BU Co-op achieves 100 per cent employment

Brandon University’s (BU’s) quickly growing Co-operative Education program has achieved a new remarkable milestone: 100 per cent employment for summer 2023!

“All the students in the Co-op Program have landed relevant work opportunities that connect to their degree or their future career path,” said Cora Dupuis, the program’s Coordinator. “What started just a few short years ago with a handful of students and employers has grown into a movement that is making a difference. Employers are getting the talent they need, and 51 bright, capable students have found meaningful work to launch their careers.”

One of those students is Kelsey Musgrove, a second-year Applied Disaster and Emergency Studies major who has her co-op work term with the Airport Safety and Standards Department at the Winnipeg Richardson International Airport.

“The BU Co-op program, under Cora’s guidance gave me a great start,” she said. “Cora challenged me to expand my horizons and I landed this great job, doing emergency management work this summer. Co-op really gives you a jumpstart.”

Heliben Patel also launched her career with BU Co-op.

“As a chemistry major, and an international student, I knew I wanted to set myself apart, so I joined the Co-op program to get relevant and meaningful work experiences,” she said. “Everything I learned from Co-op led me to find this excellent job at Pfizer in Brandon where I can use my knowledge and lab skills in an industry setting. I am so grateful to BU Co-op for helping me to land this opportunity.”

Kalin Contois, an Ojibwe man from Skownan First Nation, and a second-year Sociology major, landed his co-op work term as a Trade Commissioner Assistant with Global Affairs Canada.

“Based on my limited previous work experience, I never imagined I would have an opportunity to work for the Federal Government doing things that have an international impact,” he said. “I am learning so much and am excited to see where Co-op will take me in the future.”

Co-op is a great example of the community engagement and direct career pathways that BU supports as Canada’s Finest Regional University.

“Though it is our first time at full employment, this is our fourth consecutive year with over 90 per cent Co-op student employment. And every year more students and employers get involved,” said BU President Dr. David Docherty. “It shows that programs like Co-op fuel economic growth by providing organizations with readily employable student talent. BU Co-op is propelling our city and our region forward.”

One of those organizations is the Brandon Chamber of Commerce, which hired a BU Co-op student to join its staff team.

“Working with Cora and the BU Co-op Program helped us to identify high-potential candidates, and we selected a great co-op student to join our team. You’ll be seeing DeShawn Ingraham in the office and all of our upcoming events” said Chamber General Manager Connor Ketchen.

The BU Co-op program started in 2018–19 and was able to dramatically expand in 2021 with generous support from the RBC Future Launch Foundation. Now, BU Co-op engages 51 current students across 26 majors in the Faculties of Arts and Science, helping Indigenous, international, and domestic students launch their careers in Brandon and beyond.

For more information about becoming a part of the BU Co-op program, contact Dupuis at 204-571-7848 or DupuisC@BrandonU.ca, or visit BrandonU.ca/Co-op.

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