As we get into the swing of our winter semester, we often get into the groove of our routine or start a new one altogether. For the fourth-year BPR Students it may be your last semester at the Mount and with that comes some reflection.
As I reflect on my time at the Mount, I can’t help but think of my co-op experiences. I feel so lucky that we have an amazing co-op program integrated into our degree. Many of our first-year readers will be gearing up to begin their first co-ops and in some cases their very first jobs. That’s why I want to share my first co-op job search experience, as I did not end up in the industry or line of work, I thought I would, and I am grateful for it.
Private, public, or not-for-profit…
One thing I thought for certain when I started my search was that I didn’t want to work in the public or not-for-profit sector. I had this preconceived notion it wouldn’t pay well and align with where I wanted to be after I graduated. Looking back, this is funny for two reasons. Number one, through all three co-ops I have not worked in the private sector. Number two, it was silly of me to even consider cutting out these amazing opportunities based on judgment.
Choosing an industry
If I had one piece of advice for new co-op students it is this, be open to any industry, even ones you may not see yourself in. Read those job descriptions, you may just surprise yourself with what you find interesting.
Although this next tip applies more to second and third co-ops it is still worth mentioning. You might find yourself in a similar situation as me, where you have to decide if you want to complete your second co-op placement with the same employer or venture out into the world. When I went through my first job search, I never thought I would re-apply for my co-op placement once again.
I decided to complete my first two co-ops at the same place because I realized I wanted to get the most out of the experience. I still agree with my reasoning but slightly changed my view.
If you find yourself in a great co-op, with an amazing team, and a lot of projects to get your hands dirty with new skills why not? As long as you feel as though you are being challenged, learning new things, and gaining confidence, you are well on track.
I also want to mention that if you find yourself in a different position after your first co-op that is okay too. That’s the beauty of the co-op program, every student finds their footing and career journey.
Job descriptions and duties
If you’re in your first year and have just completed a full semester of classes and in particular the PBRL 1010, foundations of public relations, then you will have a grasp on the areas of practice in the PR profession. This foundation course, in my opinion, will give you an idea of the type of PR field you might want to try in your first co-op.
I remember browsing through job descriptions searching for the first co-op and seeing duties that excited me more than others. What is great about co-ops is you might have an idea of something you want and change directions after your experience. Media relations was a part of PR that excited me after taking the course. However, after having media relations as a part of my co-op role, I learned that while I enjoy it, it’s not something I would want as my main responsibility.
On the other hand, when I first job searched for co-ops I hesitated to apply for positions that asked for the creation of social media content and graphics. Turns out, I love content creation. All this to say, you never know until you try it. Don’t miss out on applying for a great co-op placement because of one bullet, it may just be your favourite thing.
In conclusion, I know that co-op can be stressful. However, just remember, it’s a rewarding experience and you have amazing help at the co-op office so be sure to use it.
I hope this article will help some of you navigate the application process and reminds you to get outside your comfort zone. Happy hunting!
Written By: Logan Oderkirk, Editor
