Unsure about what job is right for you? Chiang advises to look at the bigger picture, as she sees it as a vital part of the learning experience. Many students may worry about finding an ideal position, and she suggests focusing on finding aspects of the job that work for you.
鈥淚 decided to treat my Co-op journey like a treasure hunt and to scavenge for things I can piece together to create my own ideal,鈥� Chiang says. 鈥淭here are going to be findings that you like and dislike but just remember that they are both valuable. This approach has allowed me to expand my physical and mental visibility to other 'treasures' that I would have missed otherwise.鈥�
While working for Cortico Health Technologies, - a small start-up, Chiang was surprised to be working in a space where Co-op students and supervisors worked closely. 鈥淚 was able to directly communicate with the company CEO, and I found that my opinions and contributions were being heard and seen by everyone.鈥� On the other hand, while working at a long-term care facility, Hawthorne Senior Care Community, Chiang was introduced to a large work environment with a wide range of career options. "As part of my Co-op assignment, I conducted informational interviews with a dietician, RN, social worker, recreational therapist, music therapist, and many more. To learn what a day in their job looks like and listen to the journey on how they got to where they are now was inspirational, and opened my eyes to so many possibilities."
