“Going on co-op allows you to find an identity outside of being a student and going to class. It not only enhances your technical skills, but your ability to make connections with others at different stages of life. It’s a glimpse of what post-grad life could be like, and a great way to explore different industries before full-time opportunities. “

Hi there! I’m Fabiola (she/her), and I’m going into my final year of Chemical Engineering. I was born in Mexico, raised in the Middle East, and have come to Canada for my studies.

I’m really passionate about  making connections with others, creating a sense of community, and advocating for student resources throughout our university journey. It’s why I’m very excited to be one of the two Lead Co-op ambassadors for this year! We hope to continue to expand the accessibility of the ECCS services to the Mac Eng community and help students kick-start their career with co-op experiences. Here’s to a great year!

“I’ve learned that Co-op fosters both professional and personal growth while also helping us explore fields we are passionate about! I’m excited to part of this amazing team and help motivate others to share their Co-op experiences and network with their peers.”

Hello! My name is Sarah (she/her) and I’m ecstatic and honoured to be one of the Lead Co-op Ambassadors for ECCS this year!

Throughout my experiences at McMaster Engineering, I’ve been fortunate to be supported by uplifting, forward-thinking, and compassionate teams – one specifically being the Engineering Co-op and Career Services group. Whether that’s Co-op events, interview practice, career knowledge, or sharing opportunities – this community is what makes me so proud to be a part of McMaster Engineering.

I decided to join ECCS for these reasons, but also because I’m passionate about supporting others through their journey from Co-op searching through to reflection and sharing experiences with others. My previous Co-ops with the University of Guelph (Research Technician, 2018), Latulippe Research Group (Research Assistant, Chemical Engineering, 2019-2021), and Septodont Pharmaceuticals (Supply Chain Intern, 2022) have fostered both professional and personal development. They have taught me to never hesitate when expressing interest in something you’re passionate about, ask for support if you need it, and that unique skills will develop when you least expect it. Looking forward to an exciting year back in-person full of new opportunities, connections, and collaborative learning!

“I love co-op because it teaches you what school can’t! You also get to meet great people with similar interest to you, who will hopefully help build your career.”

My name is Ainslie, I am currently in Biotechnology. I’ve done 2 different co-op to date, totalling 24 months! I like hiking, cooking and tasting coo things.

“Co-op is an incredible opportunity to enter the real world while still enjoying the supportive environment of being a student.  You get to experience different fields of work, make mistakes, and complete meaningful work, all while learning about your field of study.  There isn’t any better way to prepare yourself for life after school!”

Hello! My name is Michael Nelson (He/Him) and I’m a second-year student studying civil engineering. I am delighted to be on the Co-Op Ambassador team with the Engineering Co-Op and Career Services department this year!

I joined the co-op ambassador team because I wanted to help more students get better access to the benefits a co-op job can provide. It can be difficult to transition from being a student to a job application, which is why we’re available to provide a myriad of services to help make achieving career goals a reality. During the summer of 2022, I spent four months on a co-op with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. During my time there I learnt a great deal about how our provincial highway system functions and how critical effective communication skills are in a professional workplace. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone, so feel free to ask me any questions about civil engineering or my co-op experiences!

“Co-op is an amazing experience and everyone should have the opportunity to get out of their comfort zone and try something new. It is a great way to apply knowledge learned in class to gain technical skills. There are so many pathways a co-op can fit into from industry to research, which gives you the opportunity to explore different work environments and potential careers.”

Hi I’m Hannah and I am excited to be one of the Co-op Ambassadors for Engineering Co-op and Career Services this year! I just finished my first work term over the summer with Groundbreaking Foundations, a civil based company.

My co-op taught me the importance of dedication, communication and detail-oriented work.  I am looking forward to connecting with anyone who may need any assistance in finding resources to get a co-op position. Feel free to reach out anytime through email (gillgrah@mcmaster.ca) and I’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have about the co-op process.

“Co-op allows for gaining real-world work experience, valuable connections and opportunities to apply your learning while completing the requirements of your degree. The co-op program at McMaster allows you to combine traditional learning with workplace experience. The most important thing about co-op is to discover your interests and get a glimpse of what your future could look like.”

Hello! My name is Rafay Talpur, and I am excited to be part of the 2022/2023 Co-op Ambassador team representing the Computer Engineering Program.

“Co-op is a wonderful opportunity that allows you to apply your skills and education in real-world situations.  You get a sense of what your field actually entails.”

Hello, I am Elizabeth Keane, and I am excited to be a Co-op Ambassador for ECCS again this year!

I am looking forward to being able to help students on their journey to securing a co-op position this year. I believe that co-op is a very valuable experience, and ECCS has plenty of services available to help students. My co-op experiences were research assistant positions with professors on campus – Dr. Hoare (Summer 2020 and 2021) and Dr. Selvaganapathy (Summer 2019). Both of these positions I was able to get with the help of the ECCS services and previous co-op ambassadors. One of the most important lessons I have learned through co-op is the importance of using the resources available to you, whether that is through ECCS, personal connections, or just asking questions. I look forward to working as Co-op Ambassador this year!

“Co-op is an eye-opening experience because it finally allows you to apply whatever you learned in University to an industry-based setting, all the while learning new skills that you cannot learn at University. It also allows you to grow as a person while you harbor new responsibilities.”

Hello! My name is Jatheeshan Raveenthiran and I am excited to be a Co-op Ambassador for the iBiomed program.

I decided to join the ambassador team because I found co-op as an amazing experience that allowed me to gain valuable skills, and I want other students to experience the same. I also wanted to give tips for students applying to a co-op position and point them to the excellent ECCS services that are offered to ensure a seamless application process. I had the opportunity to complete my first co-op experience as an Undergraduate Student Research Assistant under the supervision of Dr. Christopher Anand. Recently, I finished a year-long co-op at AMD as a System-on-Chip Design Verification Engineer. From both of my co-op experiences, one valuable lesson I learned was to never be afraid to ask questions because that’s the only way you could push yourself forward. Feel free to raise questions anywhere and anytime! I look forward to connecting with you this year and share my co-op story!

“Students who went through internships or co-ops were fully transformed. After completing the work terms, these students know what to look for as well as know what to improve. You will have a fulfilling and meaningful undergraduate life by completing the co-op terms.”

My name is Brian Ren. I study heat-resistant materials at McMaster. I have completed 20 months internship before I finish my undergraduate study. I was unconfident and insecure because I made a lot of mistakes during my internships. However, I also learn & grow the most by reflecting on my mistakes.

Right now, I am a graduate student at McMaster material engineering and science. I am thankful by completing internships during my undergraduate.

“McMaster was my top choice because of its excellence in research. If you want to break into the career space of your dreams or test whether or not a particular career path is right for you, McMaster co-op is the place to be. The McMaster co-op experience will expand your opportunities and develop your skills, all while supporting you financially.”

Hello, my name is Sarah Simionescu. I first discovered my love for computer science when I attended a science fair, and I met other kids, like myself, interested in changing the world with their skills in STEM. Since then, I have grown my passions for computer science and entrepreneurship through clubs, volunteering and running my own business!

Through the McMaster Co-op program, I have had the incredible opportunity to be a Technical Writer and Privacy Analyst as part of Professor Wenbo He’s research team working on privacy-preserving machine learning. As a first-year student, I was over the moon yet very overwhelmed to be working on such a complex topic. By the end of my term, I had co-written and submitted a new academic paper, pushing the boundaries in a subject I knew absolutely nothing about four months prior. As a co-op leader, I strive to support and inspire students to pursue experiences that enrich their passions and careers despite their fears and anxieties. If you have any questions or are feeling overwhelmed, do not hesitate to reach out! I am only an email away!

“Getting a co-op experience early on not only gives you a chance to test the waters and see if it is your cup of tea, but you also get to work on impactful projects with diverse teams.” 

Hi everyone! My name is Abdul Rehman Iqbal, and I am delighted to be one of the Engineering Co-op and Career Services Co-op Ambassador for this academic year!

I am a Final year Mechatronics Engineering student at McMaster University, graduating in April 2023, with a keen interest in Software Development and Product Management. I have over 20 months of co-op experience working in Research and Development at Ericsson Canada and Product Engineering at an EdTech company called Paper.

I am always looking for excellent opportunities and talented peers to work with. Feel free to reach out for any inquiries!

“Co-op is the best way for you to choose a career path you truly enjoy working in. By taking co-op, we learn new skills through numerous roles at various companies, and this is the only way we can discover what we genuinely enjoy. It enables us to work and transition into so many different industries and develop strong connections.”

Hello everyone! I’m in my 2nd year of Automation Engineering at McMaster, and being an Engineering Co-op Ambassador for the Engineering Co-op and Career Services this year is nothing more than exciting. I’ve been a part of numerous clubs here at Mac and thrilled to be a part of the ECCS now, to help students grow & progress. Feel free to reach out at anytime with your questions! I’m always happy to share my experiences and provide some useful insight.

“I believe that every engineering student should have a co-op experience at least once during their student life. Not only do you get a chance to showcase your technical skills in the real world, but you also get to network with amazing people in your industry while developing other skills that will play a significant role in your career development!”

Hello, my name is Sharjil Mohsin and I’m excited to be one of the Co-op Ambassadors for Engineering Co-op and Career Services this year! I’m currently in my fifth and final year of the Software Engineering and Management program here at McMaster University.

I’ve had previous co-op experience with IBM as a Software Engineer Intern for 8 months, and with RBC as a Software Developer Intern for 4 months. I joined the Co-op Ambassador team this year as I’m really passionate about sharing my experiences from my co-op term with others. Feel free to reach out to me anytime if you have any questions!