Alumni Spotlight: Leveraging Co-op to Launch a Career in Operations

Name: Nada AlMubarak

Program & Graduation Year: BA Psychology, 2024

Co-op Positions & Employers: Administrator & Social Media Coordinator at Agents of Discovery Inc. (12 months)

Current Role & Employer: Partnerships & Operations Lead at Agents of Discovery Inc.

How did your co-op experience shape your current career path and professional identity?  

When I first joined Co-op, I wasn’t entirely sure what direction I wanted to take my Psychology degree. I knew I wasn’t pursuing a traditional path like therapy, but I wanted to understand people and bring that insight into the workplace.  My co-op work term was my first  professional role, and although I initially doubted myself, my supervisors quickly recognized my strengths in coordination, communication, and problem-solving. Their trust helped me recognize skills I didn’t even know I had and shaped how I see myself as a professional today. 

The Co-op program team self was an incredible support system. The workshops, check-ins, and encouragement from the UBCO Co-op team reminded me that growth takes time. Through the experience, I went from an intern unsure of her place to someone who could manage projects, mentor new Co -op students, and eventually step into a leadership role.

“Co-op didn’t just confirm my interests; rather, it gave me the resilience and a new perspective to pursue them with confidence.”  

Describe a specific co-op project or experience where you made a meaningful impact on your organization. 

One project that stands out from my co-op was the creation of onboarding and promotional kits for our clients. When I started in 2022, the company was running about three seasonal campaigns a year. I noticed that customers often struggled to find the resources they needed, which created frustration and inefficiencies. I took the initiative to organize these materials into user-friendly kits, combining instructions, graphics, and promotional assets in one place. With the support from my team , I coordinated the entire project, brainstorming ideas together, dividing tasks, and reviewing each other’s work.   

It gave me the confidence to see that even as a student, my ideas and projects made a difference. Following the success of the first project, the organization began applying the same idea to seasonal campaigns that were highly requested by our customers. These campaigns quickly became a core way we supported clients, growing from just three per year to multiple each month. I’ve since led many more projects, but that first onboarding kit will always stand out as the moment I realized I could contribute something truly meaningful. 

What valuable skills did you gain during your co-op work term(s), and how are they still relevant? 

During my Co-op terms, I learned to juggle multiple roles, from social media coordination to customer success and operations, often switching tasks quickly. This taught me adaptability and multitasking, especially when working with different teams and clients. Just as valuable were the people skills I developed. While Psychology gave me a foundation for understanding people, Co-op showed me how to apply it: tailoring communication styles to different stakeholders, building trust with clients, and leading projects with confidence. The onboarding kit project in particular let me practice these skills by communicating across departments, listening to customer needs, and taking ownership from start to finish. 

How has mentorship influenced your career?

I’ve been fortunate to have incredible mentors. Through their  strategic guidance and feedback, my mentors have allowed me to  take on responsibilities that built my confidence, and their mentorship is a big reason I’ve been able to grow within the company.

Beyond my workplace, I owe so much to my family. My uncle, Ali Sabt, has been a lifelong mentor. Before I left for university, he reminded me constantly that nothing was too hard for me if I set my mind to it. His belief in me pushed me to apply for Co-op in the first place, and his encouragement still shapes the way I approach challenges today. My mother has also been one of my strongest role models. Her resilience, determination, and constant encouragement showed me what hard work looks like and gave me the drive to keep pushing myself further.

Describe a challenge you faced during your co-op experience. How did you overcome it?

The first two months of my co-op were the hardest. I was new, unsure if I fit in, and often questioned my ability to succeed. On top of the self-doubt, I was navigating the change in environment from being a student to being young professional in the workplace.

What helped me most was the community of colleagues, many of them being UBCO alumni , who made me feel supported and welcomed. That collaboration showed me that I didn’t have to figure everything out on my own; I had a team I could learn from and grow with.

Looking back, those early struggles taught me resilience and showed me the value of leaning on others for support. I learned that it’s normal to feel uncertain at the beginning, but by staying open, asking for help, and taking on challenges step by step, I could grow into someone who not only belonged in the workplace but could also lead and mentor others.

What advice would you give to students about maximizing their co-op experience?

My biggest advice for students is to stay open-minded. You may not get the first job you apply for, and you might not know exactly what career path your degree will lead you to, and that’s okay. Rejection is part of the process, but persistence pays off. Take advantage of every opportunity to grow, even if it’s outside your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid to suggest ideas, ask questions, or take on more responsibility.

Co-op showed me that with the right mindset, you can discover strengths you didn’t realize you had. Most importantly, remember that you’re not alone; mentors, supervisors, and peers can play a huge role in helping you succeed, just as they did for me.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, and I really value the company I keep. Living in Bahrain, I try to do something different every weekend, whether it’s exploring new places, finding activities around the city, or trying out a new restaurant. I also love experimenting with makeup and skincare as a creative outlet; it’s a fun way for me to unwind and take care of myself. For me, it’s less about what I’m doing and more about who I’m with, and those experiences keep me grounded and inspired.