Featured Student: Caitlin Lichimo

"I now know how to tailor my experiences to new opportunities.

At the beginning of my undergrad, I had such a narrow idea of the prospective careers available in the natural sciences and it was surprising to see that there are an infinite amount of opportunities out there."

What is your major and when will you graduate?

My major is Environmental Sciences, with a specialization in ecology and conservation.

I will gradudate in 2025.

Why did you choose to enroll in co-op?

Co-op was one of the best choices I've made in my undergrad and the best decision I've made career-wise.

The internal job listings reserved for co-op students are endless and provide easy(ish) access to short-term internships, that would otherwise be difficult to find and secure on your own.

Being away on co-op for 16 months allows me to take a much-needed break from academic coursework, while maintaining the benefits of being registered as a full-time student and putting the theory that I've learned into practice.

Not only am I able to extend my learning outside of the classroom with guidance and support from professionals in my field, but I have extensive networking opportunities that will aid me after graduation.

Although I've worked several jobs during school, none of them have been relevant to my degree or full-time positions. Co-op allows me to gain the relevant skills, without having to reduce my course load or sacrifice my grades.

Which positions did you work during co-op?

I am currently working for the Government of Canada, with Public Services and Procurement Canada Pacific Region's Environmental Services and Contaminated Sites Management team as an Environmental Officer.

I will be here for eight months, before job searching for my next position.

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

I have a really great supervisor and it's been awesome getting one-on-one guidance from her.

As a co-op student, there's less pressure on you, as your employer supports your transition into the working world, because your mentors want to help you succeed.

It feels rewarding every time I exceed peoples' expectations and provide useful insight to the team.

What was your best achievement in co-op?

Even securing a position was a major achievement. Small steps are still progress.

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

It was intimidating at first, stepping into the office knowing that this was the start of the rest of my career.

I watched how all the project managers handled their heavy loads of work and it daunted me to know that I would soon have those real-world responsibilities.

I reminded myself that I shouldn't be afraid to start a new chapter in my life, go in head first and make the most of this new experience.

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

I'm learning how to maintain a work-life balance without burning myself out.

I'm understanding how to work full time while also having time to exercise and keep in touch with my friends, who are also starting their full-time careers.

I'm also navigating how to separate work life from personal life.

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

If there's one thing I've learned from the co-op program, it's that any skills are useful if you know how to maneuver them.

I never realized how much the things I learned in school could be relevant to a job. I now know how to tailor my experiences to new opportunities. At the beginning of my undergrad, I had such a narrow idea of the prospective careers available in the natural sciences and it was surprising to see that there are an infinite amount of opportunities out there.

What advice would you offer future co-op students?

Keep an open mind and make the most out of your co-op terms, even if it's not something you completely enjoy.

Meet as many people as you can and put yourself out there; be proactive in making your name and face known.

Bringing your passion for your field of study into the workplace will give you a much better perspective – and don’t forget to have fun! :)

What are you looking forward to after graduation?

Travelling with the money I've saved up from co-op!

I also look forward to making the most of my last undergrad year. I want to continue learning and growing as much as I can while I'm still a student.

Published: August 2023