Student Experience

Gain real-world experience through a Co-op Placement

Students who maintain a high academic standing in their first semester are eligible to take part in co-operative education. A co-op officer helps secure the co-op placements, but students must participate in job interviews in order to secure the placement they want—just like the real world.

“We will be hiring our co-op student after he is done his business program on a full-time basis to be a broker!” -Judy Farrell, Owner of Judy Farrell Insurance

“Algonquin gave me great opportunities to show my potential to employers. Given the wonderful program experiences I had, I can honestly say that I love the business program!”

-Kristina Smith, Business Grad 2017

Students who participate in co-op placements gain valuable on-the-job experience, and the opportunity to build their contacts, and make a favourable impression on the employer. Many employers use co-op as a means to groom students for future employment with the company. It also gives employers an opportunity to provide feedback to the College about the skills that students bring to the workplace allowing for a healthy dialogue that can lead to enhancement of program curriculum.

Hands-on Experience

Hailey O’Connor is a current Business student and even though she is in a compressed diploma program that is demanding, she recognized that join the Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce offered an exceptional learning opportunity that extends beyond the classroom. O’Connor shares, “The Chamber truly advocates the interests of local businesses and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be involved and hope to contribute ideas that will help promote and encourage local businesses.”

When asked about the importance of this community partnership, Lorraine MacKenzie, Executive Director shares, “having a Business student representative on the UOVCC is a win-win for us. The student gets to experience what it is to sit on a Board of Directors and gives them access to local business owners/managers/entrepreneurs who can give them advice what it is like to run a business. The Chamber wins by having access to the next generation of business owners/managers/entrepreneurs.” Learn more about Hailey’s experience.

In the last semester of their studies, students in the Professional Sales course take part in a Mock Trade Show. Students learn the skills required to be successful in today’s highly competitive business sales and commerce environment. They acquire excellence in retail sales and customer service strategies and processes. They also gain an understanding of customer relations and personal selling, new sales technologies and professionalism in the sale of goods, services and ideas. It is a hands-on opportunity for students to experience the dynamics of a trade show and to practice the sales skills that they have learned during the course. It is one of the Business student’s favourite projects.

Varied employment opportunities

Graduates of the Business program find work in both private- and public-sector organizations. Many have secured employment with government agencies in roles such as economic development officers, start-up business consultants, and budget officers. Others have secured employment in private companies in roles such as office managers, bank loan officers and sales representatives. Many more have started up their own business, helping drive a trend of self-employment and entrepreneurship which is becoming the backbone of Canada’s economy. Salaries within the Business sector can vary depending on the size of the operation. However, the flexibility of a Business diploma provides a multitude of employment opportunities that will create opportunities for advancement, good pay and benefits, and career satisfaction for graduates.

Your Laptop is A Portable Classroom

The use of technology has transformed the way business is done around the world. In a 24-7 work environment, business never stops and much of the world’s business transactions now take place in a virtual environment. The Business program at Algonquin College embraces technology through a mobile-learning environment for students. By incorporating technology so closely with the subjects taught in the business program, the laptop computer and other technology become necessary and invaluable tools for our students.