dynamic

WORKING FOR YOU
Valuable life lessons
Cooperative education enables personal and professional growth
KAYLA COTTON, PUBLIC
RELATIONS INTERN, HALIFAX
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
A university degree is no longer solely
earned after four years of lectures and
exams. Students now have the opportunity
to gain valuable life lessons relating to
business culture and confidence outside
the classroom.
Several academic institutions in
Nova Scotia offer programs similar to
Mount Saint Vincent University’s
Co-Operative Education program, which
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allows undergraduate students like myself
the opportunity to work for a business or
organization in their chosen field and finish
their degree with a year of applicable
experience. In 2014, 80 per cent of co-op
graduates at MSVU secured employment
in their field of study in just six months
after graduation. This means that students
are relieved of the stress that comes from
the dreaded job-hunt after the completion
of their studies.
I’m in my final year of the Bachelor
of Public Relations degree at MSVU,
and currently undergoing my third
four-month work term with the Halifax
Chamber of Commerce. Before my first
day, my friends and family wished me
luck and cautioned that the first day in a
new position was the most difficult. I’ve
found this to be normally true. However
I’ll admit that not once did I feel nervous
or intimidated during my first few days
at the office. I felt confident and eager
to learn, not only because of the warm
and welcoming team, but also because
of the experience I’ve gained during
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my past two work terms. I’m not alone
with this feeling, at MSVU more than a
remarkable 90 per cent of recent co-op
grad felt prepared for the workforce after
completing their co-op work terms.
MSVU gives students the opportunity
to conduct their own job search, while the
university also has strong relationships
with many employers in government,
non-profit and private sectors. Thus students
gain insight to other career options
that they may have not yet realized.
There’s many reasons why it’s advantageous
for employers like the Chamber
of Commerce to participate in the co-op
program. Firstly, by gaining access to an
educated and highly motivated labor pool
for a short period, they are provided with
the perfect solution for completing projects
or filling temporary workplace niches.
Additionally, the co-op labour pool
is inexpensive for the employer as they
are reimbursed up to half of the minimum
$15 hourly wage that students earn. This
resource, while limited to each fourmonth
work period, can be continually
renewed every semester with each new
class of students and builds a strong,
mutually beneficial relationship between
the academic institution and participating
business or organization.
The Halifax Chamber of Commerce
is committed to the growth and support
of business culture. This is achieved by
many initiatives including matching
postsecondary student development to
employer needs. By hiring co-op students,
employers are guaranteed to grow
their team with skilled and enthusiastic
young adults with innovative ideas.
Resulting in a stronger workforce and a
positive business environment.
When I graduate and start applying
for full-time positions, I’ll have a year of
practical, real-world job experience that
employers look at first and an edge over
other students who lack this experience.
My time at university has already taught
me a lot more than I bargained for, and at
the Halifax Chamber of Commerce it’s a
new opportunity each day with networking
events and communications responsibilities.
I’m thankful that the co-op
program exists for me to grow personally
and professionally.