Name: Ben Andrews
Program: Faculty of HK-Kinesiology Movement Science
Placement: Hamilton Tiger Cats @ the CFL
Role: Staff Writer & Social Media Intern
Tell us about your co-op experience.
My job is to produce unique written content for Ticats.ca as well as a Tiger-Cats sponsored game day insert in the Hamilton Spectator. I typically write features focusing on the player's lives outside of football, pieces that focus on Tiger-Cats historical players/events, or football focused content such as game previews and recaps. I also assist in drafting tweets and Facebook/Instagram posts.
By taking part in this job I am building a portfolio of work that will help me when applying to post-graduate studies. I am also learning how to function in an office environment, and take the lead role on group projects under tight deadlines.
Prior to this experience, I was unaware of how to properly conduct oneself in an office. This job allowed me to learn quickly. In terms of practical experience, I have learned how to conduct interviews both over the phone and in person, and I have learned a lot about how to compose short, concise, and engaging written articles.
We asked Ben to share some tips to other co-op students on how to be successful through the co-op process and he said, “Interview with confidence. Show that you care. Always agree to the optional tasks.”
Share a WOW moment from your co-op experience that you will treasure.
There have been many.
I agreed to wear the mascot costume for a community event. When I was asked, I thought I would get to be Stripes, the Tiger-Cats main mascot. Instead, I was demoted to Tiny, an enormous, inflatable costume in the shape of a football player. Tiny was unwieldy, humid, and rancid smelling. The appearance was at a community barbecue, and I figured it would be an easy 50 bucks. I was dead wrong.
I emerged from the tunnel and was met with the screams of delighted children. As the joyful shrieks echoed around inside Tiny's giant inflatable noggin, they transformed into jeering cackles. I was immediately accosted by small frantic bodies. The children threw themselves against me in an excited delirium. They circled me, gaping in wonderment, and shouting nonsense at the top of their lungs. They scurried around the back of the costume and attempted to undo the zipper, refusing to believe that Tiny wasn't actually a living breathing animal.
It was a 90-minute appearance. I will pay for it with years of my life.