Thakur is the founding engineer and chief technology officer (CTO) of Tally Rewards, a platform that helps small and medium-sized businesses create customer loyalty programs. The platform allows customers to automatically earn rewards through linked payment cards, while providing businesses with data on customer visits, spending and engagement.

Building a company is demanding in its own right, but while helping lead the company's product development and technical strategy, he is also completing a software engineering degree at 91亚色.

Balancing those responsibilities hasn鈥檛 always been easy.

"There have been periods where assignments, exams, product deadlines and company responsibilities have all happened at the same time," he says.

The challenge has grown alongside the company, as his role has expanded beyond engineering to include leadership, team development and long-term planning.

For Thakur, balancing a startup while completing an engineering degree has become an education in itself.

"It has forced me to become much more intentional with how I manage my time and prioritize what actually needs my attention,鈥� he says.

The opportunity to gain that kind of hands-on learning while studying was one of the reasons he chose 91亚色.

"91亚色 stood out to me not only because of the engineering program, but also because of the entrepreneurial support and pathways available to students," he says.

Thakur says the overlap between classroom learning and real-world experience has accelerated his growth. Concepts introduced through his coursework, including software design, testing and large-scale software development, often influence how he approaches challenges at Tally Rewards.

Classroom learning was only part of the experience. 91亚色鈥檚 entrepreneurship programs have also shaped his approach to building a business. In addition to his software engineering coursework, Thakur has pursued opportunities through Lassonde's BEST (Bergeron Entrepreneurs in Science and Technology) program and entrepreneurship courses available through .

Designed to help students develop the skills and understanding needed to launch a startup, these learning opportunities encouraged him to think beyond technology and focus on understanding users, validating ideas and building sustainable businesses.

As a result, Thakur has gained new insights into his role as CTO at Tally Rewards.

"Being a CTO isn't only about being a strong engineer. It's also about helping a team make good decisions and ensuring that what we build actually supports the direction of the business,鈥� he says. 鈥淪ome of the most important work happens before you write any code.鈥�

The combination of technical and venture creation education has been one of the most valuable aspects of Thakur's 91亚色 experience.

"My engineering courses at Lassonde have given me the technical foundation to build reliable systems, while the entrepreneurship experiences have helped me understand why those systems should be built and who they should be built for," he says.

Looking ahead, Thakur hopes to continue growing as both an engineer and entrepreneur while completing his degree.

"University is actually a unique environment to experiment because you're surrounded by people who are learning, building and willing to help," he says.

Despite the challenges of juggling both, Thakur believes students interested in entrepreneurship should take advantage of the opportunities available at 91亚色 and not wait until they feel fully prepared before pursuing an idea.

"A lot of students assume they need to have the perfect idea, a complete skill set or a detailed plan before they can build something," he says. "In reality, a huge part of entrepreneurship is learning as you go."

Originally posted on yFile

芦 Back to Co-op & Career Centre

The post Student applies 91亚色 learning to growing their tech startup appeared first on Co-op & Career Centre.

The 91亚色 computer science student was one of 50 winners of Apple鈥檚 Swift Student Challenge. As part of the global coding competition鈥檚 prize, Worku was flown to Apple鈥檚 California headquarters, where he showed CEO Tim Cook how the app supports a variety of learning and academic planning functions, all completely offline.

鈥淗e said, 鈥業 wish I had this when I was growing up鈥�,鈥� says Worku, who is in his fourth year of studies at 91亚色鈥檚 .

Raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Worku recalls how inadequate classroom facilities and spotty internet service affected his learning. After moving to Scarborough with his family in 2017, he became more aware of the disparities in educational opportunities across different countries.

In the summer of 2023, Worku began a co-op placement with Lassonde鈥檚 kindergarten to industry (k2i) academy, which offers STEM programs to local youth. As a mentor in k2i鈥檚 Work-Integrated Learning program, Worku guided five high school students in developing an app to address the United Nations鈥� Sustainable Development Goal 4 on quality education.

Combining that experience with his education and previous co-op role developing iOS apps, he took the lead in advancing the work on SDG 4. As part of this mission, he volunteered as an instructor for Black Boys Code, a non-profit focused on closing the diversity gap in the technology sector.

鈥淚 want to give students everywhere an even playing field,鈥� he says.

Then, he came across a social media post about Apple鈥檚 coding challenge.

He spent the next six months building a prototype of AccessEd using AI and machine learning capabilities. He designed the app to review uploaded course materials and answer questions about the content. It can analyze photos of class notes to generate flash cards and suggest high school courses that match a student鈥檚 interests. It also features a task management system to track assignments and tests.

AccessEd aligns with the rise of offline e-learning apps focused on improving equity for learners in environments with limited infrastructure and unreliable internet service. Worku says Apple鈥檚 recognition of his app provided important validation for his idea, and he continues to refine the app, which is now publicly available on Apple鈥檚 App Store.

鈥淢any students don鈥檛 have access to high-quality educational tools,鈥� Worku says. 鈥淢aybe this app can help solve this problem and allow more students to succeed.鈥�

Originally posted in yFile

芦 Back to Co-op & Career Centre

The post Student-developed app supports learners, earns recognition from Apple appeared first on Co-op & Career Centre.

For 91亚色 student Sadia Tasnim, that moment came while completing her second co-op work term at Food Banks Mississauga as a data administrator. During a shift, Tasnim encountered a client asking for menstrual products. The food bank, however, didn鈥檛 have any available.

鈥淚 felt terrible that I could not help her in that moment,鈥� says Tasnim, an international student from Bangladesh who struggled with the idea of women who do not have access to essential products.

Tasnim knew her expertise in data science could help the organization respond to this need. Through her studies at the Faculty of Science, she has become adept at gathering, interpreting and presenting data 鈥� including using statistical methods, computational skills and data analysis techniques 鈥� and wants to apply that knowledge to create positive change.

鈥淎t 91亚色, I鈥檝e learned a variety of unconventional ways to extract and organize data,鈥� says Tasnim, a fourth-year student. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important to me to use this skill for a meaningful purpose.鈥�

During her Fall 2025 placement at Food Banks Mississauga, Tasnim worked on the agency relations team, helping to coordinate organizations that distribute food and essential items to roughly half a million visitors per year. When she was asked to analyze the organization鈥檚 historical data on female clients between the ages of 18 to 55 in response to the gap in feminine hygiene products available, she was thrilled.

She drafted a report of her findings, which was shared with Food Banks Canada 鈥� the parent organization that provides supplies to community sites. Tasnim says it was rewarding to see her data analysis shared with decision makers and help make a meaningful impact.

鈥淭hat is what pushed me to take on this project 鈥� making sure this need gets met,鈥� says Tasnim.

Addressing real-world challenges has long been a priority for Tasnim. As a teen, she co-founded her own environmental non-profit to plant trees in her home city of Dhaka, Bangladesh, to improve its air quality. She also volunteered for a social enterprise that delivers clean drinking water to underserved rural communities.

Thinking about her future, Tasnim is considering career roles in social finance 鈥� an investing approach that centres societal and environmental impact.

鈥淚 believe we have to use our talents for humanitarian causes,鈥� Tasnim says. 鈥淒ata can help drive smart decision-making in these important matters.鈥�

For Daisy Dang, a fourth-year environmental studies student, housing access is the issue that drives her commitment to work for change. She is completing a full-time paid co-op placement at the Toronto Region Real Estate Board (TRREB), a non-profit organization serving 70,000 realtors in the Greater Toronto Area.

In her role as a policy analyst in TRREB鈥檚 government relations unit, she contributed to the organization鈥檚 2026 Market Outlook and Year in Review event. As part of that work, she conducted extensive research on the efficacy of the current private and rental housing supply in the city. She also gathered data on trends and metrics related to housing affordability, residential zoning practices and homelessness.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a need for a greater variety of the right types of housing and more density,鈥� Dang says. 鈥淲e should be building more up than outwards and building more units with two and three bedrooms.鈥�

As a student at 91亚色鈥檚  in the Cities, Regions, Planning (CRP) program, Dang is well-positioned to understand and address Toronto鈥檚 diverse urban planning challenges. This interdisciplinary program teaches sustainable, inclusive practices to manage growth, adapt infrastructure, welcome newcomers and mitigate environmental impacts. She has critically examined urban planning through courses exploring sustainable design, regional governance, migration patterns and political ecology.

Dang is also applying her growing knowledge at TRREB in other ways. A core part of her job involves researching housing-related programs offered by the municipal, provincial and federal governments to include as resources on the organization鈥檚 website. Her research also helps shape TRREB鈥檚 advocacy responses in its interactions with government representatives.

Through her combined co-op and academic experiences, Dang has a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics driving urbanization in Toronto and is particularly interested in its impacts on residents who live at the margins of society.

After completing her degree in 2027, she hopes to support municipal government decision-making in addressing housing issues affecting the unhoused and low-income citizens.

鈥淚 think a city works when you put people first,鈥� Dang says.

Originally posted in yFile

芦 Back to Co-op & Career Centre

The post 91亚色 U students drive community change through real-world learning appeared first on Co-op & Career Centre.

This might sound like the stunt of a thrill seeker, but it was just another day at work for Sahai in his role as a ride engineering intern at Canada鈥檚 Wonderland in Vaughan.

For the  student, the unusual co-op work term offered an exciting way to apply and develop what he learned at 91亚色.

鈥淚n school, we learn about mechanical design, forces, safety factors and how systems behave on paper, but seeing those ideas come to life on a full-scale roller coaster like Leviathan made everything click,鈥� says Sahai, a fourth-year student at the .

During eight months as a paid co-op student working on the rides maintenance mechanical team, Sahai was responsible for upkeep of both the Leviathan and Vortex roller coasters as well as some smaller rides. His work involved checking the functionality of mechanical components such as bolts, panels, sensors and restraints, and making needed repairs. Sahai says a highlight was helping to redesign, fabricate and install safety components for the rides.

鈥淪eeing something I worked on being used on a major roller coaster was a huge moment for me,鈥� Sahai says. 鈥淚t made the whole experience feel real and showed me that even as a student, my work could have a meaningful impact.鈥�

The role helped him develop technical expertise and improve teamwork and administrative skills. Sahai says the experience translates well to in-class studies, where he is learning about designing, manufacturing and testing space equipment such as satellites, rovers and rockets.

More importantly, the co-op gave him confidence in his abilities.

鈥淲orking in the amusement ride industry showed me how much engineering goes into creating experiences that are both thrilling and completely safe,鈥� Sahai says. 鈥淚 hope to continue contributing ideas that make technology safer and more accessible for everyone.鈥�

Fatimah Mufti is also taking a creative approach to work-integrated learning experiences.

A student in the Bachelor of Arts in Law & Society program, Mufti plans to be a lawyer 鈥� a decision influenced by her long-time interest in true-crime documentaries. But, when it came time to choose co-op work terms, she saw wisdom in exploring options outside of the law.

鈥淚 determined that I鈥檓 going to do something that I completely don鈥檛 expect myself to be doing to get out of my comfort zone,鈥� says Mufti, a fourth-year student in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS).

Her first co-op in September of 2024 was an eight-month paid role as a research analyst at the Ministry of Infrastructure in the Ontario government, where she conducted risk assessments, technical research and data visualization for a variety of projects.

For her second work term that began last fall, Mufti pursued another position outside of the legal field and joined ventureLAB, a technology non-profit in Markham that helps hardware and software startups expand globally. The opportunity was supported by the Infuse Program, offered through LA&PS in collaboration with TECHNATION. The program provides funding for employers to hire co-op students from liberal arts disciples into tech-adjacent roles.

Working as a member of the external relations team, Mufti is involved in everything from presenting to business leaders on the organization鈥檚 services, to using Salesforce software to support customer engagement, to taking minutes at leadership meetings.

鈥淭his role helped me see myself as someone who can operate at the intersection of business and technology, which I never envisioned for myself,鈥� Mufti says. 鈥淚 am learning how to navigate fast-paced projects, analyze data and improve my public speaking skills. I鈥檓 also forming so many useful connections.鈥�

Mufti says it has been illuminating to observe the intensity of the work environment at ventureLAB, which operates six programs that help 100 ventures annually with raising capital, retaining talent, commercializing products and acquiring customers. She says colleagues value her contributions and encourage her to share her ideas.

鈥淢y professional identity has evolved from thinking of myself mainly as a student to seeing myself as a contributor who can support decision-making,鈥� Mufti says.

Mufti is preparing to apply to law school in Fall 2026 and hopes to study at . Her co-op experiences, she says, will serve her well on her career path.

鈥淚鈥檝e gained a lot of hands-on experience that has built my confidence and showed me the skills I need to succeed in a professional environment,鈥� she says.

Originally posted in yFile

芦 Back to Co-op & Career Centre

The post 91亚色 students find career inspiration through unexpected co-op paths appeared first on Co-op & Career Centre.

Through four paid work/study jobs and 16 months of paid co-op, the international student from India developed vital skills and useful contacts for his future career.

Narechania recalls arriving at 91亚色 feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement at the idea of entering university and the Canadian workforce. 91亚色's  鈥� paid, on-campus job opportunities for eligible undergraduates 鈥� offered him a way to build connections and skills and helped him prepare for work-integrated learning in future years of study.

Through the program, students gain work experience at one of 91亚色鈥檚 three campuses during full-time study, and can apply as early as first year. These opportunities offer a way to develop essential professional competencies with the support of a supervisor鈥檚 one-on-one coaching.

In his first year, Narechania worked at the Centre for Student Community & Leadership Development, which helps new students transition to university life. As a student engagement ambassador, he provided information about the University to students, guided student clubs on their operations and developed social media content to promote the centre鈥檚 offerings.

Each week, the centre鈥檚 team members met to discuss their plans and progress, and Narechania was given an opportunity to lead one such meeting.

鈥淭hat was important, because it helped me build my abilities at communicating and presenting, as well as my social skills,鈥� he says.

The positive experience led Narechania to subsequent work/study positions with 91亚色 International, the Office of Sustainability and the Office of the University Registrar. In these roles, he applied his technical skills to help build data analytics dashboards, track service interactions and improve process workflows.

During his final work/study employment, his supervisor Tom Osborne, assistant director, academic scheduling at the Office of the University Registrar, encouraged him to think about the future. 鈥淭om was my biggest cheerleader,鈥� says Narechania. 鈥淗e introduced me to people who might help me find a full-time role after graduation.鈥�

Narechania leveraged his experiences and network to apply for his first co-op job, successfully earning a 12-month position as a business analyst with Hydro One.

鈥淭he skills I developed through my work/study roles supported me throughout the co-op application process,鈥� Narechania says. 鈥淚 was able to confidently share real examples during interviews.鈥�

That confidence translated to on-the-job impact, where he helped lead an end-to-end legacy system upgrade project that impacted over 9,000 field staff users. Working closely with his project manager, Narechania was involved in the project from its initial planning stage to the project鈥檚 development, UAT (user acceptance testing) and its launch. Work-integrated learning, he says, prepared him for these real-world challenges.

Today, Narechania reflects on how much he has changed since his arrival at 91亚色 four years ago. 鈥淢y work experiences complemented each other. I feel skilled, more confident and more comfortable entering the job market.鈥�

With his sights set on a career as a business analyst or tech consultant, he鈥檚 keen to use the technical expertise he acquired through experiential learning opportunities at 91亚色.

鈥淭he work/study roles gave me knowledge and confidence to be ready for employment,鈥� Narechania says. 鈥淭hey were nurturing spaces to learn how to meet the expectations of employers.鈥�

Originally posted on yFile

芦 Back to Co-op & Career Centre

The post Work/study roles prepare 91亚色 students for co-op success appeared first on Co-op & Career Centre.

91亚色鈥檚 Master of Biotechnology Management (MBM) program provided an answer. One of a kind in Canada, the program offers students training in biotechnology theory and practice, a diploma in business management and two to three terms of paid internship experience. The double credential offered at 91亚色鈥檚 Markham Campus allowed Fazeli to maximize career options by adding business to her STEM background.

What she didn鈥檛 yet know was the MBM program would give her multiple meaningful points of access to the biotechnology industry. Hands-on projects, immersive technical training and mentorship from a 91亚色 alum during her internship shaped Fazeli鈥檚 confidence, skills and career exploration.

鈥淢BM is designed with sustained industry interaction throughout the student journey,鈥� says Jade Atallah, graduate program director, biotechnology. 鈥淭hrough internships, interdisciplinary capstone projects and industry-centred work-integrated learning experiences, students graduate with partner collaborations on their CVs, an expanded professional network and professional credibility that strengthens future employment outcomes.鈥�

Capstone and experiential learning projects in the program鈥檚 curriculum give students a chance to build a practical foundation while engaging with real-world initiatives. For Fazeli, this included a work-integrated learning project during her first term at 91亚色 exploring regulatory frameworks for alternative proteins.

The project was a collaboration with 91亚色's Co-op & Career Centre with support from a Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL Canada) grant.

Fazeli also participated in a project to design a business case for a smart-model prototype for a health care equipment company, offering her meaningful exposure to regulatory frameworks. She notes this knowledge and experience were relevant to subsequent work she undertook with a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO).

The capstone experiences reconfirmed her interest in working at the intersection of science, technology and business as she began her search for an internship, a second foundational component of the MBM program. The competitive process inspired Fazeli to network, attend conferences and actively pursue opportunities.

At 91亚色鈥檚 Markham Campus, internship placements are supported by faculty members and a dedicated employer partnerships team that works closely with organizations to align students with roles that support their goals.

鈥淚 submitted my resume and cover letter through the portal. It was easy,鈥� she recalls. 鈥淎 coordinator got back to me quickly and connected me with the employer.鈥�

That employer was Dalton Pharma Services and the hiring manager was Saif Mia, a 91亚色 alum who is the associate director, informatics and technology services at Dalton Pharma Services, a CDMO that leads pharmaceutical development and manufacturing services for the biotechnology industry.

Mia graduated with a BSc in chemistry from 91亚色 and says his degree was an entry point to the biotechnology and biomanufacturing industry. 鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 be in this industry if I didn鈥檛 study chemistry,鈥� he says. 鈥淭he technical foundation I learned at 91亚色 still applies now.鈥�

Today, he passes his support and expertise forward by mentoring 91亚色 students who are entering the field. Mia and his team engage students in collaborative, problem-solving roles that expose them to the complexities of a highly regulated environment. 鈥淚t鈥檚 our goal to shape future science students that are entering this field during their work terms with us,鈥� says Mia. 鈥淥urs are typically short-term projects, which are well supported by 91亚色鈥檚 co-op program since it offers a flexible hiring timeline.鈥�

In May 2025, Mia hired Fazeli as a digital systems implementation and data migration intern to support his team with implementing a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and to work closely with the organization鈥檚 Electronic Quality Management System (eQMS). She worked with Mia and Huyen Bui, senior specialist, QMS and lab informatics, to help design and troubleshoot workflows, migrate data and translate calibration forms.

Fazeli says she was thrilled to benefit from mentors closely connected to 91亚色 and committed to developing student talent.

鈥淢entorship played a significant role in shaping my experience,鈥� she says. 鈥淲orking at a CDMO is very dynamic 鈥� there was always something I had a question about. Huyen and Saif always met me with guidance and support. I鈥檓 grateful for such a collaborative and supportive team.鈥�

Mia echoes gratitude and says the benefits go both ways. 鈥淣ot only do 91亚色 students like Ida bring value to Dalton Pharma, but we also learn from them, based on the new teaching methodologies and techniques they鈥檙e getting from their curriculum.鈥�

鈥淪tudents come into their roles very curious, which is important,鈥� adds Bui. 鈥淭hey鈥檒l ask questions that inspire us to think of things in a different way, resulting in a process improvement or a modification in the way we do things.鈥�

Early in her role, Fazeli was invited to join four other 91亚色 students for a week in Montreal to participate in the CASTL BioBridge Co-op Training Program. Delivered by the Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL), the program provided hands-on training in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)-simulated facilities to boost students鈥� technical and compliance skills. It gave her another access point to industry and expert instruction in the field.

鈥淭here were many connections to my work experience, including the chance to go into the labs and see the cleanrooms,鈥� Fazeli recalls. 鈥淲hile I鈥檇 come to understand regulatory processes in my job, I got to experience them first-hand at the training facilities.鈥�

Now in her final semester of the MBM program, Fazeli is preparing to graduate with both a professional master of biotechnology management and a graduate diploma in management. She comes away with career-defining insights, confidence and professional connections gained from her mentors and industry experiences.

Programs such as BioBridge, and support for students like Fazeli, advance the Co-op & Career Centre and Markham Campus鈥� commitment to developing industry-ready talent and delivering value to employers.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a win-win,鈥� says Mia, of experiences like Fazeli鈥檚. 鈥淲e gain fresh perspectives from the students and they get a head start experiencing cross-functional collaboration on the job. In class, everyone studies the same thing. Coming into an environment where there are different departments working together on challenges is a great advantage and an opportunity to learn.鈥�

Originally posted in yFile

The post Unique master鈥檚 program opens doors to biotechnology careers appeared first on Co-op & Career Centre.

Sadia Tasnim (data science) and Brianna Nguyen (digital technologies) have been named 91亚色鈥檚 Co-op and Work-Integrated Learning students of the year.

The鈥疌o-op Student of the Year award鈥痳ecognizes an outstanding student who has made a significant impact during a co-op work term in the 2025 calendar year. This year marks the inaugural launch of the award as an institution鈥憌ide competition, and invited nominations from students across all programs.

The Work-Integrated Learning Student of the Year award recognizes an outstanding student who has made significant impact in an activity defined by  (CEWIL) as work-integrated learning in the 2025 calendar year.

Both awards acknowledge students鈥� ongoing efforts to promote work-integrated learning within their campus, communities and industry.

Sadia Tasnim: Co-op Student of the Year

鈥淔or as long as I鈥痳emember, I鈥檝e noticed how numbers quietly dictate what the world pays attention to,鈥� says Tasnim, a鈥痜ourth-year data science student.

Long before entering 91亚色鈥檚 Data Science program in the Faculty of Science,鈥痵he marvelled at the figures she saw in news鈥痟eadlines. She reflected not just on the鈥痳esponse they generated, but鈥痮n the hidden work behind them 鈥� who collected them, how they shaped decisions鈥痑nd how they drove outcomes.鈥��

When she decided to pursue co-operative education鈥痑s part of her undergraduate degree, instead of working at a鈥痩arge tech company, financial institution or consulting firm,鈥疶asnim鈥檚 work term took her to an鈥痷nexpected place: a local鈥痜ood bank.鈥���

Working first in鈥痑gency relations and then as a data administrator,鈥痵he joined Food Banks Mississauga on a growing data team and found a space where her鈥痶alents at鈥痠nterpreting鈥痑nd presenting data鈥痑ligned with her desire鈥痜or community impact.鈥��

Among four student hires, she was one of two selected to鈥痗o-lead鈥痶he organization鈥檚 largest annual initiative: the Annual Visitor Survey.鈥疭he led鈥痑 team of 20 volunteers responsible for collecting data from food bank鈥痗lients, assessing service satisfaction and gathering demographic information to help the organization better understand its community鈥檚 needs.鈥��

One of her鈥痬ost significant contributions鈥痗ame as鈥痶he result of an鈥痷nexpected鈥痗hallenge, when she鈥痜aced鈥痶he sudden鈥痙eparture鈥痮f a direct supervisor. Tasnim welcomed the opportunity to lead her team to the project鈥檚 completion on time.鈥疭he helped compile and analyze the data to produce鈥痑n exceptionally detailed report that her鈥痙irector鈥痙escribed as 鈥渢he first of its kind鈥� for the organization.鈥��

Tasnim also showed initiative by attending external workshops hosted by non-profits鈥痶o understand鈥痟ow data鈥痗an鈥痓e communicated effectively. By the end of her co-op term, she had completed nine reports, including a comprehensive organizational analysis, and presented her findings at a board meeting.

The鈥痬ost rewarding鈥痯art of her experience, she says, was knowing she had contributed to key food security insights that may guide future programs and resource allocation.

鈥淔rom the moment I interviewed Sadia, what stood out most was that her values and integrity drive the work she does,鈥� says Nicole Norris, director of programs and agency network, Food Banks Mississauga.鈥�淎s a food bank, our organization has evolving data needs and seeks talented鈥痠ndividuals to elevate our data approach.鈥疕er combination of technical鈥痚xpertise, leadership potential and commitment to the organization鈥檚 mission made her an asset to our team and left a lasting positive impact.鈥濃��

In addition to making a difference through her co-op role,鈥疶asmin is an active leader in鈥痗hampioning and contributing to WIL. She attended the 2025鈥疌EWIL Canada鈥疧ntario Regional Conversation, where鈥痵he鈥痟elped surface鈥痗hallenges in the landscape of WIL鈥痺ith peers and leaders. She also represented 91亚色鈥檚 co-op program as an ambassador during the Ontario Universities Fair, where she shared her experiences with prospective鈥�91亚色鈥痑pplicants.鈥��

Tasnim also demonstrates leadership in her program as鈥痶he founder鈥痮f鈥�91亚色鈥檚 Data Science Club.鈥� In this role, she has鈥痚stablished鈥痑 membership of more than 120 students and secured sponsorships from local organizations to provide financial support for鈥痶he club's growth.鈥�

In recognition of her achievements and her work inspiring鈥痽oung women to pursue careers in technology,鈥痵he鈥痟as been鈥痭ominated鈥痜or CS-CAN-INFO-CAN's W. Powley Woman of Inspiration Award.鈥�

Brianna Nguyen: Work-Integrated Learning Student of the Year

鈥疦guyen, a second-year digital technologies student at 91亚色鈥檚 Markham Campus鈥痑nd a Dev Degree intern at Shopify,鈥痟as distinguished herself through initiative, persistence and a commitment to community impact.鈥�

Her academic,鈥痯rofessional鈥痑nd creative pursuits demonstrate鈥痟er engagement and advocacy for WIL as a tool for empowerment, innovation and growth.鈥��

In the fully work-integrated鈥疍igital Technologies program鈥痑t Markham Campus, Nguyen dedicates 80 per cent of her time to working full-time at Shopify, and 20 per cent to completing her academic courses in intensive five-day blocks.鈥��

鈥淚 chose digital technologies because it offers a work-integrated experience unlike any other program,鈥� she says. 鈥淭hrough this immersive program, I was pushed to take initiative, apply my knowledge in real-world settings and step into meaningful roles.鈥�

As a Dev Degree intern, she has spent the past鈥痵everal鈥痬onths contributing to technical projects within Shopify鈥檚 Activation team. Her work helps support new merchants鈥痑s they onboard and begin to use the platform.鈥��

Early in her internship, she helped build back-end functionality for Shopify鈥檚 new Retail Yearly subscription, gaining foundational experience in shipping production code.鈥�疻ith more experience, skill and confidence, Nguyen moved to more鈥痗omplex challenges involving AI.鈥疭he proactively sought opportunities for 鈥減air programming鈥� with senior engineers, data scientists and product managers 鈥� a practice in which one developer writes code and another provides review and feedback. This initiative accelerated her learning, she says, and grow her relationship with different members of the organization.

Nguyen is proud to have鈥痗ontributed to development of Shopify鈥檚 AI-powered voice assistant, as well as a new tool that enables non-developers to quickly test prompts across AI models, reducing iteration time and improving鈥痺orkflows.

Nguyen's manager acknowledged her performance, noting she exceeded expectations in her role. Despite being a first-year intern, her performance was recognized as demonstrating capabilities equivalent to a full-time junior developer.

Beyond her technical skills, Nguyen has shown leadership by building inclusive spaces for peers. She has hosted Lightning Talks for Shopify staff and interns, presented openly about overcoming imposter syndrome, mentored new Dev Degree cohorts and served as a student executive for ElleHacks, Canada鈥檚 largest hackathon for women and non-binary students.

She also鈥痳epresented 91亚色 and engaged in meaningful connection-building at the  conference where she was鈥痵ponsored by鈥疻omen in Science and Engineering (WISE) at 91亚色.

Her achievements reflect her advocacy for inclusive innovation and her belief in the power of WIL to build confidence and community.

鈥淲ork-integrated learning has been an integral part of my university experience and a model that I have continued to promote,鈥� she says.

Originally posted on yFile

芦 Back to Co-op & Career Centre

The post 91亚色 recognizes co-op and work-integrated learning students of the year appeared first on Co-op & Career Centre.

Led by Bob Eichvald, director, Career Education and Development; Karen Swartz, interim director, Student Accessibility Services; and Angela Lecompte, manager, Intake, Transitions and Programs at 91亚色, this brand-new initiative will offer supports such as novel educational resources, career counselling, employer networking, mentorship and advocacy tools.

Funding will be used to empower students with disabilities and reduce stigma that prevent people with disabilities from having the same social and economic opportunities as others.

鈥淲e are thrilled to partner with an organization like Embark that is so dedicated to making a positive change by advancing post-secondary career supports and inclusivity,鈥� said Eichvald. 鈥淎s a leader and innovator in promoting accessibility, 91亚色 is expertly positioned to create and direct programs designed to address these distinct needs.鈥�

Compared to their peers without disabilities, students with disabilities experience nearly twice the rate of unemployment and earn median wages that are 5.5 per cent lower on average. A lack of dedicated career navigation supports for students with disabilities exacerbates this even further.

The program is directly aligned with the University Academic Plan 2020-2025, challenging 91亚色鈥檚 community to elevate its contributions to the United Nations鈥� Sustainable Development Goals. Earlier this year, 91亚色 was named the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) Hub Chair for Sustainable Development Goal 10 鈥� Reducing Inequality. 91亚色 was selected from over 1,700 UNAI member institutions for its commitment to reducing systemic inequality, discrimination and exclusion across the University鈥檚 operations, teaching, research and outreach.

Launched in 2023, the Embark Student Foundation Major Grant Program provides funding for innovative programs, initiatives or services that support student success before, during and beyond their post-secondary years.

鈥淭hese are challenging times for students and our educational ecosystem,鈥� said Andrew Lo, president and CEO, Embark. 鈥淭hrough the Embark Major Grant Program, we aspire to support innovation and make education more accessible, affordable and better for all.鈥�

This year, Embark awarded between $250,000 and $500,000 to five post-secondary institutions across Canada, with 91亚色 receiving the highest funding amount granted to the year鈥檚 recipients.

Originally posted on yFile

芦 Back to Co-op & Career Centre

The post Embark Student Corp. invests $500K to boost career readiness for 91亚色 students with disabilities appeared first on Co-op & Career Centre.

The newly integrated space 鈥� a partnership between the Office of the Vice-Provost Teaching & Learning and the  鈥揵rings together these key services all under one roof. 

Located in the Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Building at 91亚色鈥檚 Keele Campus, the centre is accelerating access to real-world experience. Since its launch in May, it has facilitated over 1,900 work-study positions and currently supports upwards of 1,300 co-op students.

With more than 70 per cent of 91亚色's undergraduate programs offering co-op options, the collaborative service model provides future-ready tools that incorporate equity, inclusion and support for both students and employers.

鈥淥pportunities for work-integrated learning and co-op provide critical access to social capital for students who may not otherwise be able to tap into professional networks,鈥� says Chlo毛 Brushwood Rose,鈥痸ice-provost teaching and learning.鈥��淎t 91亚色, where so many students are the first in their family to attend university, the work to expand access to experiential learning advances our core values 鈥� excellence, social justice and equity, and diversity and inclusion.鈥�

Inside the Co-op & Career Centre, students will find a bright, welcoming space offering one-on-one coaching, group workshops, peer mentoring and more. The team will continue to expand services to meet students鈥� needs in the months ahead, and plans are underway to introduce AI-powered interview preparation tools and specialized support for students living with disabilities. These innovations reinforce 91亚色鈥檚 commitment to barrier-free access and ensure graduates are prepared for a rapidly evolving job market. 

Faculty and staff are key partners in 91亚色鈥檚 integrated approach to co-op and career development. By engaging students through the centre, they are helping to create clearer pathways for students to build the skills, experiences and social capital to start their careers with confidence.

鈥淲e鈥痥now鈥痟ow vital career development and experiential learning opportunities are for students as they prepare and strive for positive outcomes after graduation,鈥� says Yvette Munro, vice-provost students.

For students like Ruella (Ella) Ordinaria, a fourth-year biochemistry major, the centre was instrumental in helping her achieve an eight-month co-op position as a research assistant at Environment and Climate Change Canada鈥檚 Hazardous Air Pollutants Laboratory.

鈥淪ecuring a co-op placement can be stressful and competitive, but the Co-op & Career Centre provides a wide range of resources 鈥� from job-search support to recruitment events,鈥� says Ordinaria, adding the one-on-one resume preparation and mock interviews were key to her success.

With services centralized, the experience is far less overwhelming. The team is responsive and transparent, and demonstrates a genuine interest in student success, she says, helping students become 鈥渟tronger, more competitive applicants.鈥� For her, this support resulted in multiple offers from employers. "The centre can provide guidance and support 鈥� even if you鈥檙e not sure what questions to ask or which resources you need,鈥� Ordinaria says. 鈥淭heir support can make a significant difference in helping you secure a position and feel more confident throughout the process.鈥�

Employers also benefit with streamlined access to 91亚色 talent through a single point of contact, making it easier to connect with students across disciplines, build partnerships, collaborate on projects and participate in on-campus hiring.

A recent event to celebrate the Co-op & Career Centre鈥檚 launch brought together students, faculty and employer partners to mark this milestone in 91亚色鈥檚 commitment to experiential learning. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to visit the new space.

鈥�91亚色 students and alumni are now empowered through an integrated centre that鈥檚 inspiring and designed for success,鈥� says Munro. 鈥淭his is a space that says: 'You belong here, and you can succeed.'"

While a dedicated website for the Co-op & Career Centre is in development, those interested can find information on the  and its affiliated 

Originally posted on yFile

芦 Back to Co-op & Career Centre

The post Integrated Co-op & Career Centre聽transforms pathways聽for students, employers appeared first on Co-op & Career Centre.

This initiative strengthens support for existing co-op programs and enables the expansion of co-operative education across the University.

With the creation of the new Co-operative Education & Experiential Learning team under the Office of the Vice-Provost Teaching & Learning, synergies were identified with the existing Career Centre team, under the Office of the Vice-Provost Students. As a result, a new partnership between the teams has been established to improve access for students and the employers who hire them. To increase visibility and accessibility, enhance service delivery and foster collaboration, a shared office space was proposed.   

As of Sept. 2, both teams are officially operating out of 1020 Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Building on the Keele Campus, now known as the Co-op & Career Centre. While the teams remain distinct in their offerings, the move brings together services that play a central role in supporting students from the Keele, Glendon and Markham campuses in career readiness and connects them more directly with employment and experiential learning pathways.   

The new Co-op & Career Centre is easily accessible to students from across the Keele Campus. Bob Eichvald, director of career education and development, highlights the strategic importance of the move. 

鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to be in a location that鈥檚 more visible and accessible to our students,鈥� he says. 鈥淥ur goal is to meet students where they are, and this new space helps us do that physically and programmatically.鈥� 

Melanie Belore, executive director of experiential learning, notes this initiative reflects the University鈥檚 focus on fostering employability as a key outcome of a 91亚色 education.  

鈥淭he establishment of this shared space is one of many steps 91亚色 is taking to improve access for students and enhance industry partnerships. We are also updating our technological systems and using our combined forces to increase employment opportunities. We want all 91亚色 students to graduate not only with a strong academic foundation, but with the skills, experiences and social capital to start their career with confidence,鈥� says Belore.

Faculty, staff and students are invited to visit the new space to explore career resources, meet with the teams and learn about upcoming events and opportunities.

Originally published on yFile

芦 Back to Co-op & Career Centre

The post 91亚色 opens integrated centre for co-op, career services appeared first on Co-op & Career Centre.