Finding the Right Fit: How Co‑op Shaped My Career Path
I’m Gabby Makovka, a winter 2026 graduate of the Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies Honours Co-op program.
Tell us about your co-op experience: where did you did you work and what were your roles?
Going into co-op, I had one clear goal: to transition into marketing with a communications degree. I’ve always enjoyed studying communications, but I wanted to apply my education in a more business-driven way.
I started at Gusto Worldwide Media (Gusto TV), an international food channel, as a Social Media Assistant, where I focused on content creation, including planning, filming, editing, and posting short-form videos to promote shows and recipes. It was a fast-paced environment that helped me develop a strong understanding of content production and execution.
I then moved to Accurate Creative, a marketing agency, as a Junior Marketing Officer, where I shifted into strategy. I built an internal marketing plan, developed messaging for clients, and created analytics reports to guide decisions. This is where I started to see how marketing connects to broader business goals.
For my final co-op, I joined Aeris Protective Packaging Inc. as a Content Specialist, where I brought both strategy and execution together. I built a content and social strategy from scratch, while also working on SEO (search engine optimization) and email marketing.
Overall, the combination of these three experiences helped me better understand what I enjoy (and don’t), where I’m strongest, and the kind of roles I want to pursue.
When you were applying to your co-op employers, what do you think contributed to your success in landing the jobs? How did you prepare for your interviews?
One of the biggest things that helped me was focusing on highlighting how my skills were compatible with those of the job (what they call being the “right fit”) rather than trying to prove I was “good enough.” In practice, that meant tailoring each application to the job description by drawing clear connections between my past experience and the skills they were looking for. I focused on showing how my background fit both the role and the company, which made it easier for employers to see me as a strong match.
I also took a combined approach to my job searches, with the role at Gusto coming from the Co-op Job Board and roles at Accurate and Aeris from independent job search. For my role at Accurate, I reached out directly to companies I was interested in, which led to an opportunity I wouldn’t have found otherwise. That experience showed me the value of being proactive in your job search!
What skills did you gain at Carleton that were most valuable during your co-op work terms?
The most valuable skills I gained at Carleton were writing, professional communication, and critical thinking. In particular, analyzing advertisements and PR case studies helped me develop an ability to understand how messaging, design, and tone influence audience perception. That’s something I applied directly to my co-op terms: thinking not just about creating content, but how it will be interpreted and whether it aligns with the intended message.
What was the most valuable lesson, skill, or experience you took away from your work terms and why?
Learning how to communicate my work in a way that resonates with different stakeholders.
At Accurate Creative, I was given the opportunity to take on meaningful work, including writing a blog post, taking leadership on their internal marketing, and creating a content calendar for a client. That level of responsibility required me to clearly explain my ideas and align them with the agency’s business goals. It helped me become more confident in presenting my work and more intentional in how I approach it.
What advice would you give to other co-op students who are job hunting or beginning their professional careers?
Be intentional in your search, but open to exploring.
If a role interests you, take the time to understand why, and use that to guide your search. At the same time, don’t limit yourself to posted roles; reaching out directly can lead to opportunities you might not otherwise find.
It’s also important to recognize that you won’t have everything figured out, and that’s okay. Learning what you don’t enjoy is just as valuable (if not more valuable!) as learning what you do enjoy.
What would you tell other students who are interested in taking co-op?
I’ve spoken to a lot of students who feel intimidated by co-op, and I completely get that. But pushing yourself outside your comfort zone and putting yourself out there professionally is what helps you grow and stand out when applying for roles post-graduation.
Co-op gives you the chance to graduate with real work experience, which is increasingly important in today’s job market, even for entry-level positions. It also lets you explore different roles and environments, so you can better understand your strengths.
For me, co-op provided me with the experience I needed in order to land a role post-graduation that truly aligns with my goals and interests.