September 28th, 2026
By Alex, a WRDSB secondary student
When I first signed up for a summer co-operative education course, I knew immediately that I wanted to be placed at the RoboHub at the University of Waterloo. This co-op placement has been everything that I dreamt it would be as I plunged into a professional field and an ocean of complexity to explore.
I was incredibly lucky to be placed on an independent project, where I get to experiment with the OREO from the Brain Lab, a seven-degree-of-freedom robotic head with cameras modelled to behave like a primate. Nerves of excitement sparked as I read through documentation, watched tutorials, and finally felt brave enough to try my hand at operating the system where I proceeded to make several mistakes. Empathetic and patient, the supervisor emphasized that making mistakes is the drive behind the research process; it’s how we learn, and is oftentimes more important than the final result.
What I’m taking away from this co-op course isn’t just technical skills and a honed independent work ethic; it is also a growth mindset, resilience, and a journey to becoming comfortable with uncertainty.
By Ishani, a WRDSB secondary student
Curiosity can spark an interest, but courage turns it into opportunity.
My co-op journey began long before I entered RoboHub. It started with preparing for interviews, discerning what genuinely interested me, and learning to step into unfamiliar spaces with growing confidence.
Once I began my placement, I was surrounded by innovation. Watching researchers work with drones and autonomous systems showed me how ideas can evolve into technology that solves real-world problems, and it deepened my interest in robotics.
One of the most valuable lessons I learned had little to do with robotics itself. By observing those around me, I came to recognize the practical value of clear communication, perspective, and initiative. I learned that hesitating to ask is often costlier than being wrong.
This experience taught me that growth begins the moment we choose to take that first uncertain step.
By Ahmed, a WRDSB secondary student
Given the tasks and learning opportunities I anticipated as part of my RoboHub co-op placement, I was surprised to find that networking with university students and professors was a highlight of my experience.
While I worked on a robotics-oriented navigation project with a graduate student, there were technical issues that required troubleshooting, which gave us time to talk. I asked a question: ‘How important is the university you attend?’
His answer shifted my focus when researching post-secondary institutions. Moments like these made me realize the value of connecting with others in the workspace.
Looking back, it’s become clearer that the discovery of positive experiences is a theme that will always be present in co-operative education; it will reveal itself in the placement one way or another.
#StudentVoice Series
This article is written by WRDSB students. Student journalists embody WRDSB’s commitment to creating space for students to tell their stories. They are ambassadors for their peers as they share their personal experiences and stories about their schools and communities in their unique voices.
