible support: with short-term placements (four to eight months), students contribute to both immediate needs and long-term strategies.
“There’s always so much to do and too few hands to get all that work done. Co-op students help us tackle projects we’ve had on our back burner for months.”
4) Talent development: on occasion, Waterloo EDC has hired former co-op students into full-time roles, reducing onboarding time and ensuring cultural fit.
“We have two positions filled by former co-op students. There’s no uncertainty here. I know exactly what this person can do. They know who we are and what we do.”
What sets Waterloo co-op talent apart?
For O’Flynn, it’s the preparation that students receive through Waterloo’s structured co-op program that sets them apart.
When it comes to University of Waterloo's co-op students, they are always so well prepared. From the very start. Our interviews with them are always fantastic. They are consistently prepared to do work and adapt to different work. That’s a great mindset for anyone on a job.
Eamon, O'Flynn, senior manager, marketing and communications, Waterloo EDC
Waterloo co-op students Maya Ley and Angela Kulina meet with former co-op student – and current full-time staff member, Dante LeFeuvere in Waterloo EDC’s office in downtown Kitchener.
Maya Ley, Waterloo EDC’s current co-op student, works with Erin D’Alessandro, Waterloo EDC’s vice president of business development, on a presentation for clients.
The takeaway?
Waterloo EDC finds that students are contributors who complete high-impact projects. Waterloo’s co-op program provides them with next-generation talent to their organization that could become their next full-time hire.
Are you a small organization wondering if hiring a student is worth it? Stop wondering, start investing.