Concordia co-op alumni share real-world insights for success in business

How do you turn a co-op work term into a thriving career — or even a company of your own? At Co-op & Tell: From classroom to career success in business, three accomplished John Molson School of Business alumni returned to Concordia to share how their co-op experiences became the launchpad for their professional journeys.

The event was the first in a new series presented by the Institute of Co-operative Education to offer inspiration and guidance to current Institute students. Future panels will feature successful alumni of the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science and the Faculty of Arts and Science.

The value of curiosity

The lively lunchtime panel on October 28 was hosted by long-time co-op program coordinator Richard Melkonian. He was joined by David Colasurdo, BComm 12, an investment advisor at BMO Nesbitt Burns; Matthew Battah, BComm 11, president of Sahah Naturals; and Sandy Poiré,  BComm 10, senior portfolio manager at CN Investment Division and past president of CFA Montréal. All three Concordia alumni are employed at companies that hire co-op students, paying their experience forward to the next generation.

“You have to be invested enough and curious enough to go to career fairs and meet people,” said Colasurdo, who emphasized the importance of curiosity and self-awareness in shaping a meaningful career. “Knowing who you are and what you like will help define your career path.”

A strong advocate for lifelong learning and mentorship, Colasurdo and his wife, Christina Christou, BComm 15 — also a former co-op student — generously founded the Emerging Leaders Award to support co-op students at Concordia. The couple met while Christina was on a co-op work term.

“Concordia Co-op doesn’t just give you a career — it can give you a life partner,” Colasurdo said with a smile.

 “I had a passion for business and went into accounting because it was the language of business,” said Battah, who left his successful accounting career to found his own company. “I did a work term at a Big Four firm, but there was also so much value in working at a smaller company because of the breadth of roles you’re exposed to.”

Battah pointed to the diverse experiences he gained through his co-op experience: “I credit co-op for my pivot to entrepreneurship, because I had a variety of skill sets that helped me make the switch.”

‘Find balance and community’

The panelists agreed that maintaining balance — through fitness, meditation or time with friends and family — is key to long-term success.

When asked about avoiding burnout, Battah noted, “The world knows now that the way we are working has changed. You don’t want to forget yourself.”

For Poiré, perseverance was essential from the start.

“I had to work hard to get into co-op,” she recalled. “I was a competitive figure skater and just learning English, so my grades weren’t very strong. But I kept trying and convinced them to accept me — I even promised to find my own internship.”

Her determination paid off: she went on to earn her Chartered Financial Analyst designation and Master of Business Administration, and now leads the Absolute Return portfolio at CN Investment Division while continuing to mentor others.

She also highlighted the importance of building community: “Networking is so important. You can find small communities — from your company, your field, your program, or co-op — and it becomes less intimidating because you realize you’re part of several small networks that help build your career.”

Learning from alumni success

Students in attendance, including Ryan Likei, posed questions about burnout, career transitions and the growing role of AI in business.

 “It was so great to have these business leaders and company founders come and pass on their knowledge and advice,” Ryan said.

Whether they are preparing for their first work term or planning their next big step, Co-op & Tell offered students a reminder that success is built one opportunity — and one connection — at a time.

Learn more about co-operative education at Concordia.

Learn how to hire Concordia co-op students.