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Work integrated learning
Despite pandemic, Dal business students continue providing value for employers
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Despite a difficult labour market and the need for remote work in many industries, employers stepped up and Dalhousie Rowe School of Business students persevered over the past year, proving that not even a pandemic can stop work-integrated learning.
Hiring a co-op or internship student not only enriches the learning experience of the student, it gives you an opportunity to bring new talent onto your team. “Our team enjoys coaching and mentoring curious, driven Dal business students and giving them real-world work experience that helps prepare them for their future careers,” says Sheeba Kochhar, Human Resources Manager at Proposify. “Many of our co-op students have contributed positively to our culture and our goals. It’s like we get a sneak peek and first dibs on fresh new talent — a win-win for the company and students! Our Summer 2021 co-op student, Nigel Bannister, easily integrated into Proposify’s Customer Success team. He also contributed ideas for new initiatives and worked on them with the Sales team."
Some companies have deeply integrated Dalhousie business co-op and internship recruitment into their culture and practices, but if you’ve never hired a student before, it’s never too late to try. “We first learned about the Dalhousie Commerce Co-op program last year and hired one student, Sam Willner, for the Fall 2020 work term to check it out,” says Joe Allen, Executive Director of BNI Maritimes Inc. “We were so pleased with what he brought to our organization that we hired two students, Nick Lawlor and Maia St. John, for the Winter 2021 term! These students were at the end of their first year, still early in their university learning, yet they were already able to offer us real value. We were impressed by the initiative and enthusiasm they demonstrated. They helped us by bringing their technical skills to our projects and by researching and learning new software and techniques.”
Dalhousie’s Management Career Services (MCS) team supports diverse organizations to recruit Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Management, and Corporate Residency MBA students and graduates by assisting with the process of obtaining work-term funding, providing full-service recruitment support, and offering guidance and advice to achieve specific recruitment goals.
Seeing students thrive in creating the foundation for a successful career is what our work-integrated learning programs are all about. “Work-integrated learning is mandatory in the Commerce Co-op and Corporate Residency MBA programs. I believe it is the primary reason that many students choose to study with us and the reason many diverse employers recruit our talented students,” says Robert Wooden, Director of MCS.
— Sheeba Kochhar,Human Resources Manager, Proposify
Contributed
For the 2020-21 academic year:
• 100% of 218 Commerce Co-op students secured co-op positions for Fall 2020 • 98.4% of 330 Commerce Co-op students (the largest cohort in the history of the program, all seeking their first co-op experience) secured co-op positions for Winter 2021 • 100% of 236 Commerce Co-op students secured co-op positions for Summer 2021 • 100% of 12 Management
Internship students secured 8-month work terms • 100% of 43 Corporate
Residency MBA students secured 8-month work terms
To learn how your company can tap into Dalhousie’s business student talent pool, contact mcs@dal.ca or visit dal.ca/mcs.
Looking for new results?
Try a new mindset
FLORIA AGHDAMIMEHR
FOUNDER & CEO, RECOGNIZE YOUR POTENTIAL
The current circumstances of COVID19 call for a new way of doing things. Mental health and wealth are vital to thriving during pandemic. Of course, there are local and global economic implications. How will you react or plan to move forward? Remember, most people don’t make sound decisions in a state of FEAR and we can all think of many examples. Allow Mindfulness to boost your mental health/ wealth to give you a Present!
Small business owners comprise over 90% of Canadian economy. Successful entrepreneurs and organizations recognize the urgency to invest in their biggest asset, themselves, and their team, for highest ROI!
Soft skills are no longer nice to have; they NOW are the key to our wellbeing and economy. Our ability to adapt is the surest way to not only survive this pandemic but thrive well into the future.
NEW MINDSET = NEW RESULTS
Prior to pandemic, the Canadian Mental Health Association: • Estimated economic burden of mental illness $51 billion per year. • Cost of a disability leave for mental illness 2x the cost of leave due to physical illness. • Evidence demonstrates promotion, prevention & early intervention show positive ROI.
Although, we do not have current statistics, health professionals unequivocally agree mental health to be our biggest challenge for next 2-5 years. Mental health does not discriminate against employees, entrepreneurs, or CEOs. This is vital when navigating ahead during uncertain times. Work life integration has never been more crucial to our wellbeing and economy!!
BDC’s May 2021 study of entrepreneurs confirms slight improvement over November of 2020, but recommends diversification of coping mechanisms. Small business owners are faced with a tough task of not only maintaining their own resiliency but also building capacity, empowering and inspiring their team who look to them for direction on how to work in new environment. It is time to respond to the challenges of today while looking to the horizon.
“The first half of our life, we spend our health to create wealth.
The second half of our life, we spend our wealth to regain our health. This is not always possible!”
Numerous uncertainties, working from home, parenting, home schooling, lack of childcare, elderly care, inability to see loved ones, being home alone, hourly COVID updates, have been taxing. Previous learned coping mechanisms and support systems are no longer available. New professional and personal challenges are presented exponentially and life as we knew has changed with great uncertainties moving forward!
THRIVING THROUGH CHANGE
Same old, same old no longer works, time for New Mindset for New Results. Last 18 months have proven Mindset is cornerstone of resiliency. Scientists agree Growth Mindset and Mindfulness improve physical, emotional, and mental health. Resilient individuals manage their stress well, integrating work & life for success, engagement, mental wealth, productivity, and innovation. Mindset is the Key to Adaptability and the surest way to thrive into growth!
REACTING VS CREATING
Tips to implement at work or home: • Focus on communicating to build bridges of understanding • Maintain an ‘open’ door even virtually • Walking meetings • Monitor low morale • Develop set of agreed team behaviours and code of conduct • Team building activities during virtual meetings • Mindset of Inclusion • Daily Meditation • Invest in self-awareness • Watch your thoughts & beliefs • Walk mindfully • Let go of old habits that no longer serve you • Start habits to support your goals • Spend time in nature
We are all exposed to cycles and evolutions throughout life. Those with ability to integrate these energies as opportunities to learn, adjust, grow, and define their purpose, rise above. They in some way, accept negative events as pathways to re-evaluate our plot and plight in life: draw direction, meaning, purpose and even inspiration from it.
Examine your responses to events and experiences. Fill your world with positive. Our perception is our reality. Entrepreneurs, small business owners, managers, and CEOs need to show leadership and demonstrate a positive perception. POSITIVITY is the best bug to spread and catch!!
Floria, is the founder and CEO of Recognize Your Potential. She has happily devoted well over three decades in studying, researching, and simplifying Growth Mindset, Mindfulness, Neuroscience, and Positive Mindset to implement at work and life. Information is plentiful, however, turning that information into behaviour needs new way of thinking for Transformation!!
