Kalea: My Co-op Experience

While studying for my final exam in April 2026, I received an email saying I’d received a job offer to join the Client Engagement Unit’s marketing and content team under the BC Public Service’s Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. After months of searching, excitement is an understatement — I’d landed my first-ever co-op placement with a great team.

I was worried I wouldn’t land a job before the co-op term began in May, as summer work terms tend to be more competitive since everyone wants to take a break from their regular studies. But I was also concerned that I wouldn’t find a position that aligned directly with my undergraduate psychology degree or my future goal of pursuing research. Eventually, I realized I needed to widen my search beyond directly related roles. I reframed my approach, treating co-op as a chance to explore other paths before committing to one, based on the idea that transferable skills might exist in less obvious positions.

In my role with the BC Public Service, I don’t set aside my psychology-based skill set; it’s part of the work. Content decisions backed by analytics, UX (user experience), engagement benchmarks, and reputable sources are similar to evaluating evidence in a research paper. Choosing how much text a slide should hold or condensing carousel images to platform limits are direct applications of understanding how people process information.

This summer, I’ve written blogs, a success story, updated website content, created social media posts, developed a social media strategy for four platforms, and planned content calendars. I’ve learned a lot, including Agile project and task management, when to post certain content for optimal engagement, and all the free programs and resources that are offered by the B.C. government and WorkBC. I’ll probably use those tools myself in the future.

Through all this, my experience has strengthened my goal of conducting research, understanding people, and helping others. As a bonus, it allowed me to carry out my interest in writing.

Interviewing Caroline Heinrichs for a success story was probably a highlight of my experience here. Her winding journey from working with special needs children to undergoing knee surgery to starting her own quilting business built on a lifelong passion was inspiring to hear. Most people worry that turning a hobby into work will drain the joy out of it, but Caroline’s story proves that you can turn something you love into a livelihood. As someone pursuing psychology because it genuinely interests me, hearing her describe finding her way back to something she’d loved since her youth was reassuring. Following a genuine interest, even when the path isn’t linear, can still lead somewhere real.

Looking back, this co-op turned out to be the kind of exploration I needed. This isn’t a detour from my path but a part of it. If you’re heading into your own co-op search, here’s what I’d want you to know.

Kalea’s Seven Tips for Future Co-ops

1. Don’t rule out roles that don’t obviously align with your degree. Many positions carry surprisingly transferable skills.
2. Try to be comfortable asking questions to avoid misunderstandings. It’s better to be sure than to assume.
3. Keep a running log of what you learn, even informally. It encourages you to self-reflect on your journey, and it can be helpful for updating your resume later.
4. Don’t be afraid to flag inconsistencies or ask, “Why do we do it this way?” Fresh eyes and perspectives catch things that permanent employees may miss or don’t have time to review.
5. Track your projects. I had to juggle multiple projects at once, which were in various stages of approval. Staying organized teaches you time management skills, and it helps you to stay ahead and know what steps need to be taken next.
6. If you’re fully remote, ask about setting up 15-minute 1:1s with everyone on your team. It’s the remote equivalent of walking desk to desk, and it makes reaching out to people outside of your direct team feel far less awkward later in your work term.
7. Schedule co-working meetings with teammates. Despite the perks of a fully remote role (e.g., not needing to commute), its downside is the lack of socializing. Working side-by-side on a call helps you stay connected and bounce ideas off each other in real-time.

Want to know more about how co-op works and its benefits? Check out the Apprentices, Reservists, Co-op Students and Temporary Foreign Workers page.