International student from Mount Saint Vincent University develops professional network through co-op program.
I'm a Public Relations student from the Philippines studying at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. My work-integrated learning story started in my 1st co-op program in the summer of 2019. With no prior work experience, going through the co-op program has allowed me to successfully build skills and knowledge related to my field of study. Further, the co-op program has allowed me to successfully start building a professional network from the ground up. I am currently completing the last of my co-op work terms at En Point (https://youenpoint.com/) here in Halifax. As a young professional, it is a success in and of itself to have work in the middle of a pandemic. Despite the unusual circumstances that we face, I am still able to get the most out of the WIL experience. I'm learning more about social media and marketing through workshops, which I am currently using to build strategic thinking skills as I help create a marketing strategy and plan for a start-up that is growing. In all, my work-integrated learning experience has given me the confidence, the skills, and network to set myself up for career success here in Canada.