TRU’s co-op education is a launch pad for your career

One of the most important and challenging decisions you will ever make is your career. In an environment where your career can affect the world around you, it’s essential to break into the workforce confident, passionate and positive you are making a difference.

That starts with post-secondary education.

Thompson Rivers University (TRU) strives to help students reach their full potential and fosters their passions to launch them into careers that allow them to turn the world into one they’ve envisioned.

TRU’s co-operative education (co-op) placements are influential for students and their career paths. After applying, going through an interview process and landing a job at a company in their field of interest, students gain real-life experience in the workforce.

“I didn’t know where to start… and I figured a co-op would be a good way to put my foot in the door,” explained Dea DiGiovanni, an international marketing student from Indonesia.

Although she has previous experience as a graphic designer, DiGiovanni wanted to gain a holistic view of marketing by focusing on the digital side.

She got a co-op placement in TRU’s Career and Experiential Learning department as an events and marketing assistant, gaining experience and skills for her future career that reinforced her goals.

Others learned through their co-ops that their original plans going into university weren't their passion, such as Katelyn Zubak, who started in finance but shifted gears after her placements.

She worked in two co-ops involving supply chain management at Hydro One and Amazon. Hydro One offered a more behind-the-scenes position and Amazon required Zubak to work hands-on and on the floor.

“The co-ops solidified my decision to go into supply chain management,” Zubak said.

After a successful work term at Amazon, she accepted a full-time management position at another Amazon location.

Political science major Julye-Anne McKenny, built up her self-confidence at her co-op with the BC Ministry of Forests.

Her position in Indigenous Relations focused on First Nations development and gave her the chance to do purposeful work, build connections and discover what was possible for her.

“You learn how to speak the language of professionals in the career world,” noted McKenny. “Co-op teaches you to be workers.”

Sophie Collins is completing a Bachelor of Science with a major in physics and a minor in math with intentions to go into research and data analysis.

Last year, she became an intern at Quelminte Secwepemc Governance for her co-op and explored her heritage through time spent on Indigenous land, weekly meetings with Elders and interacting with community members.

“I got to experience and immerse myself in the culture,” Collins said. “There aren’t many opportunities to do that and with the good work they’re doing, it was a very unique opportunity.”

While doing office work, she used an analytical software called A Landscape Cumulative Effects Software, which gives data on how to balance the environmental, economic and social priorities. Her summer project based involved studying Moose Browse Capacity within Secwepemcúl’ecw, where she looked at the habitat and forage available for moose within the North Thompson watershed.

She developed a passion for caring for the land’s resources and found her path forward.

Co-op co-ordinators helped DiGiovanni, Zubak, McKenny and Collins from start to finish. They gave feedback on applications, brainstormed ideas for job hunting, offered insight on professional situations and kept in touch to make sure everything was going well.

“(The co-op team was) wonderful throughout the whole process, giving tools and techniques to complete successful job search and work terms,” Zubak added.

Are you ready to get real-life experience in an industry that interests you, help create meaningful change and reach your full potential at Thompson Rivers University?

Click here to learn more about the co-op education opportunities and here to get started on your path at TRU.