For Concordia students, the future is cooperative
Shawn Bruno, BEng 95: “The future of work is unpredictable.”
Industry leaders in engineering, business and artificial intelligence (AI) recently gathered at Concordia to discuss how work-integrated learning is preparing students — and employers — for today’s fast-changing world.
The panel celebrated the 45th anniversary of the Institute for Co-operative Education at the university, sharing insights on how co-op helps develop job-ready graduates in today’s disrupted economy.
Cherine Zananiri, director of co-operative education and experiential learning at Concordia, moderated the event. She highlighted the power of co-operative education and the evolving role of universities in preparing students for their complex and shifting futures.
“Over our 45-year history, co-op has been woven into more than 70 programs. It allows our students a wide variety of experiences that prepare them with the skills and fresh ideas that employers need,” she said.
Why employers need co-op — now more than ever
“The future of work is unpredictable,” said Shawn Bruno, Concordia co-op alumnus and long-time engineer and mentor to many interns at Pratt & Whitney Canada. “Universities need to be producing people who are going to contribute in meaningful ways and are ready for a challenging future.”
Co-op’s hands-on experience benefits employers directly — that kind of experience is gold in today’s workplace,” explains Bruno, BEng 95.
Johanne Bohn, director of organizational development at Pomerleau and a graduate of the Concordia co-op program, recommends hiring co-op students because of their fresh thinking and adaptability. “Universities have a great pool of talented people who are constantly learning and evolving,” she says. “They bring diverse perspectives and a spirit of curiosity that help organizations stay agile and relevant.”
Bohn encourages future co-op students to stay curious: “Learning agility is key with the geopolitical changes we are seeing recently. The ability to constantly learn is a muscle that we need to keep in shape in today’s unpredictable world.”
Anne Nguyen, chief AI officer at the Conseil de l’innovation du Québec, also spoke on the panel. She highlighted the rapidly changing roles with the advent of AI. “Ten years ago, many of today’s roles didn’t even exist. Fields like ecommerce, web design and social media have transformed before our eyes — and they’re still evolving,” Nguyen explained. “In a world shaped by rapid technological change, staying current means embracing emerging technologies and investing in cutting-edge education.”
Bruno outlines the approach that Pratt & Whitney Canada takes with their interns: “We rely on the new generation to bring us forward,” he says. “We give our interns real meaningful work because they are powering the next generation of our products. They share with us what is new out there, including the latest research taught by universities, and we ask them how they can help us go beyond.”
Cherine Zananiri welcomes co-op students, award recipients, faculty, staff, employers and panelists to the 45th anniversary event.
What makes Concordia co-op students stand out
Asked to reflect on Concordia’s impact, Bruno remarked on Concordia’s potential: “There’s a secret something here that not enough people know about.” He reflected on how the campus had expanded since his university days, with bold infrastructure investments like the standalone engineering and business buildings.
Nguyen noted how Concordia stands out for both its modernity and authenticity. “It’s hard to choose a university just by look and feel,” she said. “But it’s about your root values, your relationship with the community — and Concordia’s got that.”
Niayesh Sanaat, a graduating industrial engineering student and 2025 Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Student of the Year Award national nominee, emphasized Concordia’s culture of opportunity. “It gives students the chance to take the lead — whether it’s on projects, co-op placements or student associations,” she said. “My involvement in a student group helped me realize the path that I want to continue on after graduation.”
Making experiential education accessible to all
Concordia is working to ensure every student has multiple hands-on learning opportunities before graduation. “Experiential learning is no longer optional — it’s foundational,” Zananiri explained. “By the end of this year, every Concordia program will include at least two such experiences.”
Throughout the discussions, one message was clear: experiential learning is vital to building an agile workforce. “We are producing humans who are going to contribute in meaningful ways,” Bruno said. “Let’s be loud and proud about that.”
