How I Did It: Securing a Co-op Job
Alyssa Mandarino is a Master of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) student who completed two co-op terms throughout her studies. Here, she gives insight into her job search and application process as a co-op student.
Work Term Overview
My first co-op was at Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) with the Indigenous Guardians Secretariat. In this position, I worked with my team to support program development in collaboration with First Nations, Inuit, and Metis Guardians.
My second co-op term was at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) with the Security Policy Division. In this position, I was involved in security policy development for the federal government.
Application Process
I applied for roughly a dozen positions for each of my terms. I applied for positions that I found interesting, even if I did not have a lot of experience in the discipline. For example, I had little experience in environmental policy, but it was something I was interested in exploring. When I applied to ECCC, I did a lot of research on the team and the program.
During the application and interview stages, I made sure to highlight my transferable skills, such as research and communication skills, to help showcase my strengths. By tailoring each of my applications, I was able to secure co-op jobs I was excited about within the first month of my job search.
Advice for Students
Something to avoid during the co-op application stage is not doing enough research about the organization you are applying to. Researching the organization not only helps you better understand if the position aligns with your interests, but also helps you tailor your application and show genuine interest in the interview stage. Understanding an organization’s core mandate and goals can help you stand out as a strong applicant.