Twenty years ago, AV俱乐部鈥檚 School of Business introduced a mandatory co-op program where each student would require three work term completions to graduate.
Now, 10,000 co-op success stories later, the decision proved to be a good one.
On Thursday, Nov. 24, faculty, staff, employer partners and students gathered at the Rowe Management Building to celebrate 10,000 successful co-op graduates from AV俱乐部鈥檚 Faculty of Management.
Real-life lessons
Veronica Baker, a fourth-year commerce student, completed her first work term at the accounting firm KMPG and her second two at Emera. She says graduating with a year鈥檚 worth of professional experience allows students to draw on real-life examples during class discussions and network with colleagues in similar industries. 鈥�
鈥淭here were times while working at KPMG that I spoke with students working towards their CA (chartered accountant) designation,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 was able to learn so much more about the specific process than what is taught in school - it was great to speak with someone going through something I was working towards.鈥�
And there were also a few surprises along the way.
鈥淏efore I started working, I never realized how much soft skills are valued in the workplace,鈥� she says. 鈥淚鈥檓 a pretty positive person and I didn鈥檛 know that would be appreciated in the work place and just being yourself is how you truly shine.鈥�
After graduation, Ms. Baker will work towards her CA designation at KPMG Halifax, an opportunity that stemmed from her first work term.
Jason Wong, a fourth-year commerce student, completed his most recent co-op with Make-A-Wish Foundation, Atlantic Provinces. He agrees that work terms let students apply classroom lessons with workplace situations and says the opportunities that come from working at a particular place are sometimes invaluable.
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鈥淎fter graduation, we might all know what a supply and demand curve is, but learning how to use it to maximize growth and efficiency is equally as important,鈥� he says.
While working with Make-A-Wish, Mr. Wong helped raise over $800,000 for the foundation and direct a public service announcement that was shown in theatres across Atlantic Canada - not to mention the chance to meet some exceptional people.
鈥淚f it hadn鈥檛 been for my work term, I would never have gotten the opportunity to meet some of the inspirational 鈥榃ish鈥� families and hear their stories of bravery, strength, and courage.鈥澨�
Finding the right fit
That appreciation for the program runs both ways according to employer partners, some of whom have been involved in the program for over ten years.
鈥淭he quality of students that come from Dal鈥檚 co-op program is second to none,鈥� says employer partner Bruce Rutherford, senior account manager with HSBC Bank of Canada. 鈥淎ll my staff were once co-op students and I鈥檓 happy to give back to the program any way I can.鈥�
鈥淲ork terms give employers the chance to see if an employee will be a good fit in the organization,鈥� explains Michelle Callaghan, senior manager, audit at KPMG who supervised Ms. Baker. 鈥淚n Veronica鈥檚 case, there鈥檚 no doubt she鈥檇 be a great employee because she鈥檚 basically been on a four month interview.鈥�
The decision to incorporate three mandatory work terms was the brainchild of former management professor John Parker and former director of the School of Business Ray Klapstein. They felt it was important to give every student the opportunity to gain at least one year of professional experience before graduating, explains Melvina Jones in Management Career Services.
鈥淲ith three co-ops, you could work one term in accounting, the next in marketing, and the last in finance,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great way for students to find out what they do and do not like.鈥�
鈥淩eaching the 10,000 milestone is a testament to the value of the co-op program to both our students and their employers,鈥� says Anna Cranston, director of Management Career Services.听鈥淥ur graduates leave Dal with one year of work experience and a good number of connections to help them be very competitive on the graduate job market.鈥�