Passionate about oceanography, Camosun College alum Peter Van Buren credits his experience in the Co-operative Education program with landing his dream job with Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Institute of Ocean Science.

Getting insights from co-op staff into employers’ recruitment needs and processes “greatly impacted my approach in seeking employment,” he says, and guidance from his work term supervisor gave him the right approach and confidence to vie for the position he holds today.

“I would highly recommend pursing student work terms to other students,” Van Buren says. “It is a great way to open doors and make steps into the workplace.

“These opportunities … will further my personal and career development.”

Peter’s innovations and enthusiastic approach to his work earned him the 2016 Yvonne Thompson Page Co-op Student of the Year Award, bolstered by a hearty endorsement letter from his employer who praised Peter’s work in preparing four major arctic research cruises.

“Peter offered up solutions to make the process more streamlined and efficient,” wrote Mike Dempsey, the Institute’s Senior Arctic Oceanographic Technician. “[He] demonstrated that he is a student of distinction.”

The Institute is no newcomer to the benefits of co-op, taking on students for five work terms in the past three years.  “Our department has benefitted greatly from Camosun Co-op students,” Dempsey says. “We plan to continue using Camosun students in the future.”