If you’re a data science co-op student, BC’s AI and quantum computing ecosystem offers an opportunity to apply analytical skills to real-world problems. Whether you’re passionate about machine learning, big data, or quantum algorithms, this sector is where your skills can directly shape the future of health, security, and global competitiveness. With a 10-year target to double tech-sector employment to 400,000 jobs and grow economic value by 75%, this is a space where data scientists will be at the heart of innovation.
Why Data Science Matters Here
600+ AI companies in BC, most already generating revenue, rely on data scientists to build, train, and evaluate models.
Quantum computing research creates new frontiers for data analysis, optimization, and cybersecurity.
The sector’s growth means more demand for data-driven insights across industries like health care, agriculture, geospatial analytics, and defence.
Current Opportunities
Data science co-op students can expect to work on:
AI in medicine: algorithms for cancer screening and drug discovery
Geospatial analytics: satellite imagery processed with advanced AI to detect real-time environmental changes
Cybersecurity: quantum-ready solutions that protect sensitive data
Applied machine learning: predictive modelling for agriculture, legal services, and public health
Goals That Shape Your Career Path
BC’s strategy includes:
Leading Canada in developing and testing AI and quantum use cases
Expanding AI adoption in businesses, creating demand for data scientists who can translate insights into ROI
Establishing a K-12 AI advisory committee, signaling long-term investment in data literacy and workforce development
Doubling the size of the AI and quantum sectors, meaning more jobs for analysts, engineers, and researchers
Why It Matters for Data Science Students
For co-op and early-career data scientists, this growth means:
Hands-on experience with large-scale datasets in health, agriculture, and defence
Opportunities to design machine learning pipelines and optimize algorithms for real-world impact
Exposure to quantum computing applications, where data science meets next-generation hardware
A chance to contribute to projects with global reach, from drug discovery to climate resilience
The Bigger Picture
75% of AI companies in BC are already generating revenue, showing strong market traction.
The AI sector is projected to grow at a 24.3% annual rate, reaching $2.64 billion GDP by 2031.
Investments in the Quantum Algorithms Institute (QAI) and partnerships with universities and industry ensure data scientists will be central to advancing quantum readiness and AI innovation.
BC offers a thriving environment for science co-op students where your work can contribute to food security, sustainability, and global trade. Whether your interests lie in agritech, greenhouse innovation, or value-added food manufacturing, this sector is full of opportunities to learn, grow, and make an impact.
For undergraduate science students exploring co-op opportunities, BC’s agriculture and food sector is more than farms and fields, it’s a $19-billion industry driving innovation, sustainability, and global trade.
With 74,000 jobs already in place and ambitious targets to grow exports by 25% over the next decade, this sector is opening doors for students interested in agritech, food science, and climate resilience.
Why It Matters for Students
For co-op students, this growth translates into:
Placements in food-processing labs, agritech startups, and greenhouse operations
Opportunities to work on climate-resilient agriculture and food security projects
Hands-on experience in value-added manufacturing and global supply chains
Building From Strength
$19 billion in revenues annually
$6 billion in exports to global markets
32,000 businesses supporting communities across the province
Food and beverage manufacturing makes up 65% of sector revenue, making it BC’s second-largest manufacturing industry
This foundation is being strengthened by major investments in dairy, greenhouse production, and food processing. All this is creating new opportunities for students to contribute to innovation in agriculture.
What’s Happening Now
Recent expansions and projects are reshaping the sector:
Vitalus Nutrition and Punjab Milk Foods (Nanak Foods) expanding milk protein and plant-based manufacturing
Greenhouse sector growth in both capacity and diversity of crops
Project AgriGuard: a $382-million rendering facility boosting domestic and international export capacity
These initiatives are creating new pathways for careers in food science, agritech, and sustainable production.
Goals for the Next Decade
BC’s agriculture strategy aims to:
Create new opportunities in agriculture, agritech, and food processing
Leverage a 17% increase in dairy production to expand value-added milk and plant protein manufacturing
Increase greenhouse production to meet rising demand
Build an environment that reduces costs, supports scale, and improves affordability
Expand exports beyond the US by 25%
The Bigger Picture
Over the past two years, the province has invested more than $300 million in food security, climate resilience, Indigenous food sovereignty, and supply chain improvements. A new $496-million plant and animal health centre in the Fraser Valley will further protect food supply, public health, and export markets.
With rising global demand for safe, sustainable, high-quality food, BC’s agriculture sector is positioned to drive inclusive economic growth and innovation, and students have a chance to be part of it.
BC’s life sciences sector is one of the most exciting places to launch your career. Whether you’re passionate about biomanufacturing, clinical trials, or data-driven health solutions, this sector is full of opportunities to learn, grow, and make an impact.
Over the next decade, BC is aiming to boost its life sciences economic impact by 75% and double employment to 40,000 jobs. This means more opportunities for co-op students to step into cutting-edge research, biomanufacturing, and health innovation.
Why It Matters for Students
For co-op students, this growth means:
More placements in labs, biotech firms, and research organizations
Opportunities to work on global health challenges and emerging technologies
A chance to contribute to projects with real-world impact, from pandemic preparedness to cancer therapies
Building From Strength
BC has the fastest-growing life sciences sector in Canada
2,000 companies employing 20,000 workers
$1.7 billion in leveraged investment fueling growth
This momentum is built on decades of foundational research and a track record of success: B.C. companies have contributed to 22 therapeutic innovations approved for patient treatment in the past 25 years.
What’s Happening Now
The province is investing heavily in:
Research funding and commercialization projects
Advanced biomanufacturing capabilities
Infrastructure like wet labs and training facilities
These investments are creating a stronger ecosystem for students, researchers, and companies to collaborate and innovate.
Goals for the Next Decade
B.C.’s Life Sciences Action Plan sets ambitious targets:
Establish an advanced mRNA and lipid nanoparticle hub for biodefense
Expand expertise in nuclear medicine
Grow clinical trials infrastructure and capacity
Increase access to capital for life sciences companies
Leverage anonymized health data to accelerate innovation
Double employment to 40,000 by 2031
The Bigger Picture
With over $815 million committed by the provincial government and $1.7 billion in federal and private investment, B.C. is positioning itself as a world-class hub for life sciences and biomanufacturing. International investors and pharmaceutical firms are already taking notice, making this a sector where students can grow alongside groundbreaking innovation.
BC is home to pioneering co-op employers and researchers who played a key role in developing COVID-19 vaccines and treatments:
Acuitas Therapeuticscontinues to develop best-in-class LNP delivery systems, proven to be incredibly effective for mRNA Vaccines and next-generation CRISPR therapies.
Genevant Sciencesholds more than 700 LNP patents and maintains global pharmaceutical partnerships.
Cytiva, formerly Precision NanoSystems, specializes in LNP formulations.
Evonik Canadaoffers GMP manufacturing services for RNA therapeutics.
Overall, B.C. is positioning itself as a launchpad for next-generation therapeutics and vaccines, with a focus on scalable, sustainable innovation in life sciences.
This density plot show that most science co-op jobs are posted on day 14 of each term.
That said, Victoria employers tend to post their co-op jobs later in the term. These will be a mix of 4 and 8 month positions.
In addition, many labs on campus don’t post jobs on the co-op portal as they expect that interested students will take initiative to reach to them individually. I recommend writing an email to the faculty members who are doing research that is interesting to you.
Finding a researcher
Not every researcher will post a job on the co-op portal, but many will have funding to hire students for the summer. Here are some links that list different researchers in the various departments who hire students:
You should send a brief note where you ask to set up an informational interview with a researcher or a senior lab member to discuss summer opportunities in the lab.
In this email, say what it is about the projects that this lab is working on that are compelling you to reach out. Let them know your GPA and whether you are NSERC-USRA eligible. Don’t attach a resume or transcript yet, but be prepared to provide this information at the meeting.
You may need to be persistent and send the message twice – I would recommend waiting a week before reaching out a second time.
Do you know the local associations and industry groups related to your program? One of the best steps you can take in your career is getting involved with local professional associations and industry groups. These organizations often offer networking events, student rates, mentorship, specialized industry job boards, and conversations with professionals who want to support emerging talent. Here are a few great groups in Greater Victoria to explore: VIATEC(Victoria Innovation, Advanced Technology & Entrepreneurship Council):https://www.viatec.ca/ Ideal for students in Business, Tech, Entrepreneurship, Engineering, and Marketing. Hosts events, job boards, and a strong local startup/tech community. COAST (Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies):https://canadacoast.ca/ Ideal for students interested in ocean tech, marine sciences, sustainability, engineering, and environmental innovation. Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce:https://lnkd.in/g7xF3cFP The Chamber hosts networking events, workshops, and panels that connects students from all disciplines with employers, entrepreneurs, and leaders across the region. South Island Prosperity Partnership(SIPP):https://lnkd.in/g2f2K7cZ Focused on regional economic development, innovation, and collaboration. Great for business, public administration, economics, and policy-minded students. Island Women in Science & Technology (iWIST):https://www.iwist.ca/ iWIST brings together women and allies in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math located in the West Coast island communities Vancouver Island Life Sciences (VILS):https://www.vils.ca/ Vancouver Island Life Sciences association (VILS) is a volunteer, nonprofit society that brings together the life-sciences community in Victoria and around the Island, and connects it with the global life science community. If you’re exploring co-op pathways or building your career direction, these groups are a great place to begin building relationships. Showing up, asking insightful questions, and getting plugged in to the local community can open doors to co-ops, mentorship, and meaningful opportunities.
Networking is more that just meeting new people. It’s also about maintaining existing relationships. This involves staying in touch with contacts, sharing updates on your work, and offering support and assistance when needed. This all supports your career growth and development.
Here are three questions you can ask at your next event to start to grow you professional network.
Start by asking where they did their undergrad
Reply to show you know something about the school or the area.
Using humour can be a great way to get the conversation rolling.
Try gently poking fun (any other school in Canada will have worse weather than UVic!)
Next, ask for some advice: What can I do in my first few years after school to succeed?
This is where you can tap into someone’s enthusiasm for their field
Follow their lead and start to build rapport
Thank them for the great advice
Conclude by asking “Do you mind if I keep in touch with how things go?”
When you use that great advice you got, let them know that they saved you time, you learned so much.
This will continue to build the relationship over time.
As this camaraderie grows, the network of people you can call on when you are looking for your next opportunity will expand as well.
There are more non-bench careers in biotech beyond sales and marketing than many people realize.
Biospace published a list of 10 positions that don’t require any lab work. These include:
Regulatory Affairs Specialist
Clinical Research Associate
Technical Writer
Business Development Manager
Medical Science Liaison
Project Manager
Business Systems Analyst
Quality Assurance Specialist
Medical Affairs Manager
Medical Sales Representative
You may find BioPharmGuy‘s historical list of 10,000 entry level biotech jobs to be helpful in understanding what types of jobs are out there to start your career and what qualifications are needed. Beware – it is one huge page meant to be perused on a big screen!
J. Kelly Hoey spoke at a UVic Alumni event in the Fall of 2021. You can watch the recording of her talk at the bottom of this page. I just finished reading her book Build Your Dream Network and I took notes that I wanted to organize and share.
People, persistence, planning, politeness, and people
Your network won’t build itself overnight. Don’t get discouraged. Keep at it! A swipe might get you a date, but building real relationships is a long term investment in other people.
What it’s not
“Those moments when you exchange business cards with someone and figure out how you can benefit from them.” ~Jonathan Beninson
What it is
Networking is all about strategic curiosity. You can’t type in your question and expect an immediate answer with people you meet. When you use your network like a search engine:
You might not get the answer you’re interested in
You might not get any answer at all
Think about what you’re interested in doing and what the person you’re interested in meeting with is interested in. When a connection benefits both, it is more valuable for both.
“You can’t just sit back and think magic will happen – you gotta enthusiastically wave your wand, put some tricks up your sleeve.” ~ Alison Levine
Consistent actions produce results more often than serendipitous encounters with a dream boss in the grocery store line up. Think sit-ups: consistency is where the effort you put in gets you on the path to success.
What’s your goal?
How do you figure it out? Do some research – talk to someone who loves what they do!
You have an idea, but … What’s causing that hesitation or uncertainty? Do you need to conduct more research? Maybe you need to talk to a mentor or get more feedback to focus on your goal.
So you have a goal! So move on to deciding who can help you reach it!
Who can help you achieve your goal?
Time to do some research – ask a mentor and seek information from friends. If they are already in your network, stop procrastinating and ask for help! If they aren’t in your network, take a second look. Don’t overlook anyone – everyone matters.
Strong connections – friends, family
Shared experiences – coworkers, club members, classmates, peers
Learning – mentor, boss, teacher
Relationships
“Relationships are your secret weapon. It pays off (big time) to be nice.” ~Erin Newkirk
It’s all about gratitude. End a conversation by saying thank you. Introduce yourself by saying, “Hello, my name is Heather and I’m grateful to be here. Thank you for having me.” Sign an email using “With Gratitude”.
Purpose and preparation
Know why you wrote an email or sent a message or accepted the invitation to an event.
Is the opportunity aligned with my goal(s)?
Will my participation add value to the other attendees and be valuable to me?
Does the opportunity expand my connections or build on existing relationships?
What does my gut say?
Events you should never turn down
Never say no to opportunities to get to know your peers and colleagues. The importance of social skills at work is directly related to the way technology has shifted the way the work is organized towards flexible teams, job rotation, and multitasking.
Things you can do to improve your visibility online
Maintain a complete LinkedIn profile
Once a week, post an update on: industry-relevant news, about an event you are attending, or a question for your network
Connect with everyone you meet on LInkedIn
Ways to build connections IRL and online:
Follow the person on Twitter or Tik Tok
See who you might have as a common connection on LinkedIn and ask for and introduction
Send a LinkedIn connection request to people you meet at events. Include where/when you met, who you have incommon, why you may want to stay connected
Follow the person’s publications or posts on their blog or places like Medium.
Leverage your UVic alumni network. Over 184,000 people follow UVic on LinkedIn – an amazing resource for job leads and introductions
Set up a Google alert for when companies or individuals are mentioned in the news
Attend events when you discover the person you want to meet is scheduled to speak
Live tweet interesting panel discussions at an event and make sure to include the Twitter handle of the panelists
During Q&A Sessions, tell people your role, company, department, then ask your question in a clear and precise manner.
Follow up connections that you make online with real-life meeting – can be as quick as a chat over coffee at a conference.
When you feel like your email is being ignored, send it again, politely. And follow up again after that too.
Keep your connections in the loop so they can share in the joy of your success along the way.
Searching for a co-op job can be a long and frustrating process; especially for those looking for their first co-op. With little relevant work experience, it can be hard to stand out from the pack.
I have found during my job searches, the key to success is perseverance and being open-minded to all opportunities that could help you grow personally and professionally!
My first co-op job search consisted of applying to 20+ jobs before landing my first interview. I mean it when I tell you that it took everything I had to keep writing cover letters on top of regular school work and other life commitments. Sending off application after application is a gruelling process and the lack of response from many companies, even to notify of rejection, makes it hard to stay motivated.
For those looking for their first co-op, my biggest piece of advice is to keep sending off those applications, seek help to improve your application, and stay open to any opportunity that could benefit you in the future. While searching for my first co-op, I applied for many jobs in diverse areas. If you are anything like me, I had no idea what types of jobs were available for me as a student getting a degree in science.
This is a perfect opportunity to see what is out there! I have always been interested in the science of human health, so I started out applying for jobs in biotech labs and research institutes. I quickly realized that these positions require much more experience than I had at the time by the lack of responses I was receiving. I decided to broaden my scope. I started applying for jobs in the lab or field that would provide me with the basic techniques and knowledge required to obtain positions in the future that aligned closer to my career goals.
I got my first job as a microbial ecology research student working at Agriculture and Agri-foods Canada in Saskatchewan. This 8-month work term provided me with extremely valuable fundamental lab and field skills on top of a thorough understanding of how scientific research works.
While I was hesitant to move to a completely new city to work in a field that did not initially align with what I thought my interests were, I found the research extremely fulfilling and the lab techniques I learned put me at an advantage when I came back to UVic labs.
Most importantly, by taking a risk and applying to a job completely outside my interests at the time, I gained the valuable experience needed to find my next co-op working as a Research Assistant in immunobiology at the University of Calgary. The research I completed here was much closer to what I see myself pursuing in my future career and it was only possible because of what I learned working in agricultural science during my first co-op.
I will be starting grad school at the University of Calgary all because of the small but significant steps each co-op term helped me climb to build my knowledge and skills.
Overall, I know searching for a co-op can be a frustrating process, but with perseverance and an open mind, the interviews and offers will follow! It only takes one and then it gets a lot easier from there!
September 2025 update: After graduating from UVic, Liam moved back to Calgary to continue his studies as a PhD student with Jonathan Canton’s lab in the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary.
