Featured Student: Alexander Khadra

What is your field of study and when will you graduate?

I’m studying Mathematics and will graduate in May 2024.

Why did you choose to enroll in Co-op?

I enrolled in Science Co-op to experience how I can apply the things that I learned in school into meaningful and impactful projects within my chosen industry.

Additionally, I knew that there were skills that you can only learn through experience and not necessarily in a classroom. Therefore, I wanted to close the knowledge gap that there is between a student and an employee before graduating.

I also wanted to learn exactly which industry and type of job I wanted to go into after graduating. The co-op program offered a great opportunity to explore various different fields and job types before committing to a long-term position.

Which positions did you work during Co-op?

I completed my co-op terms at three different organizations.

My first placement was a Data Analyst at Olsen Consulting, my second placement was a Data Science role at UBC Data Science Institute and my third placement was a Data Science role at Boeing.

Can you share your favourite experience while in co-op?

In my last week at Boeing, my team lead organized a small farewell gathering to celebrate the end of my placement.

After work, we went out to grab some food with drinks and played a couple rounds of bowling. For myself, it was a very heartfelt moment, as it ended a significant chapter in my life and I very much enjoyed spending time with my team. It was a great way to end a great placement with a team that turned a fun job into one of the best experiences I’ve gone through.

What was your best achievement in Co-op?

The best feeling achievement I went through during my placements, was when my managers pointed out improvements in the work that I did.

Getting feedback from your managers and members of the team is vital to your professional development. Taking into account what they suggest and trying to improve is an important part of any job.

When you improve on the aspects that your team members and manager teach you, it's often pointed out by them. It’s super encouraging to know that other people in your field of study recognize your growth throughout the term.

What did you feel most challenged by and how did you overcome it?

It can be nerve-wracking entering a new job, but this is specifically true for a co-op position.

You will most likely be the one of the youngest on your team and have the least experience. This can easily make you feel imposter syndrome and doubt your own abilities. When you’re surrounded with people who are top professionals in the industry, it can be hard to meet the expectations they have on the quality of work while you’re still learning.

The best way to get over this, is to not compare your work with the others in the team, but rather take the opportunity to learn from the senior members of your team and apply their feedback to your work. I find my work to be a lot higher quality after getting advice and feedback from my team.

How do you feel co-op helped your personal growth?

Having worked in various different industries (construction technology, healthcare, consulting, and aerospace) I feel like I’ve learned a lot of general knowledge in various domains that will stick with me for the rest of my life.

How do you feel Co-op has helped your career?

Co-op allows you to explore various options before committing to a full-time job. After exploring various industries and jobs, you not only understand the type of job you want but also the industry that you want to work in.

What advice would you offer to future co-op students?

Take advantage of everything that the co-op program has to offer.

It’s not just a place to find a job, it’s a learning experience. Make sure to learn from the people that you work with and go to the workshops and networking events that co-op offers.

What are you looking forward to after graduation?

After experiencing what it’s like in the work placement with a great team around you, it’s hard not to miss it.

I can’t wait to go back into working in the industry on meaningful projects useful to society, with an encouraging team around me to help me out.