Work placements turn into real jobs

For several Brandon University graduates, crossing the stage at convocation last week was not the beginning of their careers — it was simply the next milestone in journeys that had already begun.

Through Brandon University’s co-operative education program, some students secured valuable work experience, built professional networks and, in some cases, landed full-time employment before earning their degrees.

One of those graduates is Faith Akinbode, who completed a Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours) and now works full-time at the Brandon-based law firm Burch Law.

Akinbode first joined the firm through a three-month co-op placement and was retained after the placement ended. Today, she handles administrative and accounting-related responsibilities.

“The co-op actually did have an impact because I got the job through co-op,” she said. “It was more practical for me to work in the field instead of graduating and then looking for a job.”

Beyond helping her secure employment, Akinbode said the program expanded her professional network and exposed her to opportunities she may not otherwise have experienced.

She attended Brandon Chamber of Commerce events, met community leaders and business executives, and participated in sessions where industry professionals shared insights with students.

“It exposed me to a lot of things,” she said. “I was able to meet different organizers, CEOs and people in the community.”

Business Administration graduate Benjamin Slomiany also credits the co-op program with helping launch his career.

After completing a co-op placement with Alliance Accounting Group, Slomiany continued working with the company during the academic year while balancing his studies. He is now employed there full-time and plans to pursue his CPA designation.

“The co-op program was game-changing,” he said. “It opened so many doors.”

Slomiany believes the networking opportunities provided through co-op gave him a significant advantage.

“The network alone that comes from the co-op program is an edge up on anyone who missed out on it,” he said. “It taught me important networking skills and gave me technical experience in the workplace.”

For psychology graduate Kora Evans, the co-op experience helped shape her future career direction.

Evans, who earned a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), said working with children during co-op placements sparked her interest in education.

“It was honestly great,” she said. “I got a lot of experience, and that’s kind of how I developed my interest in teaching because I had a lot of co-op work terms with kids.”

This summer, Evans will work with Child and Family Services and the Elspeth Reid Family Resource Centre before beginning studies in Brandon University’s Faculty of Education in the fall.

Her goal is to become a teacher in Brandon.

Psychology graduate Madelyn Bootsman also found clarity through her co-op placement.

Bootsman completed a four-month work term with Huddle Brandon and said the experience confirmed her career ambitions.

“Co-op definitely helped me find out what I’m meant to do as a career,” she said. “It also helped me learn more about working in the field.”

After graduation, Bootsman plans to take a year off while pursuing admission to law school. Her long-term goal is to become an animal rights lawyer.

» aodutola@brandonsun.com

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