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Tomomi Chu
Tomomi Chu
Marketing Student
Tomomi Chu is a second-year Marketing student who accepted the Marketing Assistant co-op position with Acumen Engineering Ltd. When asked what her expectations of participating in Co-op were, Tomomi replied, "I applied for Co-op to get a reality check; I wanted to experience what the marketing environment was like to make sure I was on the right track". Some of her expectations that she had going into this co-op placement were: real-life experiences that would help her personally, as well as professionally, practical experience where her academic education could be applied and the opportunity to earn money while she completed her co-op.
Tomomi was originally hired to set-up and implement new proposal database software, to assist in producing proposals in response to RFPs (Request for Proposals), and to perform general office administration duties to assist the Support Services Coordinator. However, mid-way through her term she began to take on additional responsibilities for graphic design, which included designs for letterheads, posters, invitations, and others.
"The opportunity to have applied my marketing education and integrate with my graphic skills" was one of the enjoyments that Tomomi mentioned when asked about her placement. She enjoyed the challenge of working on creative projects from conceiving an idea and turning it into reality. One of the most challenging tasks for Tomomi was managing heavy workloads caused by overlapping of big projects.
The benefits of a co-op placement were evident for Tomomi. "I was also able to apply my academic education and earn money to help pay for my education. But most of all, I got my reality check and now have a better idea where I want to focus my career." When asked how the co-op office was able to help Tomomi prepare for her work term, she replied "The Co-op staff was amazing: they were very helpful and supportive. Their full support through the job acquisition was very critical in getting me a placement."
Tomomi now has a better idea of the career she wants to seek and she knows what to look for in an employer and the type of working environment that suits her. She knows her direction and it is helping her to plan her career strategy and tactics. When Tomomi was asked what her advice would be to other fellow students or future potential students, her reply was "Whether you know your direction or not, Co-op will be one of the beneficial experiences you could have within your lifetime".
