Between the two companies that he worked for in his co-op program, accounting student Justin Vos had two unique co-op experiences. He was able to take what he learned in the classroom and apply it in very different ways.
“On one hand, you have this massive global accounting firm that’s for-profit and works with businesses, and on the other hand you have a local nonprofit that works with their own tenants and vulnerable people.”
For his first co-op term, Vos worked with KPMG, a public accounting firm, on the audit team, ensuring accuracy in preparing audited financial statements and preparing personal tax returns. He hadn’t previously considered working with KPMG, but as part of co-op, he had to take a preparation course where he did mock interviews with real companies.
“One of my interviews was with KPMG, and they encouraged me to apply for a real role. They had a great reputation, especially for how they invested in their co-op students. I knew it would give me a diverse experience working with large clients and I’d get to learn from some of the best.”
Working with Indwell was a very different experience for Vos. While his work with KPMG came unexpectedly, with Indwell, he had to search out the opportunity. He ended up finding a unique chance to pursue a joint passion shared between business and helping people experiencing homelessness in Hamilton. “God put it on my heart to get experience in the nonprofit world, helping with homeless ministries and the housing crisis. This organization provided the best place in the area where I could grow as a business leader and work in this ministry.”
While at Indwell, Vos helped with accounting and worked with the finance team to research and implement a new loan management software. Although he lacked experience and the task was a challenge, it was also exciting for him to grow in something new. To be entrusted with such a responsibility and to work on a project of lasting value was a highlight of Vos’s work.
With his two co-ops, Vos enhanced his learning by applying what he learned at Redeemer in the real world. “Redeemer taught me hard skills like financial accounting, project management and strategies for nonprofits. Having that knowledge helped me to take off running because I had a base knowledge of those things.”
Vos realized that after he graduates, having previous experience through his co-op will give him confidence to serve God wherever he works with the best of his abilities.
“As Christians, we’re called to be leaders in the workplace, whether through ethical practice, or loving people. It’s harder to think about how you can serve the people around you when you’re just trying to stay afloat in figuring out your job.”
I can serve the Lord no matter where I work … I can carry my faith and bring my whole self to my work every day …
God also used Redeemer to build Vos’s conviction on the value of working to serve God rather than to get a dream job.
“I can serve the Lord no matter where I work. Even if it’s a job that I don’t like inherently, I can still have joy in knowing I can serve him in this job. I can carry my faith and bring my whole self to my work every day, and I experienced that working in both a Christian business and a secular business.”
Overall, Vos’s co-op program was a positive introduction to the world of business.
“A lot of TV shows that I watched growing up said the business world was full of ‘sharks’ and self-seeking people, but I didn’t experience that in the places where I worked. I learned that there are people who want to help and mentor you, help you succeed and learn. They were very different companies, but they both had employees who wanted to invest in me. It was great to work at organizations that believe that when your employees succeed and grow, your business succeeds and grows.”