Co-op - uLethbridge Stories

Work-Integrated Learning comes Full Circle

“Co-op offers that real-world experience you might not get from a university class. It gives students insight into how what they’re learning might apply to the real world,” he says. After graduation, Dr. Harland Brandon (BSc Co-op ‘13, PhD ‘21) helped build not one but two companies.

Rosie Costen Shines by Keeping an Open Mind and Letting Opportunity Flow In

"You’re going to be a very different person when you leave university. You have to give yourself room to grow and learn about yourself, as cliché as that sounds." From her first moment at the U of L, neuroscience student Rosie Costen immersed herself in every experience she could.

Kyle Cole (BA Co-op '19) Turns Co-op Into a Career

Kyle Cole (BA Co-op '19) graduated from uLethbridge with a Bachelor of Arts in economics, with six semesters of co-op experience. He now works as the Program Co-op Advisor for the Faculty of Arts & Science at uCalgary.

Shining graduate - Nelson Eze (BSc '21)

Nelson Eze (BSc '21) graduates this spring with his Bachelor of Science majoring in Geography. His co-op experience working as a field research technician for Ag-Quest gave Nelson insight into applying scientific principles to practical world issues.

Shining graduate - Kristine Villaluna (BSc Co-op '21)

Kristine Vallaluna (BSc Co-op '21) will receive her Bachelor of Science degree in applied statistics, with a concentration in economics and a minor in computer science this spring. She will begin her next chapter at the U of T for the Master of Science graduate program starting this fall.

Shining graduate - Austin Kelly (BMgt '16, BSc Co-op '21)

Austin Kelly (BMgt ’16, BSc Co-op ’21) graduates this spring with a Bachelor of Science majoring in computer science and three co-op work terms at Waterton Lakes National Park through Parks Canada.

Shining graduate - Brendon DeGroot (BSc Co-op '21)

Brendon DeGroot (BSc Co-op '21) will graduate with his Bachelor of Science majoring in biological sciences and psychology this spring. Brendon's most memorable experiences came from his co-op work terms.

5 questions with Dhillon School of Business shining graduate Bill Nkeih (BMgt '21)

Dhillon School of Business graduate Bill Nkeih (BMgt '21) talks about his co-op work experience with McCain Foods and the most important lessons he learned as a student.

5 questions with Dhillon School of Business shining graduate Kasha North (BMgt '21)

Dhillon School of Business Human Resources and Labour Relations major Kasha North (BMgt '21) talks about her rewarding co-op experience amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and advice she'd give to incoming students.

5 questions with Dhillon School of Business shining graduate Joshua Olea (BMgt '21)

Dhillon School of Business graduate Joshua Olea (BMgt '21) talks about his experience as a finance major at the Calgary campus including how co-op gave him confidence and the influence a professor can have.

Mikey Lewis (BA '20) Encourages Students to Work Together to Make a Difference

Mikey Lewis (BA '20) graduated this past spring with a double major in anthropology and religious studies along with an honours thesis. Reflecting on their journey, Mikey has always gone above and beyond in civic engagement and volunteerism alongside academics.

Emily Demyen (BA '18) Uses her uLethbridge Experience to Create Belonging for Others

Emily Demyen (BA '18) is a diligent and persistent worker. Finding moments of mindfulness throughout the day is essential to her and a skill she honed throughout her eight-month co-op work term, applied and independent studies at the U of L, before beginning her professional career.

Cassady Campos Catches a Glimpse Behind the Scenes of the Software Development Cycle During his Co-op Work Terms

Cassady completed two co-op work terms in the summers of his second and third year, working as a software developer for the Calgary-based tech company Arcurve. What he didn’t expect was the chance to participate in meaningful volunteer work as a part of his co-op involvement.

Imogen Pohl Reflects on her Six-year Journey at the University of Lethbridge: Even Superheroes Take a Day Off Now and Then

Sixth-year student Imogen Pohl is close to completing her degree at the University of Lethbridge. A traditional four-year undergraduate degree was not in the cards for her. Instead, she set out to get the absolute most out of her uLethbridge experience as a double major co-op student.

Co-op Student Matthew Alexander Shares why Grit and Interpersonal Skills are Essential to Career-Building

As a fifth-year agricultural studies student, Matthew Alexander continues to explore opportunities outside of the classroom. He swam on the Pronghorn’s Swim team for four years and explored work-integrated learning through co-op.

The Global Citizenship Cohort and Co-op Opportunities Inspired Antoine Gendron to Create Environmental Change

After his final project in the GCC, Antoine was invited to sit as a board member on the Oldman Watershed Council from June 2017 until June 2019. He founded the Earth Day Symposium, an event that continues four years later, as well as having completed a sixteen-month co-op at Agri-Food Canada.

Co-op gave Skylar Nikkel a solid foundation for the future

Skylar Nikkel (Sky) is a fifth-year applied statistics student with a minor in computer science and a geography concentration. Combining her enthusiasm for research and keenness for a challenge, Sky has completed three agriculture and research-related co-op work terms.

Derek Melchin Lands Dream Job Through Diverse Co-op Experiences, from Working at the CKXU to Managing a Public In-House Trading Fund

Derek Melchin is a third-year combined degree student studying computer science and finance. As an opportunity seeker and innovator, Derek has completed three diverse co-op work-terms.

Co-op Experience Helps Cheyenne Clow Bring History to Life

Cheyenne Clow is a third-year history major with a minor in liberal education. For Cheyenne, one of her most impactful experiences at the University of Lethbridge has been her two co-op work terms.

Alex Knox combines her passion for the outdoors and marketing to a co-op placement with Parks Canada

Alex combined her love of the outdoors and interest in marketing with a 12-month co-op placement marketing the Hot Springs. "I got to live and work in Banff for the Hot Springs."

A dual degree in business and health sciences poised Isabella Sasges for a career in occupational health and safety

"The opportunity to manage school outside of work – to be able to work and also have that classroom setting for school in the evenings – helped keep me focused on my goals."

A second degree opened up a new career pathway for Colin Brown

What drew Colin to the Calgary Campus was the flexibility of night classes and the ability to work full time while completing his studies. “The second-degree program was really attractive as I was able to skip over all the electives I had already completed in my first degree."

Night classes let Affan Shahid continue to earn while he finished a Bachelor of Management degree

"It's been really helpful that courses are in the evenings or weekends, as it's allowed me to keep working full time," Affan said when asked why he chose the Calgary Campus.

Five questions with alumna Jamie Lewis (BA (Co-op) '20)

Jamie Lewis, a BA graduate with a double major in anthropology and religious studies, is this year's recipient of the Faculty of Arts & Science Gold Medal (Arts).

Five questions with Shining Graduate Kyle Cole BA (Co-op) '20

Kyle Cole, BA (Co-op) '20 has some pretty straightforward advice for incoming students. Be the best you can be and make the most of your degree!