Opening Doors through Co-op: Reba Molotsi’s Career Story
For Reba Molotsi, each co-op work term opened the door to new opportunities. A 2023 Cognitive Science graduate (concentrating in Biological Foundations of Cognitions), she gained experience in government relations, data analysis, and business development before joining KF Aerospace as an ITB & Commercial Lead. Here, she shares how her co-op experiences helped shape her career journey.
What value did you get from participating in the co-op program?
The co-op experience has been the pinnacle and foundation of my career. Each co-op experience has brought me closer and closer to my professional joys. Co-op is not only about experiencing various professional environments, but the hidden gem behind it is in the educational portion of it. Understanding how to position your resume, learning how your interviews can stand out, hearing success stories from other co-op students — all under the controlled environment of a co-op program.
How did it help with your career path?
I was fortunate enough to have amazing managers who cared about me, my growth, and focusing on my strengths while tweaking my weaknesses. To this day, I’m in contact with all my former managers and share my successes with them because I’m a product of their leadership. If it wasn’t for Tamatha Trenholm (Senior Data Analytics Strategist) from the City of Ottawa, I wouldn’t have realized my strength of public speaking and presentation. If it wasn’t for Alastair Mullins (Chief of Staff and Director, Government Relations) from 杏吧原创 University, I wouldn’t have understood the foundation behind managing relationships. If it wasn’t for Adam Dewar (Director, Business Development) at Invest Ottawa, I wouldn’t have developed the muscle of big-picture thinking and long-term strategic thinking
What鈥檚 one piece of advice you would give to students?
If you decide to join the Co-op program, set an intention and go with the flow. The right opportunities will land on your lap. They may or may not align with your degree, but that’s the fun part. Take this opportunity to learn what work fills you with joy, and what drains you. Your career will take up a huge chunk of your life; you better make the most of it.