I graduated from StFX in 2021 with a business degree, majoring in management and leadership. Motivated by my goal of harnessing business as a force for good, I carefully selected courses, focused my honours thesis, and pursued co-op positions aligned with this interest. During my studies, I completed three diverse co-op placements, each offering unique insights and shaping my career trajectory.
My co-op experiences spanned various fields, starting with academic research alongside Professor Brad Long, which evolved into my thesis. I then gained insights into hedge funds and mutual funds through an operational due diligence position at Beaumont Advisors. My final co-op was at CarbonCure Technologies, a clean tech company focused on sequestering CO2 in concrete to reduce its carbon footprint. I continued working with CarbonCure throughout the remainder of my studies and was hired full-time upon graduation. This role sparked my passion for sustainability in the built environment, ultimately leading to my current position as ESG Manager at Killam Apartment REIT, where I oversee the company’s sustainability strategy.
The project management, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills I developed during my co-op placements have been vital in my current role. They allow me to effectively collaborate with different teams to advance our ESG goals and enhance the sustainability of Killam’s real estate portfolio.
For students considering the co-op program, my advice is simple: don’t limit yourself to what’s on the co-op job portal. Reach out to people, leverage connections, especially with alumni, and be creative in finding opportunities. Make a case for yourself to companies that may not have hired co-op students before.
It’s been a full-circle moment for me to now manage a sustainability co-op student at Killam. Offering guidance and witnessing the value of the co-op program from the other side has reinforced my belief in its importance. Co-op education provides students with a significant head start in their careers by graduation.
