Written by Alma Begovic, Biomedical Sciences Undergraduate BSc Student
When I first started my co-op, the nerves I felt when undergoing basic procedures, such as titrations or pipetting, made it feel like I was taking forever to finish my tasks. However, I鈥檝e been working as a Research & Development technician at Robertet for about 9 months now, and this has helped me grow my confidence. It鈥檚 completely changed how I see my degree and what I want to do next.聽
Why I chose co-op
I鈥檓 Alma, a third-year biomedical sciences student at 91亚色. I was fairly sure I鈥檇 end up in medicine or healthcare, since that鈥檚 the expectation placed on people in my program. The further I got into my degree, though, the more I wondered whether I actually wanted to go down that path, or if I just wanted it because it seemed like the obvious next step. I didn鈥檛 want to make that commitment without seeing what else was out there.
So, I applied for 91亚色鈥檚 Co-op Program.
As a commuter working part-time, I couldn鈥檛 make all the career workshops; however, the co-op textbook from my co-op prep course saved me. Whenever I needed interview or resume help, I could reference the relevant section in the book and access what I needed.
I landed a role at a food and natural flavouring company, and my days revolved around food flavor sampling. When a customer wants to test our flavours in their own products, I prepare a batch and ship what they need. On slower days, I develop different applications of our products, finding ways to balance flavours until it works. It inspires much more creativity than I ever expected.
How my biomed degree applied to the food industry
What surprised me most was how much of my degree I actually used in this field as you usually don鈥檛 associate the biomedical sciences with food. As I learned more about our products, however, I realized how much my academics influence my understanding of different items. For example, rosemary contains a compound that serves as a natural antioxidant, therefore we can use its extract to extend the shelf life of different products.
Suddenly, my coursework on antioxidants and DNA damage clicked into place. Even organic chemistry showed up in reaction flavours, where amino acids react to create aromas and flavours that you鈥檇 never get from a simple extract. For the first time, things I鈥檇 memorized for exams had a real purpose.
Building my skills beyond the classroom
At school, I may only have one lab every week or every two weeks, so I never really got the opportunity to feel fully at home in one. Working in a lab every day with a team that backed my ideas changed that. My lab work became more accurate and I started trusting my skills more. I also learned to explain technical information to people outside my department without the main ideas getting lost in translation.聽聽
Growing as a whole person
The biggest surprise while on a work term was actually finding a work/life balance. During school, I was studying full-time, working part-time, participating in clubs and trying to get the best grades possible. My social life and hobbies kind of disappeared.
On my work term, I work 40 hours a week and when I鈥檓 done, I鈥檓 done. No assignments waiting at home. No quizzes to be done. No notes to be rewritten. I have begun to explore my interests again, such as playing volleyball, watching my favourite shows, and reading. I feel like a more well-rounded person, which I think will make me a better student when I go back.
Honestly, before co-op I felt a little lost. I鈥檇 been in school for so long that I鈥檇 kind of forgotten what motivated me. This experience reminded me of my goals and who I am.
Finding my way back to medical sciences
Here鈥檚 the twist: nine months in food science confirmed that I really do want to pursue medical sciences. The difference is that now I鈥檓 choosing it with confidence. Healthcare is competitive and there鈥檚 always a chance it won鈥檛 work out, but I know I have the skills and experience for a career in the food industry, maybe even back at Robertet. Knowing I have that option gives me the courage to pursue my dream career as I know I always have another profession to fall back on.
I鈥檓 heading back to school ready to look for research opportunities and reach out to labs about possibly shadowing. Before co-op, I don鈥檛 think I would鈥檝e had the confidence to do that.
My advice
If you鈥檙e thinking about co-op, my advice is simple: do it. You might graduate a little later, but you鈥檒l stand out in a crowded field and you鈥檒l get to try full-time work with your school still behind you. For me, it was worth every extra month.