Hiring it Forward: Nicole Poole (BComm’09)
Nicole Poole (BComm’09) has been a strong supporter of hiring co-op long before she’d even held a management position.
A graduate of Dalhousie’s Bachelor of Commerce Co-op program, Nicole is now a manager of financial analytics with the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA). She credits her personal co-op work term experiences with developing her professional skills, creating a network, and building her resume, making her a more competitive candidate when it came time for her post-grad job search.
Nicole has two co-op students working on her team and plans to have the roles filled year-round. While the students she’s hired provide support to her team, they also bring “new ideas to challenge the status quo.” For an organization that always looks for innovative ways to do business, the new knowledge and fresh-thinking that students provide is welcomed and appreciated.
Reciprocal value
Though the benefits received by the students are significant, Nicole shares that she considers the experience to be mutually-beneficial. While students fulfil an immediate need as a dedicated resource and support, employers gain an eager employee, grateful for the opportunity to acquire experience and put their cutting-edge business education to work.
Many organizations are tapping into the valuable insights and perspectives that students bring. Nicole shares that the NSHA is reaping the benefits of hiring co-op students, who she calls “enthusiastic team members with fresh ideas.” The students she has hired have added value by contributing new ideas while being effective in their work tasks: “They learn quickly and can be an asset to improve productivity for your full-time team.”
Making good business sense
Not only do organizations benefit from the fresh-thinking and innovative ideas that students bring, they know that hiring students is good for the bottom-line. Employers who hire students draw on their energy, skills and knowledge, without the commitment of a full-time hire. Financial support from both the federal and provincial government may also exist for many organizations, further offsetting the cost of student work terms.
Act fast to secure top talent for the New Year. Advance your winter projects with a Dalhousie business student. Our Bachelor of Commerce Co-op program offers a bright talent source for your workforce with 4 month winter terms beginning in January. Looking for help over a longer term? The Corporate Residency MBA Internship program lets you hire tomorrow’s business leaders today for 8 month terms that run from January to August.