Life as a Co-op Student at Flipp
Tags: Company Culture, Management And Leadership, Meet Flipp, Workplace Culture, Learning And Development

Klyde Rivera, Hira Durvesh and Steph Collings

We’re big on both learning and contributing here at Flipp. Culture is core to everything we do and two things we focus heavily on are coaching and fostering an owners’ culture. When it comes to coaching, our team-first attitude allows team members of all levels to share their expertise. Our coaching mindset is also a great way to make sure you are continually learning from those around you. When we talk about an owners’ culture, every team member is encouraged to contribute ideas – from managers to co-op students.

We have a robust co-op program here at Flipp that gives opportunities to over 25 students each term. We’re proud of this program and the students that participate in it. It’s always so interesting to hear their perspective, so we thought we’d ask a few of them to share some thoughts on what the life of a co-op is like #InsideFlipp.

Meet Steph Collings — Continuous Improvement Analyst here at Flipp. She’s currently studying at the University of Waterloo.

What have you learned so far in your co-op experience here at Flipp?

Being a co-op student, you can sometimes feel limited in terms of your contribution since you don’t always have an opportunity to work on bigger projects. At Flipp, I’ve been able to work on big projects as well as other tasks which have really helped me improve my ability to govern myself and not rely on a manager to oversee every single step. Being given these responsibilities has not only increased my confidence but has also given me the opportunity to show my team I can be trusted with tasks that are handed to me.

What made you choose Flipp for your co-op term?

Having completed three co-op terms at large corporate organizations, and one co-op term at a web development start-up in Business Development, I really wanted to try something new. I was already familiar with Flipp as my friends and I use the app to find deals on groceries during school terms in Waterloo. Additionally, I knew a couple of students who had worked at Flipp for their co-op terms, so I got to hear about their experience. Something that came up a lot was how great the company culture is. Getting the opportunity to work for an organization with an established sense of work culture is very important to me.

Whether you’re heading back to school or heading into a new role at another company, what will you take with you from your time here at Flipp?

Next term I’ll be working for Rangle.io as a Business Development and Operations Analyst, and I’m eager to take with me what I have been able to develop during my short time here at Flipp. Not being afraid to ask questions, getting involved, setting goals and priorities for myself, and establishing connections with colleagues are just a few things that have made a big impact on making this co-op term a valuable one. I’m looking forward to continuing to work on my professional and personal growth during the rest of my time here.

Meet Hira Durvesh — Operations Intern here at Flipp. She’s currently studying at University of Toronto Scarborough.

What have you learned so far in your co-op experience here at Flipp?

My experience at Flipp so far has been spectacular and with so many unique firsts; whether it was running a meeting or going to Friday Lunch and meeting someone new every week. I have learned how easy it is to ask for help because everyone is willing to teach you something new. The transparency and ease of being able to communicate with virtually anyone who works at Flipp is what makes it such a collaborative place to work.

What made you choose Flipp for your co-op term?

I chose Flipp because of the culture they foster at the company, which was easy to spot even before I started my role here. Working here now, I can vouch for it because the people I work with are always open to new ideas and willing to lend a hand. I know for one that any idea at Flipp, no matter who it comes from, carries weight. Everyone has the chance to grow.

Whether you’re heading back to school or heading into a new role at another company, what will you take with you from your time here at Flipp?

Flipp’s core values of being humble, hungry and highly intelligent have pushed me to be curious, ask questions, and seek out new connections to build lasting relationships. These core attributes have pushed me outside of my comfort zone and towards an unforgettable experience. The skills and experiences I have built have made me more confident and I can see myself improving tremendously as I have the chance to explore my strengths outside the typical classroom environment.

Meet Klyde Rivera — Customer Experience Intern here at Flipp. He is currently studying at the University of Waterloo.

What have you learned so far in your co-op experience here at Flipp?

All. The. Things. From HTML (I had never coded a day in my life until I got to Flipp) to crafting the perfect response to a user’s feedback. But, if I could pick one thing, I think the most important thing I’ve learned would be the importance of workplace culture within a business. My previous co-op placements didn’t place as much emphasis on workplace culture, and the investment that Flipp puts into this aspect of the company definitely shows.

What made you choose Flipp for your co-op term?

I heard from a friend at school that the culture at Flipp was incomparable to other co-op placements — and she was right. I also wanted to take full advantage of the Waterloo Co-Op experience by exploring as many different industries as possible, with the ultimate goal of diversifying my resume by the time I graduate.

Whether you’re heading back to school or heading into a new role at another company, what will you take with you from your time here at Flipp?

Aside from all the memories I’ve made with my fellow CX co-ops and full timers (that’s cliche, but they’re all amazing), my team has taught me how to approach problems in a creative and empathetic way, and I think that is definitely something worth carrying into my next placement and my career.