Dalhousie’s leadership in work-integrated learning scaled new heights recently as the co-op and career services office for business students in the Faculty of Management reached 20,000 business work terms.
Management Career Services (MCS) announced the milestone to a record number of attendees at its annual signature networking event, Dal Business Networking Night presented by EY.
Dalhousie offers the largest volume of paid work terms compared to any other post-secondary institution in Atlantic Canada, with more than 2,800 work terms completed in 2023-24 across five faculties and one college.
The Faculty of Management alone offered 1,015 paid work terms during that period for Bachelor of Commerce Co-op, Bachelor of Management, and Corporate Residency MBA students, more than any other faculty.
“We are excited to celebrate our 20,000 business work terms milestone with students, alumni, employer partners, and the community,” said Robert Wooden, director of MCS. “In Atlantic Canada, no one knows work-integrated learning like Dalhousie’s Faculty of Management."
A cause for celebration
MCS will celebrate throughout the academic year with alumni profiles, events, and more. Students, employer partners, and community members are invited to follow along on the new 20,000 business work term campaign webpage.
“We could think of no better place to announce our celebratory campaign than Dal Business Networking Night,” said Wooden. “This event brings together hundreds of students and employer partners. They are the reason there has been 20,000 business work terms, and we wanted them to be the first to know the great news.”
Since being eligible, MCS’s business programs have held accreditation from Co-operative Education and Work Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada, representing the team’s priorities of increasing the volume of paid work terms while staying focused on quality work-integrated learning experiences.
“The Faculty of Management has a focus on work-integrated learning and giving our students the best opportunities for relevant work experiences before graduation,” said Dr. Mike Smit, dean of the Faculty of Management. “Thank you to our employer partners for hiring and supporting our students since 1991, without you we wouldn’t have reached this milestone.”
Networking’s critical role in career development
More than 540 business students and employer partners attended this year’s event. Networking events offer a chance for students to build professional connections, an important aspect of career exploration for student in work-integrated learning programs.
Second-year Commerce Co-op student Liam Walsh described his experience at the event as “phenomenal.”
“I decided to attend the event so that I could connect with local business employers and gain insightful knowledge on many industries and career paths,” he said. “The event expanded my network and gave me insights into the essential qualities employers are searching for.”
Many first-year students attend the event each year, looking to get a head start in building their professional networking and pursuing their career goals.
“As a first year, I was totally frightened to be in a room full of potential employers, but my goal was to put myself out of my comfort zone and I have to say I loved talking to everyone in that room,” said Commerce Co-op student Samuel Singh. “I knew nobody was just going to offer me a job at my first networking event, so I took the opportunity to gather as much information as possible about the careers I want to pursue.”
Employer perspectives
The event also provided an opportunity for students currently completing their work term to network with their student peers, providing advice from an employer perspective. One of those students was Emily Lane, a fourth-year Management student currently working for TEAM Work Cooperative for her eight-month internship.
“I had a great time networking with some of my fellow students,” said Emily. “It was a very special opportunity for me, to be a student there while also on my work term. By still being a student myself, I could easily empathize with the other students and answer their questions.
Emily said she enjoyed seeing younger Bachelor of Management students’ faces light up when she told them she was there as part of her internship.
“It made me feel proud. I was very glad I made my decision to be a part of the internship program.”
Back for more
Second-year Commerce Co-op student Riley Marcotte returned to the event this year looking for another chance to build connections.
“I decided to attend to talk about the co-op opportunities each company offers to students, and this event was not only helpful, but also a fun opportunity to interact with other students in the same boat," said Riley.
Tajrian Tarannum, another second-year Commerce Co-op student and international student, was excited by the opportunity to learn more about work opportunities and the Canadian workforce in general.
“The opportunity to learn about potential career paths and insights was both valuable and inspiring. Overall, the event provided a welcoming atmosphere for networking, and I left with meaningful connections that will help guide my future career in finance.”
Dal Business Networking Night is often attended by many Dal alumni looking to meet the next generation of student talent.
“Being part of the Dal Business Networking Night as a recent graduate was a fulfilling experience,” said David Kerr, business development coordinator at Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub, who graduated from the Corporate Residency MBA program in 2023. “It allowed me to connect with curious and motivated students while also reconnecting with the MCS team that played a key role in my career development.”
“This event is an excellent way for students to meet potential employers and explore different sectors,” added Kerr. “Having benefited from it during my studies, I was excited to now support and guide students as they look toward their work term.”