Alumni Spotlight: Published Research, Pay Equity Analysis, and System Optimization

Name: Hardikaa Balasubramaniam 

Program & Graduation Year: Bachelor of Management, 2023 

Co-op Positions & Employers: 

Co-op 1: Research Assistant with Dr. Jennifer Davis, UBCO Faculty of Management | 4 months 

Co-op 2 & 3: People & Culture Student at Hyper Hippo Entertainment | 8 months 

Co-op 4: Talent Development Student at Blackberry | 4 months 

Current Role & Employer: Senior Compensation Consulting Analyst at Mercer

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

Before joining the co-op, I was uncertain about which field to pursue, since my Bachelor of Management degree opened doors to many opportunities. At first, I worked as a research assistant under one of my professors on research examining the impact of COVID-19 on faculty members. This not only strengthened my Excel and research skills but also gave me valuable experience in presenting findings and even publishing an article. 

My second co-op term at Hyper Hippo Entertainment was pivotal in shaping that curiosity into a clearer direction. The team was small and collaborative, and each member invested time in training me across different aspects of HR. My manager even held a working session to explain how compensation was managed at the company. That sparked my initial interest in compensation as a field. 

My next role at BlackBerry gave me the chance to experience HR in a large, structured organization. I realized that while I valued the broad exposure and diverse interactions a big company provides, I was also drawn to smaller teams where my contributions had a direct and visible impact. That balance – impact within a small team, but opportunities to work broadly – is exactly what I’ve found in my current role as a Senior Compensation Analyst at Mercer. 

Beyond work experience, the UBCO Co-op Program’s support was instrumental in building my confidence and professional identity. I was nervous during interviews, but Meghan from the Co-op Office consistently encouraged me. She reviewed my resume, held mock interviews, and guided me through the entire process. 

Co-op gave me the space to test different interests, build technical and professional skills, and gain clarity on my career path. The program’s guidance and workshops gave me the confidence to see myself not just as a student trying things out, but as a professional ready to step into the workforce. 

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

When I think about meaningful impact during my co-op journey, I realize that each experience contributed to where I am today and shaped my interest in compensation. At every co-op term, I set a goal for myself to leave one tangible contribution within my scope of work. 

In my first co-op, I conducted both qualitative and quantitative analysis on how COVID-19 affected faculty members across Canada. My research revealed that women – particularly racialized women – were disproportionately impacted. Some of my recommendations included revising tenure and promotion evaluation criteria, enhancing research support, and adjusting productivity metrics to reflect the pandemic’s unequal effects. The research was featured in The Conversation. This research bridges the gap between academic study and social impact, bringing systemic issues to the attention of a broader scholarly and public audience. 

At Hyper Hippo Entertainment, my curiosity led me to conduct a pay gap analysis by gender, department, and other demographic factors. Although it was less technical than the federal pay equity work, which I now do at Mercer; it was a pivotal experience. My analysis launched conversations about pay equity within the company and sparked my own interest in compensation consulting.  

“Co-op gave me the space to test different interest, build technical and profession skills, and gain clarity on my career path. The program’s guidance and workshops gave me the confidence to see myself not just as a student trying things out, but as a professional ready to step into the workforce” 

How has networking and mentorship influenced your career? 

Networking and mentorship have played a pivotal role in shaping my career, and I feel fortunate that every person I met during my co-op journey contributed in some way. Since my co-op terms began during COVID, securing opportunities was especially challenging, but my professor, Dr. Jen Davis, supported me with a research opportunity that essentially kick-started my career. Around the same time, my supervisor at Campus Health UBCO, Casey Hamilton, consistently gave me meaningful opportunities, including co-presenting at the International Health Promoting Campuses Symposium. Both Dr. Davis and Casey not only provided valuable feedback but also wrote strong recommendations that helped me secure future roles. 

At Hyper Hippo Entertainment, I experienced mentorship in a very hands-on way. Each team member trained me in different aspects of HR, from recruitment to onboarding. My manager, Megan, held a working session to explain how compensation was managed at the company – using Mercer’s surveys – which sparked my interest in compensation consulting and ultimately led me to Mercer today.  

Beyond training, the support was personal. My colleague Jaime from Hyper Hippo helped me review my first job offer at Mercer and walked me through compensation and benefits, something I knew little about at the time. I’ve stayed connected with the Hyper Hippo team ever since, and their continued encouragement has reinforced the importance of mentorship in building both confidence and career direction. 

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

My biggest advice to students is to approach co-op with curiosity and openness. Don’t worry too much about whether your first co-op perfectly aligns with your long-term career goals – every role will give you skills and experiences that add value. For example, even projects that seemed small at the time, like data analysis or inventory tracking, ended up strengthening my Excel skills I now use daily in my career. 

Use the UBCO Co-op Program’s resources to your advantage. Resume reviews, mock interviews, and staff guidance may seem like small steps, but they make a big difference. 

Finally, invest in building relationships. Supervisors, mentors, and colleagues are not just part of your current work term – they can become lifelong supporters. Some of the people I met during co-op still check in on me and celebrate my milestones. Those connections have shaped my confidence and opened doors long after my work terms ended. 

Looking back, I realize co-op isn’t just about building a resume – it’s about testing your interests, developing transferable skills, and discovering the kind of work and environment where you thrive. If you go in with curiosity and a willingness to learn, you’ll come out with clarity, confidence, and direction for your career. 

What do you like to do in your free time? 

Outside of work, I enjoy staying active and exploring new places. I’m an avid hiker and love spending time outdoors – whether that’s on the trails around BC or traveling internationally.  I was fortunate to take a two-month leave of absence to travel through Peru, Albania, Turkey, and Georgia.  

You could say I love collecting hobbies, and I find that having a fulfilling life outside of work makes me more energized and effective at work.