Extreme Co-op: from mild Victoria to freezing Hay River
Second year Civil Engineering Technology student, Niall McPherson, completed his first co-op work term last summer in sunny Victoria. His second work term took him to a much more extreme climate! McPherson spent ten very chilly weeks in Hay River, Northwest Territories working for the Department of Transportation, Highways Division. Although McPherson was born in Hay River, he grew up in the milder climate on Vancouver Island and had to learn how to survive in an average temperature of -30º C (down to -65º C with the wind chill factor!).
McPherson was drawn to the Civil Engineering program because of his long time interest in the design of buildings and structures. The Department of Transportation provided an excellent co-op learning experience for McPherson, enhancing his learning by exposing him to many different projects across the territory. McPherson was particularly excited to travel to Vancouver with another co-op student to meet with Associated Engineering, the company that designed the Kakisa River Bridge for the Department of Transportation.
John Suwala, assistant director for Highway Operations and McPherson’s co-op supervisor says, “Niall performed above expectations for those skills that would be considered on par with a two-year technologist.” Suwala says McPherson brought good engineering sense and a “ready to work” attitude that quickly integrated into their workplace and methods. “Niall was knowledgeable for the typical items that would require a break in period for any other new additions to the team.”
McPherson finds the co-op experience to be very rewarding, both in experience achieved and financial gains. “With the spacing between academic and co-op work terms, co-op allows students to be able to afford the costs of schooling.” The co-op program also assisted McPherson in deciding which kind of company—consulting, construction or government—he would like to work for upon graduation as a civil engineer.
Benefits of Co-op
Real world experience is essential in this age of staff shortages and tight budgets. Co-op benefits the student in practicing engineering and leadership aspects of the business, as well as the employer by providing increased capacity for those special skills that are in demand in the industry. “The program is excellent and a good fit for our needs. Please provide more students like Niall for work terms with us,” says Suwala.
Is Co-op for you?
For more information about co-op education and internships, visit Camosun’s Co-op department or email co-op@camoson.bc.ca
Find out more about Civil Engineering Technology
