Katie Burnie

“Co-op is an amazing way to get your foot in the door and apply the concepts you learn in class to the real world.”

What are the advantages of joining a student committee?

Being involved in student life gives you the opportunity to make connections and gain additional experiences. I have met some of my best friends through my involvement with student associations. I’ve also gained valuable leadership and organizational skills.

I joined the John Molson Women in Leadership Committee (JMWL) in my very first semester as an Ambassador and absolutely loved it! In my second year, I became the Vice President of Involvement and was responsible for running the Ambassador program that I was a part of in my first year. This year, I’m one of the committee’s Co-Presidents.

The mission of JMWL is to give women studying at John Molson the tools and resources to succeed and promote gender equality both on campus and in the workplace. I was initially drawn to JMWL before I even started at Concordia. They had a booth at the Winter Open House where I learned about the committee. It was comforting to know there was a group on campus to promote gender equality, especially since I was about to enter a male-dominated field.

What’s it like being part of the Co-op program?

Co-op is an amazing way to get your foot in the door and apply the concepts you learn in class to the real world. I’m currently in the Finance Co-op program and beginning my first internship.

The Co-op team is very supportive and offers tons of workshops to improve your technical skills and assist you in the job hunt process. One of the workshops I participated in was for improving my excel skills. It was so helpful and really put my mind at ease before entering my first work term, where I knew I would be using excel daily! There are tons of workshops on various topics, including improving your French skills, interview preparation, and resume and cover letter writing.

What’s the John Molson culture like?

The culture is very supportive and welcoming. Everyone helps each other to succeed, and we all celebrate one another’s successes.

Also, the downtown campus has such great energy. There are incredible restaurants and cafes on every block! As someone who is originally from Ottawa, moving to Montreal was an amazing experience!

Do you have any advice for new students?

My main tip is to get involved. There are so many John Molson committees and associations. Not to mention all the clubs that are available to all Concordia students. There is really something for everyone!