Co-op Can Be A Pretty Sweet Deal
Author: Ideas with Impact
Posted on Dec 16, 2014
Category: Students
UNB's business co-op program has helped hundreds of students get excellent job experience and be exposed to many employers over the years. Some students however have made such an impression on their employers that they have earned jobs post graduation. One of these lucky students, Matthew Rogers, landed a position with one of Canada's sweetest companies: Ganong Brothers.
Hearing about all the great experience and connection opportunities with co-op convinced Matthew to apply for the program. After the co-op workshops had prepped him in resume and interview skills, he was ready to interview for positions.
Matthew landed a fall and winter term co-op at Ganong Brothers in St. Stephen. With the help of the co-op staff and academic advisors at UNB, he was able to reconfigure his schedule to allow him to finish his degree while gaining invaluable experience.
Initially hired as a Business Analyst, Matthew was eventually moved into the position of Supply Chain Supervisor, which opened the doors to a whole new side of the business. In this position he had direct reports, travelled for work and negotiated contracts. Upon graduation Matthew was hired full time to the role of a Department Manager, a position that would have been unattainable to most new graduates. Through Ganong Bros, Matthew also received professional development training in Lean 6 Sigma (for which he now is a black belt).
Overall, Matthew believes that his co-op experience has been extremely beneficial and has been a great way to begin his professional career. The series of roles he was able to experience at Ganong Brothers has given him the opportunity to develop his skills and move easily into positions with increasing responsibilities.
UNB's co-op program connects students with employers so they can gain meaningful experience while earning their degree. Many students are hired by their co-op employers, sometimes into positions they otherwise wouldn't have been able to qualify for. For Matthew Rogers, it was a pretty sweet deal.
By Maddie Tees.
For more information contact Liz Lemon-Mitchell