Recent grad Melodie Beal has Co-op to thank for her career success since graduation.

Now the Public Relations and Marketing Manager at the Greater Fredericton Airport Authority, Beal has worked her way up the Co-op ladder to gain valuable experience in marketing, strategic planning and project development.

Beal acknowledges her Co-op work experience in providing her with the tools and knowledge she needed to land her current job.

Although she was not sure of the path she would take in her BBA, this didn’t stop Beal from jumping into a Co-op job in the fall semester of 2004.

“I began my first Co-op placement before I had decided what to take my Honours in, so I looked for something interesting in the Fredericton area,” explains Beal. “I worked for Sunbury Transport for four months as an Operations Trainee. I learned how to use a couple new computer programs and was able to brush up on my Excel skills. While there, I conducted audits to ensure that their optimization program was running smoothly, ran various reports using queries, and looked for trailers which were due or almost due for their preventative maintenance.”

Beal decided to Honour in Marketing, so searched for jobs with a marketing focus. She secured her second Co-op placement in the winter of 2006, which led to her being signed on past her work term for the following summer.

“I worked with the Office of Red Tape Reduction under the Provincial Government,” says Beal. “My main project for that term was to develop a strategic plan for red tape reduction and help in the development of success stories and promote the success of red tape reduction in New Brunswick. I was asked to stay on for an extra term in the summer.During this time, my position was as a Research Officer, where I reviewed other provinces and countries to find best practices for reducing red tape. In the end, we took on a project to develop a system that would determine how to respond and move forward on red tape issues based on a set of criteria.”

With such valuable experience to her credit, Beal returned again in the winter of 2007 to work part-time for both the Office of Red Tape Reduction and Business New Brunswick.

Beal’s impressive skill set and resume helped her land her current job as Public Relations and Marketing Manager at the Greater Fredericton Airport Authority.

“My Co-op experiences really helped build my resume and provide me with some excellent references,” exclaims Beal. “During my interview for my current job I was able to relate my Co-op experiences to the interview questions asked.  In addition, I was required to put together a marketing portfolio, to which some of the material I worked on in my Co-op placements were added. I also had to give a presentation during my interview, so I used that time to talk about Red Tape Reduction in New Brunswick as I had in-depth knowledge of the program.”

Although the job required at least three years of marketing experiences, Beal was offered the job based on her Co-op credentials. Beal’s role as Public Relations and Marketing Manager sees her take on multiple responsibilities, such as promoting the Fredericton International Airport, handling media requests and writing press releases, building and maintaining community relations and enhancing the customer experience.

Beal recognized the value of the Co-op program upon her entry into the BBA program.

“Most students look for summer work for which they are usually paid minimum wage. With the co-op program, I earned and learned more than I would have at a typical student job. I also realized how much it would add to my resume and help me with my interviewing skills.”

With valuable experience behind her and a bright future ahead, Beal encourages students to consider Co-op to give them an edge, and experience, before graduation.

“I recommend that you learn all that you can while in your placement and continue to have a good relationship with those you worked for after your placement is completed,” recommends Beal. “The Co-op program will help build your resume, better prepare you for job interviews, build your contacts for future job opportunities and provide you with real work experience.”