ubc arts co-op annual report 2013/2014

ARTS CO-OP PROGRAM

2013/2014 YEAR END REPORT

UBC ARTS CO-OP YEAR END REPORT 2013/20142

MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN

The Arts Co-op Program turns 15 this year, so it’s a great time for me to express what an essential part of our education this program occupies. We have striven mightily in the last four years to enhance career preparation for our students, and central to this is the integrating of learning and work so as to better prepare students for life after university.

Three stats bring the Co-op program into relief: more than 4,000 UBC students participated in Co-op last year; Arts Co-op students earned more than $3.5 million in the same year; and most importantly, some 90% of our Arts Co-op students were employed within three months of graduation.

To appreciate the impact of co-op first-hand, I had the privilege of visiting a handful of our co-op students this spring at their workplaces in Hong Kong. The employers I met with stressed that UBC students are ready to engage with the world and in business at a top level, and a couple of the employers only look to UBC for co-op students because of the quality of students they’ve encountered.

I was especially pleased to learn about how these students are assessed and about the tasks they’re given while on assignment. Students write up a set of goals, describing what they want to learn and the experiences they hope to have. They are asked to interview a professional while on their placement, something that furthers their network of professional contacts and provides them with an expanded view into the world of professional work. Students prepare LinkedIn profiles with their CVs and build a network of contacts, and students also prepare a description of the work they do to aid future students with the same employer. Site visits are conducted to assess how well things are going for both the students and the supervisors. The whole package strikes me as the ideal circumstances for integrating what one has learned into professional practice. One student described her co-op experience as “lighting up” her education, allowing her to make sense of her classroom learning.

We’ve committed extra resources to co-op, and have seen about 15% growth in placements per year in the last few years. As if that’s not enough good news with which to celebrate the program’s successful 15 years, Arts Co-op student Alex Chen was honoured as the country’s top co-op student by the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education – a first for UBC. Alex spent eight months last year at the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Development in Ottawa, helping to advise the Minister on issues and events in East Asia.

So here’s a salute to Alex Chen and all of our co-op students, employers, and staff in the 15th year of a very successful and important program for Arts.

Gage Averill Dean, Faculty of Arts

UBC ARTS CO-OP YEAR END REPORT 2013/2014 3

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

2013/14 was a good year for the field of co-operative education in Canada, with multiple reports — from organizations like the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario and the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada — articulating the value of integrating paid work experience with university education, and governments, including ours in BC, exploring ways to encourage more employers to hire co-op students.

To celebrate our 15th anniversary year, we recognized 4 co-op employers with Outstanding Employer Awards for providing high quality learning opportunities to our students over many years:

• Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada• Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden• Professional Association of Residents of British Columbia • Sam Sullivan Disability Foundation

We are immensely grateful to these employer partners, and for the support of all of our employers who have collectively provided over 3,500 co-op opportunities for our students in the last 15 years.

In addition, we also recognized Sally Hermansen, Senior Instructor in Geography, with an Outstanding Faculty Award for her extraordinary involvement and leadership over the past decade.

We were thrilled that during our 15th anniversary year one of our students, Alex Chen, was honoured as the top co-op student in Canada by the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education. Alex’s substantial contributions on 2 work terms with the North East Asia division of the Department of Foreign Affairs, his outstanding academic achievements (he received UBC’s top undergraduate awards, the Wesbrook and Premier Scholarships), and his service to the UBC community were extraordinary. Alex typifies the very best of what a co-op student can do.

Alex was one of 415 students to complete work terms through our program this year, our highest placement rate to date. Other significant statistics include Arts co-op students earning over $3.5 million in salaries this year, 46 students completing international co-op terms, and a record number of job postings for our graduate and undergraduate programs.

We were also excited to pilot the first PhD co-op program at UBC this year with the UBC English Department. Through this program students will explore alternatives to academic career paths, and leverage their knowledge and skills in new contexts. We look forward to reporting on the first placements in next year’s annual report.

I hope you’ll enjoy learning more about our remarkable students and employers in the profiles and data contained throughout this report. I welcome comments and feedback to me directly anytime at [email protected] or 604.827.5194.

Julie WalchliDirector, Faculty of Arts Co-operative Education Program


OUR ROOTSThe UBC Arts Co-op Program started as a pilot program in 1997 for students in the Department of English. As a result of our growth and success, the program is thriving and includes students across all undergraduate disciplines within Arts (26 different undergraduate programs in the Social Sciences, Humanities, and Creative and Performing Arts) and graduate programs in The iSchool@UBC, more formally known as the School of Library, Archival and Information Studies.

We are now the third largest co-op program at UBC with about 569 active students in the program.

ARTS CO-OP PROGRAMMISSION STATEMENTThe UBC Arts Co-op Program offers students enriched educational experiences for personal and professional growth by working with diverse community partners and sectors to provide transformative workplace learning.

The UBC Arts Co-op Program aims to:

• Provide students with the support and opportunities for career exploration, and diversification of experience and skill sets

• Develop skilled professionals who can strengthen the workforce in new and innovative ways

• Enable students to be engaged citizens who contribute positively to a global society

• Build student capacity for leadership

• Foster student and alumni connections to UBC and the local and international communities


The Arts Co-op Program placed 415 students during 2013/14, including 345 undergraduate (UG) students from Humanities, Social Science, and Creative and Performing Arts majors, 69 graduate (G) students from the UBC iSchool, and 1 PhD student from the Department of English. This is the highest placement success in the program’s history and an 11% increase over last year’s numbers.

EMPLOYMENT BY SECTOR & REGIONThe public sector remained the largest employer of Arts Co-op students in 2013/14 with 48% of placements, down 2% from last year. The non-profit sector had 28% of placements (an increase of 2% from last year), with the remaining 24% working in the private sector (an increase of 1% from last year).

In 2013/14, 75% of our placements were in the Lower Mainland area, 2% on Vancouver Island, 3% in other BC locations, 8% in other Canadian provinces and territories, and 11% in foreign countries.

EDUCATING GLOBAL CITIZENS: INTERNATIONAL PLACEMENTSThis year 46 students completed co-op terms in Belgium, China, France, Hong Kong, Korea, Malawi, Singapore, Thailand, and the United States – a 28% increase from last year.

Since the Program’s inception in 2000, Arts Co-op students have worked in over 27 different countries.

We know that living and working abroad is one of the most powerful educational experiences students can have, and want to ensure all students who want international co-op experience have access to challenging opportunities.

FACTS & FIGURES

PLACEMENT HISTORYOVERALL INTERNATIONAL

Year UG G PhD Total Placements % of Total

99/00 112 - 112 10 9%

00/01 119 - 119 10 8%

01/02 144 - 144 10 7%

02/03 134 15 149 15 10%

03/04 189 25 214 18 8%

04/05 182 20 202 19 9%

05/06 212 28 240 35 15%

06/07 220 46 266 25 10%

07/08 264 54 318 43 14%

08/09 223 39 262 29 11%

09/10 201 37 238 16 7%

10/11 215 61 276 23 8%

11/12 265 64 329 29 9%

12/13 304 71 375 41 11%

13/14 345 69 1 415 46 11%

Total 3134 529 1 3664 367 10%


STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

ARTS CO-OP STUDENT WINS TOP NATIONAL CO-OP AWARDUBC Arts Co-op student Alex Chen (International Relations Major, French Minor) was awarded Canada’s 2013 Co-op Student of the Year by the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education (CAFCE).

It’s the first time a UBC student has won the award in the competition’s 20-year history. Alex distinguished himself through his exceptional work terms as a Junior Officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada.

During his work term, Alex contributed to numerous projects, from managing ministerial correspondence, event logistics, and consultation work, to supporting and filling in for multiple colleagues in times of challenge. He also wrote

briefs, conducted research and analysis, and created presentations for the department on political and trade matters that were acknowledged by his employer as “vital to the progress of important files for Canada”.

For the CAFCE award, Alex was selected from an accomplished list of 24 nominees across Canada. He was also the recipient of the 2013 UBC Arts Co-op Undergraduate Student of the Year Award.

ARTS CO-OP STUDENT KEEPS COMMANDER CHRIS HADFIELD GROUNDEDIn work terms at the Canadian Space Agency’s (CSA) Operational Space Medicine Programme, Arts Co-op student Eva Kwan (Psychology Major, Commerce Minor) had the privilege of supporting Commander Chris Hadfield with his mission to space.

Eva was instrumental in contributing to the overall success of the space mission, including ensuring the well-being of Chris Hadfield. In close collaboration with the CSA, NASA teams, and other partners, Eva implemented support measures for the Commander to ensure his psychological health in space. She worked on the Commander’s personal webpage that included news and programming and also planned space-to-ground video conferences to keep him connected to life on earth and reduce his feelings of isolation.

“She made a huge difference in the success of my spaceflight through her bright and creative support, endless patience, hard work and sense of fun,” says Chris Hadfield. Eva’s direct supervisor, Leena Tomi, was also pleasantly surprised at her “exceptional talents and personality” and believes that she is “the most outstanding co-op student” that they have worked with.


2013 UBC ARTS CO-OP STUDENTS OF THE YEARThe Arts Co-op Program recognized each of the three winners for outstanding achievement in all aspects of student performance, including academics, the workplace, and professional and/or community involvement with a monetary award recorded on the student’s transcript.

THE iSCHOOL@UBC MLIS CO-OP EBONY MAGNUS Master of Library and Information Studies Work term: Student Librarian, UBC Library

THE iSCHOOL@UBC MAS CO-OP DANIEL COLLINS Master of Archival Studies Work term: Archivist, Arts Club Theatre Company

UNDERGRADUATE ARTS CO-OP ALEX CHEN Bachelor of Arts, Major International Relations, Minor French Work term: Junior Officer, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

STUDENT INTAKE & SELECTIONDuring our annual intake in Fall 2013, we received 371 applications from undergraduate students and admitted 214. For the graduate program, we received 60 applications from iSchool students and admitted 56. For the pilot PhD program, we received and admitted 3.

STUDENT INVOLVEMENTThe Arts Co-op Students’ Association (ACSA) strives to create a community for students and alumni to connect with their peers, and to share their co-op experiences and career aspirations. As the first co-op student association at UBC, ACSA organizes events to enhance students’ professional skills and provide them with an opportunity to get to know others in the program so they can learn from one another, have fun and stay connected.

ACSA’s 7 teams are led by students and elected by Arts Co-op students:

• Publishing Team• Social Team • Finance & Promotions Team• Web Team • Mentorship Team• Alumni Relations Team• Professional Development Team

In addition to regular professional development workshops, mentoring, and a range of social events, ACSA also contributes a portion of each students’ membership fees to the UBC United Way campaign, helping to raise awareness of the needs and services within our local community.

To learn more about ACSA and their accomplishments, and to read their online blog, visit http://ubcacsa.wordpress.com

HIGH CALIBRE STUDENTSPotential undergraduate Arts Co-op students go through a rigorous and competitive application process, as we strive to admit outstanding students who will meet the needs of our employers.

We assess students’ suitability for the Program by reviewing their academic achievements, previous work and volunteer experiences, interpersonal skills, writing abilities, and career motivation. After reviewing applications, we select the strongest students to participate in group interviews where students are asked both behavioural and standard interview questions. Following this, students deliver a brief presentation and complete an independent writing assignment.

We invest in this rigorous selection process to ensure that we consistently deliver the highest calibre students for our employers.


STUDENT SALARY AVERAGES

Since the Program’s launch in January 2000, Arts Co-op student wages have totaled over $29.5 million!

The following salary data shows co-op salary averages by employment sector. Undergraduate students earn an average of $2,177 per month while on Arts Co-op work terms, while graduate students earn an average of $2,898 per month. In total, undergraduate Arts Co-op students earned $2,764,662 in salaries during 2013/14, and graduate Arts Co-op students earned $811,420 in salaries, for a total of $3,576,082 earned in 2013/14.

An undergraduate student will earn on average a total of $23,902 over 3 work terms. Students who choose to do an optional fourth co-op work term before graduation will earn an average of $32,077 and students who choose to do an optional fifth co-op work term will earn an average of $41,985.

UNDERGRADUATE SALARY BY WORK TERM

Work Term Average Salary1 $7,8242 $8,0953 $7,984

Total $23,9034 $8,1755 $9,908

Total $41,985

3500

3000

2000

2500

1500

1000

500

0public privatenon-

profitoverall

$2,6

39

$2,8

41

$1,9

45

$2,4

73

$1,6

44

$3,4

31

$2,17

7

$2,8

98

Undergraduate

Graduate

UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE SALARIES BY SECTOR


TYPES OF KNOWLEDGE• Archaeological

methods and principles

• Data collection and analysis

• Economic modeling

• Environmental assessment

• Environmental economics

• Finance• Fundraising• Geographic

Information Systems

• International development

• International peace & security

• Policy analysis• Quantitative

& qualitative research

• Statistical analysis• Survey design &

implementation• Technical &

research report writing

• Anthropology • Mathematics• CognitiveSystems • PoliticalScience• Economics • Psychology• FirstNationsLanguages • SocialWork• Geography • Sociology• InternationalRelations • SpeechSciences• Linguistics • Women’s&GenderStudies

DIANA MANZI Major Economics, Minor CommerceDiana considers herself fortunate, having worked in co-op terms that have allowed her to directly apply her academic background in Economics and Commerce. During work terms at Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, Diana conducted economic research to support a policy proposal on fiscal relations between Aboriginal self-governments and Canada. She also assisted with a working group on an economic development initiative that supports greater loan access for First Nations groups. These experiences were enriching for Diana, as she had the chance to put theory into practice. After completing 4 co-op terms, Diana reflects that for her co-op has been time well-spent, especially in a “competitive job market for new graduates.” Boosted by experience that’s relevant to her studies, Diana returns to school to finish her degree with a renewed focus and the confidence to carry her forward into life after graduation.

SOCIAL SCIENCES MAJORS

LAWRENCE BOOK MCKNIGHT Double Major Human Geography and SpanishThe building blocks of Lawrence’s professional skills in co-op started when he worked as a Tour Guide on the observation deck of the Vancouver Lookout. There, he honed his public speaking skills by delivering English and Spanish language tours to large groups of people of all ages and nationalities. The experience transferred naturally to Lawrence’s next co-op terms as an ESL Teacher with the Canadian Institute of Business Technology in China. He designed and taught English curriculum to a wide range of students and evaluated their progress and language levels. The two terms he spent in China were eye opening. By learning to adapt to a new culture and language, Lawrence realized his potential for adapting to unknown situations and challenges. Not only did co-op expose him to different career possibilities, it also provided valuable life skills and the confidence to venture out and explore new opportunities.


TYPES OF KNOWLEDGE• Communications• Fundraising• Intercultural

communication• Language abilities:

Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, South Asian Languages, Spanish

• Museum collections• Policy development

& analysis• Program

administration• Research

& analysis• Technical & business

writing• Translation

• AsianAreaStudies • German• AsianLanguagesandCulture • Spanish• CanadianStudies • History• ClassicalStudies • NearEasternStudies• Classics • Philosophy• English • ReligiousStudies• French • RomanceStudies

HUMANITIES MAJORS

ELISE BUCKLEY Major English Literature (Honours), Minor FrenchElise’s work terms have enabled her to build a variety of valuable skills that complement her academic achievements – a blend of experience and education that she believes will set her apart from other grads. With the YMCA, Elise coordinated a language and work exchange for high school students, where she recruited student and employer participants, selected host families, and planned events and activities. The versatility of this position enabled Elise to gain skills in planning events, leading workshops, teaching, and managing a balanced budget. For her next co-op term, Elise got a taste of policy development at the federal level while conducting research and analysis in support of the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Copyright and International Trade Policy Branch. One of the highlights of her work was a presentation she delivered to dozens of civil servants on current copyright related issues. With these experiences in hand, Elise has gained much insight into the worlds of non-profit organizations and the civil service.

HELENA BRYN-MCLEOD Major Modern European StudiesHelena always thought she’d make a good teacher, but it wasn’t until she spent 7 months in a classroom with French elementary children that she decided teaching was exactly the career she wanted. The decision came easily for Helena and she credits co-op for leading her there. In her first co-op term as a Senior Camp Counsellor at Burns Bog Conservation Society, Helena planned seven-hour educational sessions to keep multi-aged groups of children engaged and entertained. This experience of being responsible for the daily activities of 25 children propelled Helena to a teaching position in France. As an English Teaching Assistant for the Centre Internationale d’Études Pédagogiques, Helena developed confidence as a teacher and a personal teaching style through her work with 26 classes across 3 schools. Both her co-op placements have helped Helena to become a more confident educator, and she now plans to pursue a Bachelor of Education to teach French Immersion.


SAM MARKHAM Double Major Creative Writing and SociologySam has a clear vision for her career: to get her novels published and to work in the publishing industry. Her co-op terms have helped support this goal and enhance her competitiveness in the job market. Sam started co-op as a Marketing Assistant with the Vancouver Chamber Choir, where she coordinated the production and distribution of four brochures for the choir’s educational programs and compiled a list of potential funders and sponsors. Following a term at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra processing lottery ticket orders and coordinating volunteer-run ticket sales, Sam secured a position with Harbour Publishing. Currently, she coordinates email campaigns, maintains media lists, creates book posters and writes press releases. In the upcoming term, Sam will act as the lead publicist for four books. Altogether, these co-op terms have afforded Sam the chance to learn the business side of the arts, including how she may one day get her own writing published.

CREATIVE & PERFORMING ARTS MAJORS ARTS MAJORS

TYPES OF KNOWLEDGE• Arts administration• Creative writing• Digital arts• Film production• Fundraising• Music education• Music composition &

performance• Painting,

photography, print media, sculpture

• Theatre design, directing & acting

• Acting • Music• ArtHistory • Theatre• CreativeWriting • Theatre:Design&Production• FilmProduction • VisualArts• Film Studies

WHITNEY MILLAR Double Major Creative Writing and English LiteratureWhitney has been able to broaden her horizons through co-op, as it has led her to work opportunities that she otherwise would not have found on her own. Whitney started her co-op journey as a Human Resources Manager with Kaslo Jazz Etc. Society, where her main responsibility was to schedule and organize over 200 volunteers for a weekend music festival. It was no small feat logistically to keep everything running smoothly, but also a unique learning opportunity to work with a large and diverse volunteer base. This experience translated directly to Whitney’s next co-op position with the Powell Street Festival as a Volunteer Coordinator, where she organized 200+ volunteers. She also liaised with sponsors to collect items for volunteer hospitality and appreciation. Whitney has always been interested in arts and cultural events, and her work terms have allowed her to see first-hand how major festivals are created and executed from behind the scenes.


MASTERS DEGREES• Library & Information

Studies (MLIS)• Archival Studies

(MAS)• Dual Archival &

Library Studies (MASLIS)

TYPES OF KNOWLEDGE• Electronic

information retrieval• Internet research• Knowledge

management• Management

principles• Organization of

information• Records

management• Research and

analysis• Web site design and

content development

THE iSCHOOL@UBC

EBONY MAGNUS Master of Library and Information StudiesEbony considers her work term as a Student Librarian with UBC Library’s Humanities and Social Sciences Division to be the most valuable part of her time at UBC’s iSchool, as it provided practical grounding that directly enhanced her coursework and prepared her for real-world academic librarianship. Ebony routinely provided in-person and virtual reference services, delivered library workshops for first-year students in English and Arts Studies classes, and completed special projects. The largest project that Ebony worked on during her co-op term was UBC Library’s implementation of LibGuides, an online research guide platform. For her role in this project, she developed a training program and delivered workshops for librarians and library staff across UBC Library. Ebony sums up her co-op experience by saying “much of my success is due to the opportunities afforded to me by UBC Arts Co-op and the Humanities Social Science Division at UBC Library.”

SCOTT OWENS Dual Masters of Archival Studies & Library and Information Studies While Scott’s studies have provided him with an understanding of archives and records management concepts, co-op has allowed him to gain valuable experience in working with theory. As an Archives Assistant in his first co-op term at Western Front, Scott established a digital preservation strategy and catalogued a collection of 1,300 analogue video tapes and 100 digital videos. For his second placement, Scott worked as a Project Archivist at the Northern British Columbia Archives and Special Collections with the University of Northern British Columbia. In this role, Scott developed an audio digitization procedure and arranged and described the fonds of the former head of the school’s Women’s Studies department. Both experiences have helped inform Scott’s career choices: working in archives has opened another potential career path, which was originally focused on records management. With practical experience under his belt, Scott believes he has the professional skills and confidence for his job search after graduation.


GRACE MOK | B.A. 2002 | Economics & Commerce Finance Manager, Policy, Internal Controls and Compliance, BC HydroAs part of the first cohort to graduate from the Arts Co-op Program, Grace exemplifies what the program had hoped to achieve when it was conceived in 1999. When Grace first joined co-op, she didn’t have a clear path in mind, but co-op helped her develop skills related to her degree and discover her career interests. Grace’s work term with the Bank of Montreal provided her with important customer service experience, where she exceeded daily call targets by 60%. She wanted work that involved more analysis though, and she landed as a Financial Assistant at WorkSafeBC, where she had originally started her co-op journey as an Administrative Assistant. Grace experienced first-hand what the accounting profession entailed and it inspired her to earn a Diploma in Accounting at the UBC Sauder School of Business and a Chartered Accountant designation. Grace’s final work term at WorkSafeBC also exposed her to internal controls and corporate governance, which is her area of specialization in her current role.

JEFF CUI | B.A. 2012 | Political Science & International Relations Program Advisor, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development CanadaJeff, a self-proclaimed lifelong sports fan, never imagined that co-op would help him land his dream job with the Olympic Games. During his first co-op term, Jeff worked as a Ticketing Coordinator with Jet Set Sports, where he assisted with international ticket sales and front of house ticket operations for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The dream didn’t end there. After graduating, Jeff landed contract positions with the London and Sochi Olympic Games, where he managed the allocation, distribution, and sales of a total of 450,000 individual and 2,500 hospitality packages. Back in Canada, Jeff again credits co-op for helping him get to where he is now. His co-op terms with Travel Alberta allowed him to become familiar with Parks Canada and the federal government, which eventually led to a role with Health Canada after graduation and into his current role with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada in Yellowknife.

KATIE FEDOSENKO | B.A. 2011 | Honours English Communications Coordinator, Teck ResourcesKatie believes that “what you put into the job, you will get out in return.” Carrying this philosophy throughout her co-op journey has paid off well for Katie. She started co-op as a Special Events Assistant for the BC Lung Association, where she coordinated the Golf Privilege Club program and supplies and signage for the annual Bicycle Trek for Life and Breath. With a keen interest in work beyond her job description, Katie created opportunities for herself to learn new programs such as Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop, as well as how to write sponsorship request letters. Three work terms later, Katie grew as a creative writer and web communicator in her role as a Communications Assistant with the Faculty of Arts. She wrote online articles and profiles, coordinated social media channels, and edited web content. Co-op helped polish Katie into a well-rounded professional, and she is now a Communications Coordinator in the Corporate Affairs department of Teck Resources.

ALUMNI PROFILES


ALUMNI PROFILES

JENNIFER BORLAND | Master of Archival Studies and Master of Library and Information Studies, 2010 Records Management Coordinator, City of North VancouverIn her co-op term as an Information Analyst at BC Hydro, Jennifer was a key player in planning, designing, and implementing a records management project for one of the company’s engineering departments. Jennifer successfully implemented two systems for organizing the department’s various information resources and improving its management and accessibility. During this co-op term, Jennifer also created a records classification scheme, filing procedures, a library catalog and collection management procedures. The co-op placement was akin to what Jennifer calls a “4-month long interview,” as she was hired part-time immediately after the term ended and then bridged into a full-time role after graduation. Jennifer says, “Without a doubt, my co-op at BC Hydro opened the door and gave me the opportunity to start my career as an information and records management professional.”

HEATHER GLOSTER | Master of Library and Information Studies, 2014 Junior Programmer/Reader’s Advisor, Prince George Public LibraryHeather spent 3 work terms in Prince George as an Instructional and Reference Student Librarian for the University of Northern British Columbia – a small and diverse institution that offered her an excellent training ground for learning on the job and applying what she had learned in her studies. While staffing the research help desk, Heather learned to provide reference support for faculty and students on numerous topics to cover UNBC’s range of course offerings. As one of her most memorable moments, Heather highlights her work with providing library instruction to English language learners for the first time, which helped prepare these students for entrance into university courses. After working for a year in Prince George, Heather discovered the benefits of a close-knit community and the great opportunities for librarians in Northern BC.

ALUMNI RELATIONSThe UBC Arts Co-op Alumni Network started in 2010 and the 2013/14 Organizing Committee consists of Bobby Huang (BA ‘09), Elena Janssen (BA ‘08), and Michael Wong (BA ‘08). They work closely with the Arts Co-op office and the Arts Alumni Relations office to connect alumni, staff, current students and the university. The group holds networking events throughout the year, and shares professional advice with current students through pre-employment conferences and the ACSA mentorship program.

UBC alumni play a critical role in supporting the growth of our program. In the fiscal 2013/14 year, they posted 71 co-op positions with our program, accounting for 17% of all postings.

To mark our 15th anniversary year, we honoured Arts Co-op alumni Phoenix Lam-Phipps, Zack Lee, Michael McGreer, Soraya Savji, and Oliver Zihlmann for their outstanding contributions to the Alumni Network and the mentorship of Arts Co-op students.


EMPLOYER REPRESENTATIVESANDREW FABRO, Head of Library Services, Environment Canada

JANIS MCKENZIE, Head, Information and Instruction, WAC Bennett Library, Simon Fraser University

KATHY GIBLER, Executive Director, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

PRIA SANDHU, Executive Director, Professional Association of Residents of BC

SUZANNE JAY, Director, Communications, MS Society of Canada, BC and Yukon Division

SHAWN CRAWFORD, Project Manager, Research Unit, Aboriginal Affairs & Northern Development Canada

TARA HARTLEY, Regional Director, Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Pacific Region, Public Works and Government Services Canada

FACULTY MEMBER REPRESENTATIVESSALLY HERMANSEN, Associate Dean, Student Services (ex officio)

VICTORIA LEMIEUX, Associate Professor, The iSchool@UBC

SUNAINA ASSANAND, Senior Instructor, Department of Psychology

ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2013/2014

ARTS CO-OP ALUMNI REPRESENTATIVESCHRISTINE GERGICH, Supervisor and Appellate Court Records Officer, Superior Courts Judiciary

SORAYA SAVJI, Recruitment Consultant, Annex Consulting

BOBBY HUANG, Analyst, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

JOCELYN HALLMAN, Librarian, BGC Engineering

TIMOTHY HUNT, EDMS Coordinator, RCMP

MARYN WALLACE, Manager of Philanthropy, United Way of the Lower Mainland

OLIVER ZIHLMANN, Development Officer, St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVESHELEN HALBERT, Master of Library & Information Studies

SCOTT OWENS, Dual Masters of Archival Studies and Library & Information Studies

SOPHIA KIM, Honours in Economics, Co-Chair, Arts Co-op Students’ Association

JEANEAS FAN, Major English, Minor Film Studies, Co-Chair, Arts Co-op Students’ Association

RYLEY HUMPHRY, Major Sociology, Elected Representative

UBC STAFFJULIE WALCHLI, Director (Committee Chair)

ANNA JUBILO, Coordinator, Graduate Programs

SHEILA ASHWELL, Associate Director

DAN SLESSOR, UBC iSchool Student Services Coordinator


UBC ARTS CO-OP STAFF

JULIE WALCHLI, DirectorJulie has worked in the field of co-operative education since 1997 when she founded the first co-op education program in Arts at UBC in the English Department. Since then she has helped to create an Arts-wide program that offers career training and opportunities to students throughout all undergraduate programs, masters programs in the UBC iSchool, and recently to PhD students in the English Department. During 2008/09 she completed a secondment as Senior Advisor, Strategic Initiatives with the UBC Go Global International Learning Programs Office, creating a Student Safety Abroad policy and resources for UBC, and a handbook for faculty members leading Group Study Programs Abroad.

Julie has served in a number of leadership roles in the co-op community, and is currently President Elect of the Canadian Association for Cooperative Education and Past President of the BC Co-op Association. A graduate from UBC’s B.A. and M.A. programs in English, Julie taught in the English department from 1993-97 and co-edited Landmarks: A Process Reader for Canadian Writers. Recognitions include UBC’s President’s Service Award for Staff Excellence and the Association of Co-operative Education BC award for outstanding contributions to the Association.

Undergraduate Degree: B.A., English (Honours) & Political Science (UBC) Graduate Degree: M.A., English (UBC)

SHEILA ASHWELL, Associate DirectorSheila has been working in the career education and employment services field since 1995. Starting with youth in the secondary school system, she moved on to employment coaching, workshop delivery, and employer relations with Career Services at UBC, and has been actively involved in the growth and development of UBC’s Arts Co-op Program since 2000.

An alumna of UBC’s Psychology Program, Sheila understands the value of an Arts degree. Sheila’s primary responsibilities are to manage the undergraduate Arts Co-op program, including the co-op student recruitment process, developing and delivering our “Illuminate” pre-employment conference series, 1:1 coaching and advising of students, conducting site visits, and maintaining positive relationships with the varied employer groups. In 2007 she completed her M.Ed. in Counselling Psychology from UBC, in 2008/09 she served as Acting Director, and in 2009/2010 she took a personal leave to act as UBC’s Loaned Representative to the United Way of the Lower Mainland and to volunteer/travel in East Africa. Sheila is the recipient of the 2008 Dean of Arts Award for Staff Excellence.

Undergraduate Degree: B.A., Psychology (UBC) Graduate Degree: M.Ed., Counseling Psychology (UBC)


ANNA JUBILO, Coordinator, Graduate Programs Anna has been working with graduate students since 2002 and has a wide-ranging background in librarianship, program coordination, communications, and administration; extensive experience working with and participating in international exchange programs; as well as several years of experience at UBC, working with various departments and programs in the Faculty of Arts. She first worked with Arts Co-op in 2001 during a work term as a shared Communications Assistant with the Dean of Arts Office. Her other co-op positions were as a Technical Communicator for TELUS Enterprise Solutions and as an Academic Office Assistant with the YMCA International College. While completing her M.L.I.S. degree at UBC, Anna completed her practicum and professional experience with the Vancouver Art Gallery Library, worked as a Coordinator for VPL’s Summer Readalong Program, and as a work-study student, managing the Department of Linguistics’ Reading Room. She has been in her role with the Arts Co-op Program since 2008.

Undergraduate Degree: B.A., English & Linguistics (UBC) Graduate Degree: M.L.I.S. (UBC)

HEATHER LIAU, Manager, Marketing & Industry RelationsCombining her background in marketing and a passion for student learning, Heather supports the growth of the Arts Co-op Program through active marketing and industry outreach. She works with employers, alumni, and industry partners to promote co-op hiring and to create quality learning experiences for Arts Co-op students. In her previous experience, Heather brought international attention to British Columbia’s technology industry by launching the province’s first International Partnering Forum at the Vancouver International Digital Festival. Through Heather’s personalized business matchmaking, local companies were able to pitch the likes of Cartoon Network, BBC, and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Heather has also led multiple cross-functional teams in marketing campaigns for Vision Critical, makers of one of the world’s most adopted online research platforms. Heather is currently Co-Chair of the External Relations Committee of the Association for Co-operative Education in BC/Yukon.

Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Commerce (UBC)

BLAIR SLATER, Manager, Job DevelopmentBlair has always been a strong advocate of the UBC Arts Co-op program and co-operative education. After graduating from UBC Arts Co-op, Blair returned to his first co-op employer, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, where he managed different locations and hired and supported numerous co-op students. Since then, he has worked as a tour operations manager in Europe, and most recently as a district manager in marketing and sales with ADP Canada. Blair maintained his connection with co-op by sitting on the Arts Co-op Advisory Committee and participating in the mentorship program. He is responsible for expanding the Program by finding new employers and managing relationships with existing ones. He also uses his experience as a co-op alumnus and co-op employer to actively help advise and counsel current students.

Undergraduate Degree: B.A., Political Science & History (UBC)


UBC ARTS CO-OP STAFF

MERRY WANG, Coordinator, Information ManagementHaving graduated from the UBC Arts Co-op Program in May 2005, Merry has first-hand knowledge of the value of co-operative education. Through the Arts Co-op Program, Merry learned how to apply the skills she developed as an International Relations major in a variety of work environments. Merry completed her co-op work terms at S.U.C.C.E.S.S. (as an Assistant Program Coordinator), Atira Women’s Resource Society (as a Human Resources Assistant), and TRIUMF (as a Technology Transfer Assistant). Merry hopes that through participation in the Arts Co-op Program, students, employers, and faculty members will realize that a Liberal Arts education prepares students for a wide range of career opportunities. Merry is the recipient of the 2012 Dean of Arts Award for Staff Excellence.

Undergraduate Degree: B.A., International Relations (UBC)

DAVID YUEN, Program AssistantDavid graduated in May 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations as well as considerable experience and passion in student affairs. As an Arts Co-op alumnus, David completed co-op work terms with Science World, UBC Student Development, and UBC International Student Development. David was also an active campus and community leader through his involvement with UBC Orientations, World Vision UBC, and the Global Lounge. These experiences helped augment his dedication to the enriching value of experiential learning, education, and student leadership outside the university classroom. Since 2012, David has been supporting the essential operations of the Arts Co-op Program. As the Program Assistant, he manages all stages of the co-op hiring process in close collaboration with students and employers.

Undergraduate Degree: B.A., International Relations & Psychology (UBC)

Arts Co-op Office Buchanan C121 - 1866 Main Mall

604.822.1529 [email protected]

artscoop.ubc.ca

HIRE EDUCATIONThe UBC Arts Co-op Program has students available each January, May, and September for 4 or 8-month paid work placements.

Undergraduate students study a wide range of courses in Social Sciences, Humanities and the Creative and Performing Arts.

Graduate students from the UBC iSchool are also available.

ubc arts co-op annual report 2013/2014

Documents

year arts coop students

ubc students

coop experience

impact of coop

future students

deanthe arts coop program

arts coop student alex

quality of students