You may recall, I was back in Ottawa in August and, while there, I decided to drop by Carleton University’s Co-operative Education office to speak to another intern, just like me. Here is that interview with the very friendly Barbara Hanna, a current Carleton  
co-op student.

What are you studying?

I am a fourth year student doing a Bachelor in Public Affairs and Policy Management (BPAPM) with a concentration in International Studies and a Minor in History. I chose the BPAPM program because it was the perfect blend of politics along with other topics such as political economy and globalization.

What made you choose a program that offered co-operative education?

One of the main reasons why I chose Public Affairs at Carleton was the availability of a co-operative education program. I knew that a combination of a degree with relative work experience provides a far better chance for successful employment than just a degree.

How has co-operative education enhanced the value of your education and/or degree?

The Carleton University co-op education program has provided me with the opportunity to experience different jobs and has further expanded my interest in the field of international affairs. I found that having previous co-op experience has greatly increased my chances for employment. I noticed this when I was going through the interview process for my third co-op placement. Many recruiters seem to give preference to students with co-op experience.

Beyond the more obvious benefits of improving my employment opportunities, I also enjoy how the program enables students to test their skills and ensure that they enjoy what they’re doing. As a co-operative student, you can evaluate and possibly take steps to change your career path. On the other end you can also discover what you truly enjoy, and build on those skill sets while you’re still in university.

How has co-operative education altered your career path?

Rather than altering my career path, the program has enhanced it. Co-operative education offered me the opportunity to work with the Canadian Federal Government, an opportunity I did not think I could reach until I had finished my Bachelor’s degree. The experience had opened my eyes to new possibilities and new work options. I had a general idea of my future career path once I chose my major at Carleton University, but I was never certain of the exact position that I would strive for until I had the chance to experience working on a co-op term with the Government of Canada.

My Carleton co-operative experience includes two positions: an administrative assistant for the Information/Knowledge Branch of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and a junior analyst at the Department of Citizenship and Immigration. The co-op placements helped me discover the type of position I would be interested in pursuing after the completion of my degree.

Did the option of co-operative education influence your choice on where you studied?

One of the main reasons that I chose Carleton University and the Public Affairs and Policy Management major was because I knew the program included co-operative education. I chose Carleton University because it was clear to me that this university offered many great opportunities that I would enjoy participating in. Thanks to my co-op experience, I realized that I need a Master’s degree for a successful career in the field of my choice. Upon completion of my Bachelor degree I plan to apply for admission to the Norman Patterson School of International Affairs.

Would you recommend co-operative education to other students?

Absolutely – in fact I wish it was offered in all departments!
I found the co-operative education experience to be very rewarding and enriching. I would definitely recommend the co-operative education program to any student who wants to gain valuable work experience and a competitive advantage when it comes to employment. It is an experience that a lot of students could (and do) benefit from.

What have been some of the greatest challenges and the greatest successes of your co-operative education experience?

One of the challenges was to quickly educate myself about information technology to be able to better understand and contribute to the work of the Information/Knowledge Branch of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. I learned to conduct extensive research, improved my knowledge of MS Office and had numerous opportunities to practice speaking both French and Russian.

Photo: James Park

What sort(s) of jobs were you working for prior to your involvement with the co-operative education program?

I worked as a representative at the Carleton University Campus Card Office for two years. Prior to that, I had a summer job as a desk clerk at the Carleton University Department of Conference Services. My work experience also included a volunteer internship for a Member of Parliament and four years as a retail associate at Smart Set.

Do you have any final words of advice to current or future co-op students?

Take the time to look into what Carleton has to offer. It’s easy to do on Carleton’s website. There are tons of great departments, and numerous places to go for advice and guidance. I am sure that if students took the time, they would find all these hidden resources that they didn’t know existed here.