For Michelle Visser, being this year’s winner of the Co-op Student of the Year Award brings together everything she has experienced during her time at Redeemer University.
“It sums up my educational journey and my journey as a co-op student … It shows that my work was valued. It’s a cool opportunity.”
Visser is a fifth-year business student, specializing in management, and is receiving this award for her exceptional work at BDO as a junior preparer. She received her award on March 15, 2024, during her award ceremony at the Charis Live and Learn Centre. Visser says she was surprised when she found out she was the 2024 award winner, knowing how many of her peers had also had amazing co-op experiences.
As a junior preparer, Visser prepared financial year-ends and tax returns for organizations in various industries. She worked with clients and client files to deliver accurate and complete financial information, problem solving along the way. She also participated in additional learning opportunities, such as a business pitch competition for interns—taking home, with her team, the first-place prize for their project on vertical farming.
Award recipients are chosen by a selection committee made up of Redeemer faculty members. Director of the Career Centre Bruce Wilson explains that the purpose of this award, first given out in 2018, is to “celebrate the excellence of the students and elevate the visibility of co-op.” He adds that employers value the award for many reasons—including organizational pride—and celebrate along with the student for their incredible achievement. Visser’s supervisor at BDO, senior manager Jen Heffernan, attended the award ceremony virtually to give her well wishes and congratulations.
Co-op has the power to take this narrow focus and swing it wide open. Students learn how to apply their gifts in a variety of ways and develop into exemplary young, Christian professionals.
After going to a public high school, Visser decided that she wanted to pursue a Christian post-secondary education. She says she has had many meaningful networking opportunities while at Redeemer through both the business program and the co-op program, making friends in new communities and towns as well as developing relationships with local businesses.
Heffernan describes Visser as a dedicated, analytical professional with strong attention to detail.
“From the outset, it was evident that she possessed a rare combination of academic excellence, strong work ethic and a genuine passion for the field of accounting,” says Heffernan in her recommendation letter for Visser. “Throughout her time with us, Michelle consistently demonstrated exceptional skills and qualities that make her a standout candidate for [the Co-op Student of the Year] award.”
Visser says that her Christian values—particularly patience—helped her to navigate workplace conflict and challenging clients. She was also able to connect with her faith in a unique way when she learned that a few of her colleagues were also Christians, making for some meaningful lunchtime conversations.
Looking to the future, Visser hopes to work in agricultural finance, inspired by her experience growing up on her family’s dairy farm. She says that her experience at BDO helped her learn how to manage and analyze financial reports from the past, an important skill when, in finance, the focus is primarily on making informed financial decisions for the future.
For students considering co-op at Redeemer, she has two simple words: “Do it!” She emphasizes that the investment is worth it as it bridges the gap between theory and practice, as well as giving students a competitive edge as they prepare to enter the workforce.
Redeemer’s co-op program, run by the Career Centre, sends out into the workforce more than a dozen students each term. Students enrolled in the program complete two eight-month co-op placements, giving them the chance to dive deep into areas of professional interest. Redeemer’s co-op program, accredited by Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada, is available to students in three fields of study: business, kinesiology and mission and ministry.
According to Wilson, nearly all co-op students graduate with a full-time job offer in their desired field. This is the case with Visser, as she is expecting to receive a firm, full-time job offer for a spring 2024 start. He says that, through engaging in experiential learning, reflective exercises and professional development online modules, co-op students learn how to portray their accomplishments well and convince potential employers of their value in the workplace with a distinctive level of confidence.
“There’s this transitory element of coming in as a first-year student, and students often have narrow focus on what they can be,” says Wilson. “Co-op has the power to take this narrow focus and swing it wide open. Students learn how to apply their gifts in a variety of ways and develop into exemplary young, Christian professionals.”