WIL Student Success Spotlight

Karandeep Jhamat
Program of Study: Construction Engineering Technology, Co-op
Work Placement: D’Orazio Infrastructure Group

Karandeep was hired at the D’Orazio Infrastructure Group from a job lead posted on the Co-op job board. D’Orazio Infrastructure Group is a respected contractor in the water/wastewater and earth-moving sectors of the construction industry.

What Did You Do During Your Co-op Work Term?

I did two co-op placements at D’Orazio Infrastructure Group. This past summer I was a Project Co-ordinator, which involved working with the Project Manager to ensure deliverables for the job were achieved. I helped other Project Co-ordinators develop a schedule for jobs, and occasionally I assisted the Estimator doing take offs for jobs we were bidding on.

What Were Some of the Most Important Things You Learned During Your Co-op Experience?

Working at D’Orazio helped me develop a greater understanding of the construction industry and the hard work involved in completing a job. It helped me develop workplace ethics for the construction industry. My technology skills were enhanced from the exposure I had to different software and applications used such as MS Project, AutoCAD, and Bluebeam.

In addition, I was able to gain knowledge of the labour side and management side of the company. As a Project Co-ordinator I had the opportunity to work with the crew on-site, as well as be part of the meetings with the upper management to discuss next steps for the jobs I was working on.

What Advice Would You Give to Other Students Who Are Thinking About Participating in Co-op?

I would highly recommend all students participate in co-op as it gives you the opportunity to gain real world experience in the career you are planning to pursue. It gives you a head start for when you are done school and searching for a job. You also get the opportunity to explore different roles in the work force.