My CO*OP Journey: A Recipe for Success
By: Samantha Ghanie, C3 Apprentice
Upon graduating I was filled with relief, and wonder! The city had no idea the force that had been unleashed; I was now a woman of the world.
I set out on my own personal journey and returned three months later, an independent world traveler, feeling much like the prodigal daughter
So why did I feel that my potential employers weren’t as excited about the marvelous resource that I could be to their varied organizations? I was experiencing a serious case of cognitive dissonance, was it me?
Or did the job market really not want me? Then why was I reading articles, reports, and hearing industry leaders plead their recruiters to look for diverse talent?
…..and CO*OP filled it. Here’s my CO*OP recipe for success:
2 Great Leaders. Dynamic leaders attract bright talent: Kalani and Francesca are always working for us, and that drives us to do better all around, which reflects a gold standard all around.
Seeds of a Community. Community is built with willing minds: 12 of them to be precise, knowing that you can bring up any topic, your opinions are valued and that stating your job search fatigue or cultural frustrations will be met with advice and empathy instead of derision or dismissal.
That Little Umph. I don’t think the word “lazy” could be applied to a single Cooper, but when we are busy being superhuman it’s far too easy to brush off that email to the side. Sticking together means we push each other, did you finish that excel tutorial? Have you emailed back that recruiter you spoke with? Words of motivation go a long way to easing the college to career transition.
The Final Ingredient. What recipe doesn’t require heat? AKA—drive. Your goals are just that, yours. It’s your drive and fire that takes the ingredients CO*OP gives you and turns it all into the entryway to your career.