Ted Rogers Co-op students gain experience in non-profit sector

The Ted Rogers Co-op program gives students the opportunity to work in fields ranging from healthcare and finance to the public sector, and this year, several students have been gaining valuable experience -- and making a difference -- in the non-profit industry as well. 

Twenty-four Ted Rogers Co-op students have had the chance to work at a variety of non-profit organizations in 2021, including the Daily Bread Food Bank, Elevate, Canadian Executive Service Organization, BlackNorth Initiative, Health Partners, Make-A-Wish Canada and Scarborough Centre of Health Communities.

"I have had the pleasure of hearing stories from students thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to work one or even two of their co-op work terms for a non-profit organization,” says Jessica Kudlats, Manager, Corporate Partnerships at the Business Career Hub, which runs the Ted Rogers Co-op Program.

“Students thrive knowing the job they are doing will make a dramatic impact on the lives of others,” she adds. “As business students, they learn how to work with limited resources, to explore creative alternatives and how to wear many hats to make sure everything gets done.”

BlackNorth Initiative

The BlackNorth Initiative (external link, opens in new window) , which has a mission to end anti-Black systemic racism throughout all aspects of our lives by utilizing a business-first mindset, hired five Ted Rogers Co-op students to be Project Co-ordinator Interns during the Summer term. The students came from different programs, including Law and Business, Marketing, Business Technology Management and Human Resources Management, and two of them continued their placements there in the fall.   

Célestin Owona, Director of Finance, Operations & HR at the BlackNorth Initiative, says that what his organization was looking for in students is leadership. He believes that we are all leaders and that we need to recognize what type of leader we are. He wanted the students to be themselves at the organization and use their leadership skills in the real world. And they did.

“The Ted Rogers Co-op students were creative, brought new ideas to the table, took the lead on meetings, asked questions and provided invaluable input,” says Owona. “I was amazed at the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the students, and how they were able to apply their theoretical knowledge empirically autonomously.” 

“BlackNorth Initiative’s cause was also something the students embraced because they have strong values,” he adds. “When you see that in students, you want them to express themselves.”

Human Resources Management student Joedel Macabontoc worked at the BlackNorth Initiative during her Summer 2021 co-op term. 

“I wanted to do my co-op placement at a non-profit organization because I wanted to be part of a change, spread awareness and create positive impacts in a business setting,” says Macabontoc. “The BlackNorth Initiative is a perfect example of advocating for that change and fighting against Anti-Black systemic racism.”

Working as an Intern under the HR, Finance, & Operations team, Macabontoc was exposed to different HR activities, such as creating a hiring process, researching, proposing and supporting the priorities of developing the HR department, as well as looking further into different HR software and screening resumes. “I definitely gained a lot of experience with helping the organization build the foundation for the HR department,” she says. 

“I was really inspired to see the work that the team at BlackNorth Initiative has been doing, and the change they’re creating every single day,” Macabontoc explains. “I got a glimpse of why people love working for non-profits and how different communities are interacting and becoming involved with the organization’s mission to eliminate Anti-Black systemic racism everywhere.”

Elevate

This summer, Business Technology Management student Ayub Yusuf was one of two Ted Rogers Co-op students working at Elevate (external link, opens in new window) , a non-profit which believes technology holds the incredible potential to transform the world for the better. The organization’s mission is to unite Canada’s innovators to solve society’s greatest challenges. 

Elevate was a good fit for Yusuf because he says, “I wanted to work in an environment where I would be able to implement the knowledge and skills I learned in school in the workplace, as well help other people who also might not have had a lot of opportunities to learn about things like information technology.”  

Yusuf worked as a Business Technology Program Design Intern at Elevate where he supported the manager of the design program in coordinating courses and making content. He also supported design and development micro-credential programs that have benefited many people from underserved communities. 

“I wanted to work in a place where I knew I was helping people,” Yusuf explains. “I felt as though Elevate really allowed me to help so many underprivileged people and see the world in a different perspective. It also allowed me to hone my skills in information technology, and taught me so much about the business world.”