Chemistry co-op

Chemistry co-op

by | Mar 15, 2023

Sample co-op positions and employers

  • Viticulture research assistant – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
  • Formulation and analytical chemist – EcoSafe Natural Products Inc.
  • Process operator – Teck Ltd
  • Outreach instructor – Actua
  • Organics, advanced extractions – ALS Laboratory Group
  • Structure, properties and performance Researcher – Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation
  • Medicinal chemistry researcher – Centre for Drug Research and Development
  • Analytical chemistry student – PBR Laboratories Inc
student wearing a lab coat with equipment

Common types of co-op work

  • Academic research (Theoretical and applied)
  • Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies
  • Breweries, wineries and distilleries
  • Computational and Quantum Chemistry
  • Government agencies
  • Food, chemical and equipment manufacturers
  • Natural resources management and research
  • Analytical Chemistry work (QC, R&D)
  • Renewable energy research and production
  • Outreach and education
  • Formulation
student wearing a life jacket and hard hat on a research vessel

What you can learn on your work term

Chemistry knowledge

  • understand the major systems of nomenclature used in chemistry
  • understand bonding and electronic structure and how they relate to the shape and reactivity of chemical compounds
  • understand how bonding and electronic structure impact the chemical, physical and electronic properties of molecules
  • understand thermodynamics, reaction kinetics and reaction mechanisms
  • create new compounds based on your knowledge of inorganic and organic chemical reactions
  • understand how to separate, detect and measure chemical compounds
  • understand how to use quantitative and qualitative evaluations to analyze compounds or materials

Scientific method

  • use experimental techniques to solve problems
  • search and assess scientific literature
  • use inductive reasoning and deductive methods to develop a testable, falsifiable hypothesis and predict expected results
  • design quantitative approaches and experiments to test and evaluate hypotheses
  • gather evidence through observation and experimentation
  • understand research and propose steps to further the goals of an experiment
  • communicate results and ideas in scientific reports, papers and oral presentations

Lab skills

  • use safe and careful practices
  • keep lab records
  • analyze, make, purify, modify and characterize compounds, samples or devices
  • use lab instruments
  • calibrate, maintain and troubleshoot instruments
  • follow standard methods and procedures for lab experiments
  • take accurate measurements and identify potential sources of error
  • troubleshoot and optimize methods and techniques
  • develop methods and procedures
  • assess lab data

Computer skills

  • use scientific software
  • use computer modeling as a proxy for physical experiments
  • create and modify scientific software
  • develop and use computational methods to analyze large data sets

Education and training

  • teach chemistry and science at a level appropriate to the audience
  • assess achievement of learning outcomes
  • train and supervise others to perform scientific or lab procedures

Field work

  • observe behaviour or properties of subjects and phenomena
  • measure subjects or phenomena or their environment
  • identify and collect samples for analysis
  • use field equipment, tools and machinery
Biology co-op

Biology co-op

by | Mar 15, 2023

Positions Biology co-op students can hold

  • Assistant wildlife biologist – Parks Canada (Lake Louise, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks)
  • Environment regulatory and sustainability co-op student – Devon Energy Corporation 
  • Eulachon assessment and pelagic ecosystems – Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Pacific Biological Station)
  • Junior wildlife rehabilitator – BC SPCA Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre
  • Biological weed and pest control assistant – Cultural Agricultural Bureau International (Switzerland)
student in hip waders conducting green crab survey

Biology co-op students work for

  • Marine biology
  • Fisheries and forestry
  • Resource management
  • Pest management
  • Environmental monitoring
  • Ecology
  • Wildlife assessment and tracking
  • Botany
  • Genetics and microbiology
  • Medical research
student holding dip net standing on shore of alpine lake

What you can learn on your work term

Biology knowledge

  • understand the biological diversity of plants and animals
  • understand genetics and the mechanisms leading to diversity (Mendelian, molecular and population genetics)
  • use genetic analysis on a biological problem
  • apply the principles of evolutionary theory and natural selection in creating diversity
  • understand plant and animal structure and function
  • analyze biological problems at the genetic, molecular, developmental, organismal and ecological levels
  • use the concepts and tools of mathematics, chemical science and physical science to understand biology
  • understand the history of ideas in biology
  • consider the larger role of biology in society

Research skills

  • understand and use the scientific method and experimental techniques to solve specific problems
  • search and assess scientific literature
  • work with new and emerging concepts
  • gather evidence through observation and experimentation
  • use inductive reasoning and deductive methods to develop a testable, falsifiable hypothesis and predict expected results
  • design quantitative approaches and experiments to test and evaluate hypotheses
  • observe and record the results of research
  • use mathematical and statistical methods and tools to evaluate data
  • draw conclusions
  • communicate results and ideas clearly in scientific reports, papers and oral presentations
  • understand research and propose steps required to further the goals of an experiment

Field skills

  • practice safety at all times 
  • maintain and operate field equipment 
  • observe the natural environment
  • identify species by sight, sound, scat or footprint
  • handle organisms and collect data such as sex, length, weight, height, tissue or blood
  • keep records in the field
  • use proper field sampling protocols

Lab skills

  • use safe and careful practices
  • keep lab records
  • use sterile and aseptic techniques
  • use pipetting technique
  • follow standard methods and procedures for lab experiments
  • take accurate measurements and identify potential sources of error
  • troubleshoot and optimize methods and techniques
  • develop methods and procedures
  • analyze, make, purify, modify and characterize compounds, samples or devices
  • use lab instruments
  • calibrate, maintain and troubleshoot instruments
  • assess lab data
Biochemistry and microbiology co-op

Biochemistry and microbiology co-op

by | Mar 15, 2023

Biochemistry & Microbiology co-op students work for

  • Academic research labs and institutes
  • Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies like Immunoprecise, Eli Lilly, Bayer, Eupraxia, Chinook and Zymeworks
  • Breweries, wineries and distilleries like Hoyne Brewing, Category 12 and Tinhorn Creek
  • Government agencies like BC Cancer Research Agency, Agriculture and Agrifood Canada, VIDO Intervac, the National Microbiology Laboratory, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and the National Research Council
  • Food, chemical and equipment manufacturers like PALL,  Lallemand, Thrifty Kitchens, and Agropur
  • Health Authorities
  • Clinical practices
  • Clinical Research Organizations like ICON plc

Biochemistry & Microbiology co-op students can

  • Monitor industrial fermentation processes
  • Test clinical, environmental, food and water samples for microbial or chemical contamination
  • Conduct original research using modern biochemistry, immunology, molecular biology, genomics and proteomics technology
  • Develop tests and assays for detecting molecules of interest
students in front of CFIA sign

CLICK HERE to watch BCMB co-op info session recording

Recorded Sept 10, 2022

student in research lab

Read more about what BCMB co-op students have done

student next to brewing tank

Knowledge you can gain on your work term

  • examine the structure and function of proteins
  • understand the principles and analysis of kinetic mechanisms
  • use proteomics and protein interactions in binding and catalysis
  • understand the structure and function of carbohydrates
  • understand the structure and function of lipids
  • examine biological membranes and bioenergetics
  • understand metabolic processes and their control
  • understand the structure and function of DNA, RNA and genes
  • understand gene expression in eukaryotes
  • explore the biochemical basis of signal transduction

Microbiology and immunology knowledge

  • understand prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure and function
  • understand the physiology and growth of microorganisms
  • understand the molecular taxonomy of microorganisms
  • understand microbial genetics and genomics
  • study microbial cell biology using molecular approaches
  • explore immunology, generation of antibody diversity, immune effect or mechanisms and immunological principles
  • understand molecular virology and animal viruses
  • examine developments and uses of molecular biotechnology
  • understand microbial pathogenesis and the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis

Scientific method

  • search and critically evaluate scientific literature
  • understand new and emerging uses of biochemistry, microbiology and biotechnology
  • gather evidence through observation and experimentation
  • analyze data and formulate a clear, answerable question
  • use inductive reasoning and deductive methods to develop a testable, falsifiable hypothesis and predict expected results
  • design quantitative approaches or experiments to test and evaluate hypotheses
  • observe and record the results of research
  • use mathematical and statistical methods and analytical tools to evaluate data
  • draw conclusions
  • communicate results and ideas in scientific reports, papers and oral presentations
  • identify the need to do further research
  • write and speak effectively

Computer skills

  • create and modify scientific software
  • use scientific software
  • develop and use computer modeling as a proxy for physical experimentation
  • develop and use computational methods to analyze large data sets

Field work

  • observe behaviour or properties of subjects and phenomena
  • make measurements of the subjects or phenomena or their environment
  • identify and collect samples for analysis
  • use field equipment, tools and machinery

Lab work

  • use safe and careful practices
  • keep accurate lab records
  • use sterile and aseptic techniques
  • use pipetting technique
  • perform lab experiments following standard methods and procedures
  • take accurate measurements and identify potential sources of error
  • troubleshoot and optimizes methods and techniques
  • develop methods and procedures
  • analyze, make, purify, modify and characterize compounds, samples or devices
  • use lab instruments
  • critically evaluate lab data

Education and training

    • teach science at a level appropriate to the audience
    • assess achievement of learning outcomes
    • train and supervises others to perform scientific procedures

Contact Science Co-op

Bob Wright Building 243
Victoria, BC, Canada V8W 2Y2

More contact information

 

Co-op and Career Portal

Co-op and Career Website

Our values

by | Mar 15, 2023

Students are at the heart of our work

  • We strive to support student success academically, professionally and personally.
  • We facilitate positive learning opportunities for students, preparing them for the future of work.
  • We provide tools and opportunities empowering students to transform their lives.

This value in action

  • LISTEN: We listen to our students needs and meet them where they are at.
  • COMMUNICATE: Clear is kind – we communicate clearly, timely, and respectfully.
  • CONNECT: We build relationships with our students and employers to facilitate success.
  • LEARN: We commit to being continuous learners to be  awesome leaders in our field.

Collaboration leads to excellence

  • We build on our successes and failures in pursuit of a common goal.
  • We seek responsive, synergistic and innovative approaches to our work and our partnerships.
  • We strive to be leaders in work integrated learning, locally, nationally and internationally.

This value in action

  • INTERNAL SHARING: We commit to sharing of better practices within our team and UVic Co-op community.
  • EXTERNAL SHARING: We commit to sharing of knowledge and better practices from communities external to UVic Co-op.
  • FEEDBACK: We commit to creating opportunities and the conditions for giving and receiving feedback.

Diversity is strength

  • We value and encourage diverse cultural and individual perspectives.
  • We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive organizational culture.
  • We value personal growth and reflection as we strive toward our diversity and inclusion goals.

This value in action

  • AWARENESS: We acknowledge that due to varied life experiences, when working with others, their views have as much value as our own.
  • SKILLS: We actively partner with employers to foster diversity in recruitment and advocate for the integration of equitable practices within all organizations. We foster an inclusive workplace by offering guidance to overcome cultural barriers, accommodating diverse needs, and promoting mutual understanding and respect.
  • LEARNING: We foster a safe environment of continuous growth and development by actively seeking opportunities to educate ourselves and enhance our cultural competencies.
    I offer tailored student support that embraces diversity and intersectionality to cultivate a learning environment that prioritizes growth and understanding
  • ATTITUDE: We ensure all individuals feel valued and included by advocating for equity, diversity and inclusion through promoting equal opportunities, embracing diverse perspectives, and implementing inclusive practices. We recognize the efforts of individuals and celebrate small wins in our journey towards creating an equitable, diverse, and inclusive culture. We will take responsibility for our own limitations and will be gracious with others when they do the same.

Community supports us and we support community

  • We develop sustainable relationships with colleagues, students, alumni and organizations.
  • We contribute to the university’s goals and to the mosaic of the community.
  • We impact sustainable economic growth and social development for a more resilient community.

This value in action

  • We will CONNECT with faculty and departments to update and consult with them about co-op placements, challenges, event, students, … so that we can best SUPPORT co-op students.
  • We will SUPPORT students by creating space and time for ENGAGEMENT, and we will clearly communicate with students about options and expectations.
  • We will ENGAGE with current and future co-op employers using strategies like job development, initiatives, networking events, industry specific events, and work site visits.
  • We will COLLABORATE with others to provide successful WIL opportunities.

Ethics, Professionalism and Pedagogy underpin our work

  • We are guided by integrity, honesty, and trust in all we do with students, employers and colleagues.
  • We strive for transparency as we work toward shared goals.
  • We are educators and coaches, committed to professional practice. 

This value in action

  • TAKE A QUICK CHECK: Publicity, Universality, Justice
  • We behave with COMPASSION towards ourselves and others. We are not afraid to say sorry when we make a mistake.
  • We SHARE knowledge and learn from others like labour market info and research, pedagogical trends, coaching, and administrative standards.
  • We seek input and engagement from the community of employers, alumni, students. Asking for FEEDBACK and taking student feedback and suggestions seriously to continue to improve our work.
Research publications by co-op students

Research publications by co-op students

by | Mar 5, 2023

MHCII+CD80+ THYMIC EOSINOPHILS INCREASE IN ABUNDANCE DURING NEONATAL DEVELOPMENT IN MICE AND THEIR ACCUMULATION IS MICROBIOTA DEPENDENT 
Journal of Leukocyte Biology
Dominique M Gatti, Courtney M Gauthier, Brandon E Moeller, Rachael D FitzPatrick, Mia H E Kennedy, Victoria Pluzhnikova, Kate M E Conway, Julian Smazynski, Robert L Chow, Lisa A Reynolds 

BACILLUS SUBTILIS SMALL REPLICATIVE PLASMID COLLECTION INCORPORATING FIVE DISTINCT ORIGINS OF REPLICATION AND COMPATIBLE WITH GOLDEN GATE DNA ASSEMBLY
FEMS Microbiology Letters
Andrew M Rodd, Abrar Jawad, and Francis E Nano

ANTIMICROBIAL GROWTH PROMOTERS ALTERED THE FUNCTION BUT NOT THE STRUCTURE OF ENTERIC BACTERIAL COMMUNITIES IN BROILER CHICKS ± MICROBIOTA TRANSPLANTATION
Animals
Colten R. Hodak, Bescucci DM, Shamash K, Kelly LC, Montina T, Savage PB, and Inglis GD

VOLTA: AN ENVIRONMENT-AWARE CONTRASTIVE CELL REPRESENTATION LEARNING FOR HISTOPATHOLOGY
arXiv
Nakhli R, Zhang A, Farahani H, Darbandsari A, Shenasa E, Sidney Thiessen, Milne K, McAlpine J, Nelson B, Gilks CB, and Bashashati A

MULTIOMIC ANALYSIS OF HOMOLOGOUS RECOMBINATION-DEFICIENT END-STAGE HIGH-GRADE SEROUS OVARIAN CANCER
Nature Genetics
Burdett NL, Willis MO, Alsop K, Hunt AL, Pandey A, Hamilton PT, Abulez T, Liu X, Hoang T, Craig S, Fereday S, Joy Hendley, Dale W. Garsed, Katy Milne, Shreena Kalaria, Ashley Marshall … Elizabeth L. Christie EL

USING NANOMATERIALS TO ADDRESS SARS-COV-2 VARIANTS THROUGH DEVELOPMENT OF VACCINES AND THERAPEUTICS
Frontiers in Materials
Maria Victoria Hangad, Sarah Keshvani, Niya Kelpin, Walters-Shumka J, Hood M, Cameo Volk, Danika Pal, and Willerth SM

SPATIAL TUMOR MICROENVIRONMENT CHARACTERIZATION AND OUTCOME OF RELAPSED/REFRACTORY CLASSIC HODGKIN LYMPHOMA
Blood
Aoki T, Jiang A, Xu A, Gamboa A, Yin Y, Milne K, Celia Strong, Goodyear T, Wu S, Chong LC, Takata K, Chavez E, Miyata-Takata T, Colombo AR, Hav M, Telenius A, Ben-Neriah S, Weng AP, Savage KJ, Scott DW, Roth A, Farinha P, Nelson BH, Merchant A, and Steidl C

NANOTECHNOLOGY DRIVEN CANCER CHEMORADIATION: EXPLOITING THE FULL POTENTIAL OF RADIOTHERAPY WITH A UNIQUE COMBINATION OF GOLD NANOPARTICLES AND BLEOMYCIN
Pharmaceutics
Ocean Han, Bromma K, Palmerley N, Bido AT, Monica M, Alhussan A, Howard P, Brolo AG, Beckham W, Alexander AS, and Chithrani DB

SINGLE-CELL PROFILING REVEALS THE IMPORTANCE OF CXCL13/CXCR5 AXIS BIOLOGY IN LYMPHOCYTE-RICH CLASSIC HODGKIN LYMPHOMA
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Aoki T, Chong LC, Takata K, Milne K, Ashley Marshall, Chavez EA, Miyata-Takata T, Ben-Neriah S, Unrau D, Telenius A, Boyle A, Weng AP, Savage KJ, Scott DW, Farinha P, Shah SP, Nelson BH, and Steidl C

MEASURING THE PH, REDOX CHEMISTRIES, AND DEGREDATIVE CAPACITY OF MACROPINOSOMES USING DUAL-FLUOROPHORE RADIOMETRIC MICROSCOPY
Immunology and Infection
Liam Wilkinson and Johnathan Canton

DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH-RESOLUTION DNA MELTING ANALYSIS FOR SIMULTANEOUS DETECTION OF POTATO MOP-TOP VIRUS AND ITS VECTOR, SPONGOSPORA SUBTERRANEA, IN SOIL
Plant Disease
Nie X, Singh M, Chen D, Cassandra Gilchrist, Soqrat Y, Shukla M, Creelman A, Dickison V, Nie B, Lavoie J and Bisht V

CO-EXPRESSION PATTERNS OF CHIMERIC ANTIGEN RECEPTOR (CAR)-T CELL TARGET ANTIGENS IN PRIMARY AND RECURRENT OVARIAN CANCER
Gynecolic Oncology
Banville AC, Wouters MCA, Oberg AL, Goergen KM, Maurer MJ, Milne K, Ashkani J, Emma Field, Chanel Ghesquiere, Sam Jones, Block MS, Nelson BH

IMPAIRED HOST RESISTANCE TO SALMONELLA DURING HELMINTH CO-INFECTION IS RESTORED BY ANTHELMINTIC TREATMENT PRIOR TO BACTERIAL CHALLENGE
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Brosschot TP, Lawrence KM, Brandon Moeller, Mia Kennedy, FitzPatrick RD, Courtney Gauthier, Peter Shin, Gatti DM and Kate Conway and Reynolds LA

NUTRIENTS LEACHING IN RESPONSE TO LONG-TERM FERTIGATION AND BROADCAST NITROGEN IN BLUEBERRY PRODUCTION
Plants
Aimé J. Messiga, Kathryn Dyck, Kiera Ronda, Kolden van Baar, Dennis Haak, Shaobing Yu, Martine Dorais

A DYNAMIC METHOD FOR BROAD-SPECTRUM BACTERIOPHAGE COCKTAIL FORMULATION AGAINST POULTRY-ASSOCIATED SALMONELLA ENTERICA
PHAGE
Brenner T, Fong K, Spencer Lee, and Wang S

HORMONE RECEPTOR EXPRESSION AND OUTCOMES IN LOW-GRADE SEROUS OVARIAN CARCINOMA
Gynecolic Oncology
Llaurado Fernandez M, Dawson A, Kim H, Lam N, Russell H, Bruce M, Maddison Bittner, Hoenisch J, Scott SA, Talhouk A, Chiu D, Provencher D, Nourmoussavi M, DiMattia G, Lee CH, Gilks CB, Köbel M, Carey MS.

COMBINED STARTER PHOSPHORUS AND MANURE APPLICATIONS ON SILAGE CORN YIELD AND PHOSPHORUS UPTAKE IN SOUTHERN BC
Front. Earth Sci.
Aimé J. Messiga, Camellia Lam, Yunkun Li, Steven Kidd, Shaobing Yu and Carine Bineng

SINGLE-CELL TRANSCRIPTOME ANALYSIS REVEALS DISEASE-DEFINING T-CELL SUBSETS IN THE TUMOR MICROENVIRONMENT OF CLASSIC HODGKIN LYMPHOMA
Cancer Discovery
Aoki T, Chong LC, Takata K, Milne K, Hav M, Colombo A, Chavez EA, Nissen M, Wang X, Miyata-Takata T, Lam V, Viganò E, Woolcock BW, Telenius A, Li MY, Healy S, Chanel Ghesquiere, Daniel Kos, Goodyear T, Veldman J, Zhang AW, Kim J, Saberi S, Ding J, Farinha P, Weng AP, Savage KJ, Scott DW, Krystal G, Nelson BH, Mottok A, Merchant A, Shah SP, Steidl C.

A18 BUILDING BETTER ENTEROIDS: A NOVEL STRATEGY FOR ENRICHING SECRETORY EPITHELIAL CELL SUBTYPES
Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology
Emily Davies, Crowley S, Tsai K, Diaz Gomez M, Han X and Vallance B

IDENTIFICATION OF THE NEUROINVASIVE PATHOGEN HOST TARGET, LAMR, AS AN ENDOTHELIAL RECEPTOR FOR THE TREPONEMA PALLIDUM ADHESIN TP0751
STI Vaccine Symposium Report
Lithgow KV, Church B, Gomez A, Emily Tsao, Houston S, Swayne LA and Cameron CE

Bernie’s co-op to career journey

Bernie’s co-op to career journey

by | Oct 27, 2022

Student ranger Bernie
[Picture of Student Ranger Bernie and his colleague, Charlie]
 

This is a guest post by Bernard Picard-Friesen, a Program Advisor, Strategy and Engagement Division for the Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program (FFHPP) for Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Bernard is now part of the co-op hiring team for FFHPP – watch the job board for opportunities to work with him. 

The first co-op interview

It was 2 AM in Pokhara, Nepal and I was still recovering from food poisoning acquired during an ill-advised street meat indulgence. My $6 US per night hotel had an inconsistent electrical connection and I suspect the modem was a potato with some wires and antennae attached. My body was sweaty and shaking – was I just nervous, or was this the feeling of E. coli churning in my tainted gut?

None of this mattered though; I was about to do my first co-op interview. I dialed the 10-digit number provided on the interview invitation and shuffled through my notes while the call connected. It was showtime.

The interview for the BC Parks Student Ranger position went as smoothly as I could have hoped. My electric power never wavered and my 3 interviewers were impressed by my willingness to make the call, despite the planet and 12 time zones situated between us. It didn’t really feel like a choice, though.

Since I began my undergrad I heard the same story from everyone: “If you don’t do co-op you won’t get a job.” I took this advice to heart, but had also seen the evidence of this phenomenon first hand. Some friends went to grad school if they couldn’t find work after their undergrad, while others kept working at the local climbing gym.

Since I was returning to school as a “mature student” and had already missed my chance to establish a career during my early 20’s, I really felt the pressure was on.

The job offer

I had only just returned home to Victoria when I got the call saying I got the gig. Relief washed over me while my new supervisor explained our first assignment: a week at a kid’s Christian summer camp in the interior for Student Ranger training. It was time to repack my bag and start another kind of adventure: instead of trekking through the foothills of the Himalaya I would be navigating the bureaucracy of the BC government …

 

Building skills

Over the next 2 years, my self-assessment of my co-op experience shifted from “fumbling around in the dark” to “I might be getting the hang of this.” Each semester I applied for every job that looked tolerable and that I had any qualification for. Each semester I showed up to interviews with little preparation and hoped that my charm and improv skills would carry me through. Surprisingly, this approach had its downsides; I was advised that quality rather than quantity was the key to success with job applications.

So I changed my strategy and began to really customize my cover letter and resume for each position. I also decided to focus entirely on government work rather than private sector opportunities. This was because I had an ace up my sleeve: my recently declared minor in Public Administration.

Gaining focus

The Public Admin thing was the result of another piece of advice I had received. I was speaking with an older friend of mine who had a well-established career and had bounced back and forth between public and private sector work opportunistically for decades. I was telling her about my university experience so far and my continued doubts about the outcome. I lamented that I had recently been noticing some classmates of mine were doing directed studies and getting lab experience which was setting them up for very technical co-op positions during the summer.

“Is that what you want for yourself?” She asked.

“Well maybe,” I mumbled, “I think I would enjoy lab work for a summer but I don’t imagine myself actually working as a scientist. I would probably be more successful in a role that focuses on what is being done with science. Perhaps public policy?”

“Then don’t compete with the folks focused on lab work,” she raised an eyebrow. “Do something that sets you apart and makes you uniquely prepared for the work you imagine yourself doing.”

So I did. And fortunately, UVic offered public administration as fully-online classes without any lectures or exams. You just did the reading and wrote your papers and that was it. Super easy to integrate into a 4-course plus 20-hours a week part time job schedule. This was pre-pandemic so the idea of taking a class remotely still had some modicum of novel charm. The classes themselves were not quite to my taste. If government structure and policy is boring then the academic analysis of government structure and policy is catastrophically boring. But this was all part of the plan, so I did the readings and wrote the papers and by the time I found myself standing in a suit and tie at the lobby of the fancy new BC Ministry of Agriculture building, I knew I could explain (using sophisticated jargon) how my education and experience would benefit the program I applied for.

A silver lining

Little did I know that I wouldn’t step foot in that building again until I was handing in my government laptop and headset in late August. This was because the whole world went into lockdown that spring and my co-op position with AGRI took place in my bedroom. Best-laid plans, they say. Some setbacks can be viewed as opportunities, however, and for me at least the pandemic held a silver lining. Since many students chose not to enroll in fall 2020 courses due to the virtual mandate, I was betting that I had better-than-normal odds of getting those competitive co-op jobs.

The dream job

This gamble paid dividends when, while cruising the UVic co-op job portal for new listings, I saw a posting for a gig with DFO. The holy grail: a federal government organization with a budget for scientific research and teams dedicated to taking the results of that research into the field to implement them. I had a biochem midterm coming up, but prep for that was fading into memory as I immediately began my application. I scoured my job history for relevant experience and whispered a thank-you under my breath to my co-op coordinator who had recently suggested improvements to my resume. I paused for a moment before clicking “submit application.” Was it good enough? Should I go back and expand on my admittedly meagre “public engagement experience?” No. I couldn’t know if my application was good enough but I had nothing left to do but to trust my plan and take the plunge.

I haven’t applied for a job since because I’m still doing that job today. It isn’t a co-op anymore – I’m on a 2-year contract with DFO and I’ve moved to Nanaimo to work at the Pacific Biological Station now that I’m done my undergrad. My work is quite varied and I get to be involved in policy engagement, app design, performance management, staff training tracking, and (get this) co-op interviews and hiring processes. My team is full of fun and caring people and I’m given a surprising amount of autonomy in how I want to run my projects.

Looking back at my co-op journey, it’s hard to calculate what specific choices or events enabled this outcome. I think more than any individual action it was my persistence and faith in my plan that made it happen. And luck. After all, what if my power had gone out in that $6 per night hotel in Pokhara?

Shy’s Co-op Journey

by | May 9, 2022

What is your academic program?

I am doing a combined major of Biology and Psychology

Where did you work?

My first coop was an 8-month co-op at the Summerland Research and Development Centre in the Okanagan. I started in the summer of 2021 working in the development of new cherry varieties, and in the fall worked in the development of new apple varieties, called the fruit tree breeding program. We bred a bunch of varieties and sorted out the ones that we wanted to get rid of so eventually down the road you have one or two that go onto market. So basically, we were just creating new fruit trees! It was pretty cool because you got to eat so many cherries and apples, almost too much!

Currently I am working at the Pacific Forestry Centre in Victoria studying bark beetle ecology. Our main goal is to see how climate change affects their lifestyle and habits. Will climate change cause explosions in populations or will it kill them off? In this role I have been involved in many different projects so it’s not just one main job. So both my roles have been very different from each other!

 Why did you join co-op?

The main reason I joined co-op is to gain some hands-on experience. I don’t think university really prepares you for what is out there so I think Co-op takes that extra step to provide you jobs so you can actually get out into the workforce. I think I also joined for the networking, lab skills, and to see what kind of jobs are out there, because I had no idea where I wanted to go in my career.

 Has co-op met your expectations?

My two co-ops have been great so far and I have had great work crews and haven’t had a bad experience. I have also made great contacts which are my references currently and I think they would help me get a job in the future! I don’t know where I would be without my co-ops!

What have been your favourite aspects of your co-op experiences?

My favourite thing about co-op is going in knowing nothing about the job at all, like both my coops I didn’t have much experience. But coming out knowing so much more about the subjects that a class could have taught me. I didn’t take entomology going into a job about bark beetles. But now I know so much about the beetles and their anatomy. It’s crazy how much knowledge two months can give you. Learning about all the techniques, procedures, methods so I think that is my favourite thing about coop; going in, coming out, feeling like you know so much about the field.

What does professionalism mean to you and has your concept of professionalism changed through your co-op experiences?

These coop jobs have been different because they are very scientific, and I have worked for the government so there is a level of authority and you are representing so much more than just you. So I think my thoughts on professionalism have changed. It has become more important for me to act professional, because you are representing you but also your department and the government of BC as well.

Do you have any advice for future co-op students?

Definitely apply for as many as you can! Even if you don’t think you are qualified, do it anyway. I have had lots of interviews where I discovered I was not qualified for the job based on the questions they asked me but even if you bomb an interview, it’s a great learning experience.

During the job, learn as much as you can, ask as many questions are you possible can. This experience is for you so if you go in there and don’t want to learn anything, there isn’t a point in doing it. Go in there and build your toolbox for the future!

Samantha’s co-op journey

by | May 9, 2022

What is your academic program?

I’m in the joint Math and Stats and Computer Science program

Where did you work?

I’ve done two 8-month co-ops. The first one was Ocean Networks Canada. I did a lot of programming, it was during COVID-19, so it was all remote. I helped develop a dashboard but started off with a bunch of little projects, fixing bugs or code here.

I am working right now at British Columbia Investment Management Corporation and I am a software engineer. Here I help support apps that BCI uses. I help with app configuration, user requests, and optimization projects on the side.

 Why did you join co-op?

I actually took a long time deciding about co-op. I heard good things about it and everyone who did it recommended it. But then I also talked to other people that said they were going to get jobs anyway and didn’t want to take extra time during school. So I took a long time to decide whether I wanted to do it or not.

What ultimately made me decide to do it was that I took a part-time job outside of school (my first job) and I realized the value of work and I wanted to do more work relevant to my degree. I think I have gotten everything out of co-op that I thought. I have obtained relevant work experience which was the main point.

What have been your favourite aspects of your co-op experiences?

I think co-ops have helped me see what I am interested in and see more what my natural skills are. I enjoyed the software programming position quite a lot. But I have learned in the position I am in now that I like technical things, but I need more of a human aspect, which I probably would not have found by myself until I got a full-time job.

Do you have any advice for future co-op students?

In the first few weeks, just show your keenness. They don’t know you so if you show that you are keen and positive and are someone easy to work with, this is your first impression and that can go a long way. You also end up holding yourself to a higher standard because you introduced yourself that way, so you want to keep it up.

Lilli’s co-op journey

by | May 9, 2022

What is your academic program?

I am in the Biology program

Where did you work?

Working with Canadian Wildlife Service and Environment and Climate Change Canada as a Wildlife Technician doing bird surveys in the boreal forest of Saskatchewan and the southern grasslands of Alberta. There I was essentially just counting birds and that was super fun.

I am working right now as an educator and animal care assistant at a marine education centre on the Sunshine coast. I take care of a wide range of marine animals, and I teach kids about marine biology.

 Why did you join co-op?

I joined in the first place to get work experience. I was in my third year and thought I should probably get some experience

How did co-op meet your expectations?

I wouldn’t have known where to get these jobs so it has helped me find these jobs and also know what is out there. I am way better at writing a resume and cover letter now and have gotten to do a couple of different jobs which are nice to try different stuff.

What have been your favourite aspects of your co-op experiences?

All of my field work was the best experience ever! It confirmed that conservation research is the route I want to take. Up in the boreal forest having tons of wildlife encounters with bears, wolves, and moose was super cool.

My current job has been awesome as well being able to work hands-on with a bunch of different animals. I get to feed every single anemone by hand! But yea all the hands-on work has been my favourite.

Do you have any advice for future co-op students?

Apply to tons of jobs, be open-minded with your new job. I know with pretty much every coop I have done, going into the interview I thought that I would never take this job if offered and always ended up accepting. I never thought I would move to Saskatchewan in a million years, and I am so glad I did.

So, apply to things that you might not expect yourself to enjoy. For the four-month coops, it might be daunting to move away for four months but you can literally do anything for four months, it is really not that long

Anna-Maria’s co-op journey

by | May 9, 2022

What is your academic program?

I am in the Microbiology program

Where did you work?

For my first job I was a research assistant helping one of Dr. Choy’s PhD students working on genome editing of human cells so I was doing a lot of cell culture, solo work in the lab and a bit of data analysis working with genetic software. So I was helping her with her PhD while also having my own small project on the side which involved optimizing primers.

The job that I am currently working is as a vet assistant at the Cat Clinic which is brand new for me because I have dogs and have never worked with cats before. Definitely a steep learning curve at first because I don’t have a veterinary background but it has been great. I have been able to do a lot of scribing and monitoring during surgery, assisting in explaining diagnoses to clients, helping fill medications, assisting in preparing the surgery suite..

 Why did you join co-op?

I didn’t have a great idea of what I wanted to do after I graduated so I was looking to gain some experience in the field that I was studying; see if I could explore jobs that were interesting to me and could help me figure out a path after I was done my undergrad. Although I don’t have a decision made, it has helped me rule some things out and encouraged me to try some other things.

How did co-op meet your expectations?

It definitely has met my expectations as it has helped me learn what I like and what I don’t like and encourage me to look into some options that I hadn’t necessarily thought of before.

What have been your favourite aspects of your co-op experiences?

One thing that I took away from working in the lab was just generally gaining confidence in the lab. In my first year of undergrad labs I was very shy and it was very nerve-wracking for me.

 After going through a four month coop of working in the lab everyday, a lot of those skills get hammered home and now I am able to go back on campus and my labs are going so much more smoothly, I know what questions to ask, you know where to get good articles from etc. Once you apply what you learn in first year it really gets solidified.

For the cat clinic coop, I have really liked getting exposed to the medical/veterinary field which not a lot of people get a chance to see as an undergrad. So that has been very nice, going from working in a three-person lab to a big crew so I have gained some people skills.

Do you have any advice for future co-op students?

When applying for jobs, don’t limit yourself, apply for jobs outside of Victoria, it is part of the coop experience and it is a period of growth when you move away for a period of time to do your work term. In the first couple of weeks just make sure you are asking questions.

You will be learning lots of new things in the first couple of weeks and getting used to the people you are working with. So reaching out to people that you are working with and asking them about their experience and what you can do to progress and grow goes a long way.

By the end of your work term you can then try to go past the expectations laid out for you and that’s when other opportunities crop up. For me, I was able to stay in the lab and keep working as a work-study student.

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