Brock University undergraduate students are getting a head start on their career journeys thanks to Brock Co-op, Career and Experiential Education’s (CCEE) Year 1 Transfer initiative.

Co-op Year 1 Transfer allows current full-time undergraduate students who have completed their first year to apply to participate in co-op programs. Application reviews begin Monday, June 2 with admissions starting mid-June.

“For first-year students who are still figuring it all out, co-op is a way to explore your passions, test your skills in real workplaces, and find direction for your future,” said Co-op Transition Advisor Sarah Anderson. “You don’t need to have all the answers yet. All you need is the curiosity and courage to start the journey.”

Bridging the gap between the classroom and the workplace sealed the decision to join the co-op program for Anesu Mutylebere, a third-year Accounting (CPA Stream) student.

“Coming from a computer science background, I wanted to learn as much as possible in accounting and figure out which industries would interest me,” Mutylebere said.

His first work term at Niagara Piston Inc. was a big change from his past customer service roles.

“It was a new environment. I had to learn accuracy and adapt to office culture,” he said.

Through the support of the CCEE team, including courses like the 0N90 co-op preparation module, Mutylebere refined his resume, cover letter and interview skills.

“I realized I don’t have to go straight to a big company,” Mutylebere said. “Small to medium-sized businesses can offer great opportunities too. Everyone needs work experience. It’s a no-brainer.”

Cameron Mullins, who just completed his fourth year in Business Administration, worked at Henry Schein Canada as an HR Associate and multiple terms at Peninsula Lakes Golf Club, where he was the Back Shop Supervisor.

“I can’t say enough about how much this has helped me,” he said. “This program taught me to stay calm in stressful situations and gave me confidence in my abilities.”

At Henry Schein, he gained experience managing HR processes and supported IT teams during a 2023 cyberattack.

Mullins said these experiences didn’t just shape his professional future, they built his personal confidence as well.

“I’ve taken on new challenges, like completing a triathlon,” Mullins said. “Without co-op, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to do that. Networking has opened doors I never expected.”

Third-year Business Administration student Harshpreet Kaur also found co-op to be a valuable opportunity to explore her field and strengthen her resume. In her role as an Accounting Assistant at Boathouse Canada, she worked with the accounts payable team to create reports and manage supplier payments.

“I wanted to have work experience before I graduated,” she said.

With support from Brock’s Co-op team, Kaur navigated her first work term with confidence, building the communication skills and professionalism needed for her future career.

For anyone on the fence about joining co-op, Mullins’ advice was encouraging.

“Do it,” she said. “New experiences are never a bad thing, and you never know who you’ll meet.”