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Vic Chawla
Vic Chawla
Douglas College Co-op Student of the Year - 2006
Team Co-op is pleased to announce our 4th Leong Co-op Award recipient, Vic Chawla, an Accounting Management Diploma graduate who enjoyed four co-op work terms with the Employment Standards Branch of the Ministry of Labour and Citizens' Services. Vic was chosen for the award for his commitment to his employer and his volunteer activities in the community. We caught up with Vic to tell us more about his co-op experience.
DC: It took you awhile before landing a placement. What made you so persistent?
VC: The co-op staff definitely pushed me to keep applying. I realized that co-op is like any kind of job-hunting - you have to be persistent in order to get your foot in the door. You have to keep applying and preparing and updating that resume whenever you have time because that's what it takes to get interviews and get placed.
DC: What did you learn from your co-op experience?
VC: I learned that attention to detail is very important in the real world, even more so than I realized in school. I also think my communication skills improved leaps and bounds since I was thrown into so many new situations. Knowing that the decisions I was making could be challenged in a court of law made me appreciate the kind of opportunity I was given and take the job very seriously. It was a big confidence boost for me to know that, as a student, the employer had that kind of trust in me and appreciation for my skills.
DC: You were placed with an employer that was not completely related to your program, yet it was still a very positive experience. Can you explain?
VC: Even though it wasn't direct accounting experience, the experience itself was still huge. I learned that accounting isn't just about numbers. It's 90% communication and 10% numbers. The more experience you have, no matter what kind it is, the better chances you have of being employed in your field when you finish school.
DC: How did your volunteer experiences help you?
VC: Through my volunteer experiences I was able to improve my leadership, networking, and teamwork skills. As a co-op student even if you have to do 6 months of volunteering for a position I would take it. You never know what this could lead to. Employers like to see that you've done some volunteering because it shows that you actually like doing these things and want to do them, not because it?s required or part of a course.
DC: What advice would you give to potential co-op students?
VC: When you're a student you don't really realize the full potential of programs like co-op. You're too busy in the books and doing other stuff. Co-op is an ideal first step for anyone wanting to gain experience. Don't discouraged if you're not placed immediately; stick with it because it's worth it!
DC: What does the future hold for Vic Chawla?
VC: At the moment I am looking to get on with a full service accounting firm and work towards my goal of achieving a CA designation. After that I would like to own my own business so that at some point I too can hire a co-op student!
