Every co-op work term is a stepping stone. For Lilian Altajjar, one summer at Habitat for Humanity led her to the Canadian Red Cross and closer to the kind of career she wants to build. 

Altajjar was part of the first cohort in the Social Sciences co-op stream. Stepping into a new program, she wasn’t sure what to expect.

Like the real world, the process was competitive. She applied to dozens of positions and heard back from only a few employers. She persisted, and in Summer 2024, Altajjar landed a role at Habitat for Humanity. Working as a Volunteer Services Coordinator, she spent a co-op term helping the nonprofit’s volunteer activities. 

That hard work paid off when Altajjar secured her next co-op position with the Canadian Red Cross. There, she joined the Financially Assisted Social Prescribing Team, part of a five-year project aimed at putting funding and resources back into Hamilton communities.

Hands-on work

Social prescribing is non-clinical support which connects individuals and families, often newcomers or marginalized groups, with local organizations. The initiative is grounded in research into life expectancy in Hamilton, which shows certain wards face disadvantages due to financial barriers. The team hopes to help close those gaps.

Altajjar’s role was wide-ranging, filling in wherever needed. “As with most non-profit work, there’s not enough money, too many people who need support, and not enough hands to help,” she said. 

“At my first event, I was meeting people in the community and other organizations doing similar work,” she said. “This is their livelihood, it’s personal, it’s not just a job.”

She recalls stories that left a lasting impact. “There was one girl, who was maybe 10. Her family was financially strained, and she’d been diagnosed with a rare condition. The only treatment was experimental and in the United States,” she said. “There are so many stories like that.”

The experience at both the Canadian Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity reaffirmed her passion for non-profit work. 

“I don’t want a desk job. I want to give back and be involved,” she said. “Having this co-op opportunity reaffirmed my long-term goals. I want to seek out work that has an impact on the community.”

Co-op for all

Looking back on three years in the Economics co-op program, Altajjar credits the Careers and Experiential Education team for their support. “They were doing everything except applying for us,” she said, recalling interview practice and resume help. “You can push a bird, but you can’t make them fly. It’s better for us as students that they don’t place us.”

Her advice for future co-op students? “It’s hard, and you can’t take it personally, but it’s worth it. Once you have that one job, it makes everything worth it.”

With her co-op experiences, Altajjar has been able to see the impact an extra pair of hands can help. “You really can accomplish meaningful action when you reach out and ask for support.”

Looking forward

But Altajjar hasn’t finished yet. She’s already lined up her next role for Summer 2026, as an Employer Surveyor for the City of Hamilton’s Planning and Economic Development department. 

There, she’ll be part of a team administering the 2026 Employment Survey which will shape the city’s long-term planning and development work. 

And for Altajjar, it’s another opportunity to build her skills before she graduates next year. 

“All of the skills and experience that I’ve gained on co-op lead to better and better opportunities,” said Altajjar. “Especially given the current job market, these opportunities make me feel more confident about finding meaningful work after I graduate.” 

Interested in co-op? Have a look at the Faculty of Social Sciences’ co-op page or connect with the Careers and Experiential Education team.