Sydney McIntyre (BSc ’22, MS ’24) has always been passionate about the environment. It was seeing the impact a career in sustainability could have on the world around her, however, that really hit home.

Already a graduate of Brock’s Faculty of Mathematics and Science, McIntyre received her Master of Sustainability as part of the University’s 115th Convocation on Tuesday, June 11.

She wasn’t waiting long to get to work, either. Thanks to the regionally specific experience she gained during her co-op term, McIntyre has already begun a full-time role with the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority.

“The knowledge I obtained on the Niagara River corridor during my co-op really gave me a step up on other job candidates,” McIntyre said. “By the end, I was completely fascinated with the natural history and science behind the Niagara River and gorge, allowing me to transition into my current position very well.”

McIntyre completed her co-op term as an Education and Stewardship Student at the Niagara Parks Commission, where she monitored local hiking trails and worked to increase environmental stewardship through public events. She also assisted in implementing an invasive species program she co-developed as part of the Excellence in Environmental Stewardship Initiative (EESI), a partnership between Niagara Parks and Brock’s Environmental Sustainability Research Centre (ESRC).

Jerica Galo (BBA ’24) graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration on Monday, June 10 during Brock University’s 115th Convocation.

That combination of local experience allowed McIntyre to hit the ground running at her current position as the Co-ordinator for the Niagara River Remedial Action Plan, where she works on projects that protect, restore and enhance the Niagara River.

“This role is even more than I aspired to get post-graduation,” she said. “I always knew I wanted to work with people and the environment, so this is a perfect fit and will allow me to contribute to ensuring our world is a safe and healthy place for futures to come.”

Julia Zhu, Director, Co-op, Career and Experiential Education, said co-op experiences provide connections between academic training and real-world applications, helping students build professional networks and make informed career decisions.

“Co-op also fosters essential skills — like teamwork and complex problem-solving — while providing insights into diverse industries,” she added.

Jerica Galo (BBA ’24), who received her Bachelor of Business Administration on Monday, June 10, said she was able to secure a job she loves thanks to the diversity of her co-op experiences.

After completing two work terms as an Accounts Payable Co-ordinator at Rhenus Logistics, she opted to complete a distinctly different third term in Brock’s co-op office as a Student Talent Development Assistant. After realizing she was passionate about working with people one-on-one, she decided to move away from a career in finance, accepting a job as a Management Trainee Intern with Enterprise Canada.

“The entire co-op team believed in me — even on days I didn’t believe in myself,” Galo said. “They provided me with confidence and motivation to pursue all opportunities in my career and to strive for greatness.”

Hannah Chan (BCB ’24) graduated with a Bachelor of Computing and Business on Monday, June 10 during Brock University’s 115th Convocation.

Having a supportive team on her side also helped Hannah Chan (BCB ’24) go outside of her comfort zone to pursue a challenging career path.

Chan, who earned her Bachelor of Computing and Business on Monday, June 10, completed her first term as a Junior UX Designer Ministry of Transportation, Labour and Transportation Cluster, followed by a second as a Business Analyst at the Bank of Montreal.

During her final term, she worked as a Software Developer with the Government of Canada, where she was ultimately hired after completing her co-op. Chan said the technical skills, adaptability and confidence she gained during her co-op allowed her to transition the experience into a full-time career.

“I really liked the problem-solving and collaboration that I was doing as a software developer and really enjoyed the team environment and challenges we were solving,” she said. “Contributing to the team and building connections within the organization led to a full-time offer at the end of my co-op term.”

The connections formed during her time at Brock were extremely valuable to McIntyre, too.

“Co-op was important to me because I really wanted to make connections and learn from someone in the field, and it gave me ample connections that have led me to starting my career,” she said. “I cannot thank the faculty and my peers from the ESRC, as well as the staff at Niagara Parks Commission, enough for shaping me into the person I am today.”