The student perspective: Working in the Cloud Innovation Centre – Nicole Pereyaslavsky

In January 2020, I was hired as one of the first co-op students at the UBC Community Health and Wellbeing Cloud Innovation Centre (CIC) in the role of Project Assistant. As you may expect, 2020 created unexpected challenges for us. We had officially opened on January 27 and were finally getting into a great rhythm at the physical office when we transitioned to working from home, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This was an opportunity for us to learn and adapt our processes quickly.

For the rest of my co-op term with the CIC, I was given multiple opportunities to be the owner of my own projects, challenges, and initiatives (e.g., I was the project lead for a multi-phase challenge called Serratus). My professional confidence dramatically increased and I was able to learn hands-on project management skills, while knowing that I had support and advice from the full-time staff at the CIC. I continued working with the Centre part-time while I completed the last term of my Undergraduate degree. During this time, I planned and hosted the CIC’s first student training event in November.

Reflecting back on my experience, I did not anticipate the professional and personal growth opportunities that the CIC would offer me, and this impacted my career trajectory.  After completing my program in December, I was motivated to start a Business Analysis diploma. 
It was clear from the beginning of my co-op that success for the full-time CIC staff meant student development. Now I have come back to work at the UBC CIC as a full-time staff in a Project Coordinator position. Being surrounded by those that encourage personal growth creates a motivating and innovative environment. I am thrilled that I am now in a position that can support co-op students joining the CIC and give them opportunities to take pride in the work they do.