As a recent graduate from Mount Saint Vincent University’s (MSVU) Bachelor of Public Relations program with a Minor in Marketing, I can tell you that completing three co-op terms set me up for success.
Building upon classroom experience
While learning about the various communication tasks in the classroom was helpful, practicing them in the real world gave me valuable hands-on experience that better prepared me as a PR professional after graduation.
When completing my second co-op term with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), I was able to take the knowledge I learned from my courses and apply it to drafting news releases for the federal government.
Rather than being a project that I only worked on a few times, drafting news releases became a regular responsibility and habit. This allowed me to hone my skills and tailor my writing to a certain industry.
Additionally, being able to pitch articles to the media was something I did not have the opportunity to do when learning about news releases in the classroom. Without having the barriers often faced in an academic environment, completing this work term provided me with valuable experience that I benefitted from in the long term.
Currently, as Communications Officer for the Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative Caucus Office, I regularly draft and send out press releases to media across the province. The experience I received from my position with ACOA tremendously helped me gain confidence in drafting documents and providing meaningful support to my colleagues who do not have a formal PR background.
Creating a professional network
During my job search after graduation, I found it essential to have a wide network of professionals in the field who knew me. This process made connecting with people about different job opportunities or providing personalized advice easier.
Through this, connections with my previous employer, Shannex (where I completed my third co-op placement), helped me understand what type of communications work interests me. The Director of Brand Integrity at Shannex helped me discover that working in an agency environment is something I love and would thrive in.
Our communications team with the NS PC Caucus Office often feels like our own PR agency for our MLAs. Regularly, we support MLAs with communications advice through strategic planning and assistance with creating different types of PR materials.
Additionally, by already having a professional network established, I was able to have existing connections introduce me to other professionals in the field I did not know.
Ending with one year’s worth of experience
Once I finished my degree, entering the workforce in my field did not seem too daunting, given the experience I received throughout my three co-op terms.
After completing three co-op terms that lasted four months each, I could graduate with a full year of work experience under my belt. This gave me some reassurance while looking for a position, as I could tailor my resume and interviews based on my workplace experience.
Finding what roles interest me
During my co-op terms, I could pick and choose different types of roles and fields to try.
When I started university, I was unsure what industry or type of communications role I wanted. This is why having the option to choose different placements in various industries helps students figure out what jobs are right for them.
Fortunately, I was able to do all three of my co-op terms at different workplaces and types of industries, including not-for-profit with the Centre Women in Business, government with ACOA, and retirement living and long-term care with Shannex. This helped me discover what roles I enjoy most and the types of tasks such as creating social media, written articles, and interacting with various stakeholders and publics.
Final thoughts
Overall, my experience with the co-op program was extremely positive and beneficial to my career development. Being able to have a group of people support me is something the Mount’s co-op team does above and beyond. If anyone is questioning whether to do co-op terms or not, don’t hesitate. It is the best decision I made for my professional development.
Alumni Contributor: Claire Butler
