Ontario Tech students reflect on benefits of work-integrated learning opportunities

“One of the most rewarding experiences was integrating old legacy systems with new modern Ethernet systems, which enhanced my ability to bridge the gap between traditional and cutting-edge technologies. Beyond the hands-on learning, placements serve as an excellent platform to build relationships and potentially secure job opportunities.”
- George Mikhaiel, fourth-year Mechatronics Engineering student, who completed two co-op placements (Regional Municipality of York [in transit systems management], and Clearwater Pipe Triage Inc. in Ajax [robotics maintenance technician / crawler integrator, working on large-diameter water pipes]

“My team at Toyota treated me as a part of the team and as a fellow employee who was completely capable of doing exactly what they themselves were doing. As the only female on the development engineering team, they ensured that I understood that I could accomplish just as much as my male colleagues. They never doubted my capabilities.”
- Aisha Sarwar , fourth-year Mechanical Engineering student whose internship with Toyota Canada Inc. focused on product development and design engineering

“My proudest moments were seeing my suppliers’ parts going on to a car during our prototype builds. Seeing the full project assembled and evaluating how your part fits into the whole system is a great learning and very fulfilling experience. My experience far exceeded my expectations; the amount of technical knowledge I have gained by working with these companies, and learning about their assembly and quality control processes is something I will cherish for the rest of my career.”
- Fergal Tirandazi, Mechatronics Engineering, Class of 2023, who completed a co-op internship at Honda Canada (parts quality / new model supplier representative); and now pursuing a Master of Applied Science degree in Mechanical Engineering at Ontario Tech (part-time), while also working at Bombardier Inc.

“Right from the start of my internship, I was entrusted with leading small-scale expense and investment projects, which is very uncommon for most junior engineering opportunities. My proudest moment at Honda was being able to see an installation that I designed myself eventually become reality before my own eyes. Being able to start a project from scratch and see it actually help improve the conditions of the production line is an incredibly satisfying feeling.”
- Nicholas Varas, Mechatronics Engineering, Class of 2023, and Honda Canada Intern who is now pursuing a Master of Applied Science degree in Mechanical Engineering at Ontario Tech (part-time)

“My proudest moment was presenting my power bi-application for the plant’s overhead doors in front of the Darlington plant manager in their executive meeting. The application gives an up-to-date status on the doors and provides an interactive map of the entire plant layout for planning management. The biggest reason to pursue a co-op is to understand the daily tasks and duties you would perform after graduation, and learn whether you would enjoy working in the profession you're studying in.”
- Ghufran Shahid, fourth-year Mechanical Engineering student, who completed an internship at Ontario Power Generation

“The experience I gained during my experiential learning opportunities directly translated into my success on- and off-campus. Having an opportunity to grow your resume with real-world experience during your studies sets students at Ontario Tech apart from the crowd. Having this experiential learning as a mandatory part of your studies helps students break out of their comfort zone and gain invaluable experience, giving them a leg up when entering the workforce.”
- John McBride, fourth year Bachelor of Commerce student, who completed two internships in sales development for Toronto-based holographic technology company ARHT Media Inc. (and continued working with his internship employer on a part-time basis throughout the school year). Upon graduation McBride will join Lenovo full-time as an Accelerated Sales Rotational Program Associate.

“I am completing my practicum placement at Revitaled Reintegration Services; a non-profit organization which provide services for individuals who have faced hardship with the criminal justice system. I was provided the opportunity to work with at-risk self-identified Black youth between the age 12 to 17, to create comic books to help navigate and conceptualize their experiences surrounding racism and trauma. The creation of ‘Your Story Matters’ comic book allowed for racialized youth to understand the power storytelling to facilitate healing and understanding their day-to-day realities.”
- Shevani Patel, fourth-year Criminology and Justice student, pursing a minor in Human Rights Law

“Through co-op, I've honed interpersonal skills that textbooks couldn’t teach, enriching my understanding of collaborative environments. Stepping out of the academic realm into a career may seem daunting, but co-op experiences provide a safety net for growth. Experiential learning serves as a gateway to the professional world. It’s not just about finding your place; it’s about understanding how you fit into the broader landscape of your chosen field.”
-Kiri Higgins , fourth-year Physics student, pursuing a specialization in Nanotechnology and Clean energy, and a minor in Mathematics. Currently completing a co-op with Candu Energy Inc. (an AtkinsRéalis company)