Co-op Placement Helps White Oaks SS Student Taha Alsaeed Turn Passion Into Professional Growth

For many students, co-op placements offer an opportunity to explore career interests outside the classroom. For White Oaks SS Grade 12 student Taha Alsaeed, his co-op placement with myBlueprint has become a launchpad for developing real-world skills.

Working virtually with the company’s Special Projects team, Taha spends each day collaborating with professionals on marketing research, event planning, media production and emerging AI tools. He says one of the biggest lessons he has learned throughout the experience is the importance of communication and adaptability in a professional environment.

Taha with Mayor of Mississauga, Carolyn Parrish

“One of the important things I’ve learned is just to communicate clearly,” said Taha. “You can’t assume people know what you’re thinking. Being on the same page saves time and helps everyone work more effectively.”

Each morning begins with a meeting with his supervisor, Damian, to discuss goals and priorities for the day. From there, Taha works independently on projects ranging from outreach and marketing research to podcast production and event support.

Throughout the placement, Taha has gained hands-on experience using AI tools to streamline workflows and improve efficiency. He explained that the co-op has helped him rethink how technology and creativity can work together.

“At first I was very anti-AI because I thought creativity should always come first,” he said. “What I’ve learned is that AI works best as a tool to support creativity, not replace it. It’s about using it to save time on repetitive tasks so you can focus on the work that actually requires creative thinking.”

One of the most impactful aspects of the placement has been the opportunity to produce his own podcast through a “20% philosophy,” which is a professional development initiative that encourages co-op students to spend time working on passion projects to learn new skills.

Through creating his podcast, Rendering Tomorrow, Taha has learned how to conduct professional outreach, schedule interviews, hold industry conversations and build a network of contacts in media and technology fields. 

“Every podcast guest becomes another connection and another opportunity to learn,” he said. “I’ve been able to speak with professionals from companies and industries I never would have had access to otherwise.”

His co-op placement has also provided opportunities to support large-scale events, including the Mayor’s Building Challenge in Mississauga. The event brought together more than 100 students to create architectural models inspired by local buildings and community stories.

A project from the Mayor’s Building Challenge

Taha helped support the planning, promotion and execution of the event and says seeing the final result was incredibly rewarding.

“It was really satisfying seeing the end result of work I helped contribute to,” he said. “Watching students share their creativity and ideas made me realize the impact projects like this can have.”

In addition to technical skills, Taha says the placement has strengthened his understanding of workplace culture and professional collaboration. Through meetings with various teams across the company, he has gained insight into how departments work together to solve problems and develop new ideas.

He also credits the co-op experience with helping him prepare for the future.

“One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that industries are always changing,” he said. “Right now it’s AI, but there will always be something new. You have to stay curious, keep learning and adapt so you don’t fall behind.”

"Every co-op placement is an investment in the future of our communities and our country, says Damian Matheson, Director of Special Projects at myBlueprint. “If we want graduates who are ready to contribute meaningfully to our economy, our workplaces and our neighbourhoods, then employers of every size need to step up and create those first real opportunities for students to learn by doing." 

Taha credits his co-op teacher from White Oaks SS, Rick Pascoe, for the support and assistance he provided throughout the co-op process. Taha encourages other students to take full advantage of co-op opportunities and the connections they create.

“You never know where one conversation or one connection can lead,” he said. “Co-op gives students the chance to build those relationships while they’re still in school.”

He also encourages his peers to “listen to Taylor Swift when she says ‘Never be so kind you forget to be clever, never be so clever you forget to be kind.’”

Through his experience with myBlueprint, Taha has gained far more than workplace experience — he has developed entrepreneurial skills, professional confidence and a clearer vision for his future.