Make your summer count with co-op
Garrett Grubisa, a fifth-year Bachelor of Science in Environmental Chemistry, first learned about co-operative education through on-campus promotions. “I decided to join as I wanted to earn credits while I worked.”
Before spending two summers as a parent canola seed production intern with BASF Agricultural Solutions, Grubisa first started as an Environmental Co-op at Teck Resources in the summer of 2022. Both roles provided unique experiences and outcomes. Grubisa noted that fieldwork and water sampling at Teck Resources and harvesting the seed at the end of the summer at BASF were among his experiential highlights.
“After so much hard teamwork, it was such a satisfying experience.”
Grubisa spent the summers of 2023 and 2024 monitoring the health of the crops as they mature and providing data and recommendations in weekly field inspection reports. He focused on quality control to prevent contamination between genetic seed varieties and ensure the canola is harvested at high yields while providing a pure product for further production. He was particularly excited to develop his plant and weed identification skills by working in the field either at work or by asking his supervisor, Walter Tschetter.
“Co-op has allowed me to apply my in-class learning to real-world problems. I can also reflect on scenarios from the workplace to classroom assignments. The experience has improved my communication skills personally and professionally, in the workplace and the community.”
Grubisa cites his parents, friends, and chemistry professors as supporters throughout his educational journey. He also shares how his co-op supervisors, like Sarah Gibson, were “role models that taught me important lessons in the workplace.”
As co-op coordinator for arts, sciences, natural resource sciences, and a bachelor of interdisciplinary studies student, Gibson noted what makes Grubisa stand out. “Garrett’s professionalism, maturity, kindness, and strong work ethic have been foundational to his impressive achievements. He has followed his passions and strengths to create a successful career path and was awarded the TRU Canadian Society for Chemistry Silver Medal in Environmental Chemistry. What a testament to his excellence.”
In his final semester of this degree, Grubisa hopes to pursue a master’s in chemistry next. He encourages other students to “apply to anything you’re interested in. Co-op is an excellent opportunity to try different employment sectors you may have never been exposed to.” He advises future co-op students to “show up to work excited to learn, ask plenty of questions, and listen to your supervisors’ instructions, and you will succeed.”
Learn more about Career and Experiential Learning programming at tru.ca/cel