Oct 3, 2024
Langara students are transforming their careers and communities through a decade-long co-op partnership with United Way, gaining real-world skills and opportunities. We check in with three former students to hear their success stories.
Langara College’s co-op program gives students paid, hands-on work experiences that can lead to amazing career opportunities after graduation.
And for the last decade, through a special partnership with United Way, Langara has sponsored two students per year to learn the ropes of the non-profit world while making profound impacts on their communities.
Every fall, they participate in a co-op program working at United Way to help drive fundraising campaigns. In return, they get invaluable project management, networking, and public speaking skills – not to mention exposure to new professional opportunities.
To date, the United Way has mentored 21 Langara students.
“We’re mostly looking for heart,” said Michele Horel, workplace manager for corporate relations with United Way. “If you care about your community, you want to give back, and you want to learn real-world, professional skills, we want you.”
In June, Langara and United Way celebrated the 10th anniversary of this partnership with a dinner at Van Dusen Gardens. Langara co-op instructors joined former students and United Way staff to catch up, share stories, and talk about how co-op transformed their careers.
We sat down with three former co-op students who told us how their co-op experiences helped launch their successful careers.
Sergio Sandoval: Paying It Forward with a Career Pivot
Before applying to Langara, Sergio Sandoval was looking to change careers. With a background in construction, Sergio wasn’t sure where his life would take him when he was accepted at Langara.
“Before Langara, I had never worked in an office environment, so the United Way co-op put me in a great position to get that kind of experience. I learned how to network effectively and feel confident speaking in front of an audience. It really broke me out of my comfort zone.”
As campaign associates with United Way, co-op students are responsible for fundraising activities with particular sectors. Sergio’s portfolio included the banking sector, which piqued his interest and ultimately led him to take on a second co-op term at Royal Bank – where he continues to work today as a financial advisor.
Sergio, recognizing the value of the program and United Way, is now paying it forward. He’s one of two ‘Campaign Champions’ at Royal Bank, helping drive up donations to United Way.
Ultimately, it’s a big change from the type of work he did before enrolling at Langara.
“I did a whole 180 in my career path,” adds Sandoval. “If you ever want to change your life, you can. You’re the author of your own book.”
Jaskamal Singh: Continuing to Give Back
Jaskamal Singh’s journey at Langara started right out of high school, when she was accepted into Langara. She had always been attracted to non-profit, community-building work, so when she heard about the United Way-Langara co-op partnership, she jumped at the opportunity.
“This co-op position enabled me to work in the non-profit sector – which I’d always been passionate about – and gain real-world skills and experience at the same time. It was a win-win.”
United Way immediately recognized Jaskamal’s passion for community, and she was assigned to several non-profit accounts.
“This program really boosted my confidence,” says Singh. “I was only 19 at the time, but I was liaising with executives and managers and keeping organized while managing multiple deadlines. On top of that, I was doing a lot of public speaking.”
Jaskamal’s co-op experience was so fulfilling that she went on to complete two more co-op terms before graduating with a concentration in marketing management.
Now, Jaskamal runs her own marketing business, focusing on non-profit organizations. She continues to give back as a family outreach counsellor with one of the non-profits she worked with during her co-op term and is on her way to completing a Master's in Clinical Counselling so that she can continue to help others in different ways.
“United Way gave me a huge leg up. It’s a well-known, credible reference,” says Singh. “One thing I’ve learned is that your career can take any path.”
Argi Ahmadi: It All Started at United Way
Back in 2016, Argi Ahmadi had about to finish her bachelor’s degree at Langara, but felt she had little work experience and wasn’t sure where her career would go after graduating; until she decided to apply for the United Way co-op.
“I’m so fortunate to have been accepted into the United Way co-op,” says Ahmadi. “It put my career on the trajectory that I’m on now.”
As a campaign associate with United Way, Argi was responsible for different sectors, including municipalities, post-secondary institutions and transportation – including TransLink.
“Working at United Way’s offices was so much fun. It was always buzzing with energy. I went all over the Lower Mainland visiting the corporate offices of my accounts, and I met with top decision-makers and executives at events.”
“For me, the presentation and public speaking skills were the biggest takeaway,” adds Ahmadi. “The co-op also improved my networking, planning, and organizing skills.”
Argi still had one more term to complete after finishing her co-op, but that didn’t stop her from building her resume and career. She got a job with the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, and turned that experience into her current role as a manager for stakeholder and community relations at TransLink.
Looking back, would Argi do it again? She credits her experience at United Way for putting her on the path to success. “The exposure you get at United Way is priceless, and it opens so many doors,” said Ahmadi. “I would 1,000 percent do it again.”
The United Way-Langara co-op takes place every fall semester. For more information about becoming a co-op student at Langara and taking advantage of opportunities like the United Way co-op and many others, visit the Co-op and Career Development Centre website. If you are an employer looking to hire Langara talent, contact the centre at coop@langara.ca.