Co-op Career Strategists
Dedicated support throughout your Co-op experience
Through the Hari B. Varshney Business Career Centre, all UBC Sauder Co-op students have access to a team of knowledgeable and enthusiastic Co-op Career Strategists to help guide them through their Co-op journey.
This team not only offers support to help you find your Co-op work term, they will work with you during your placements to ensure you get the most out of your work experience. This team also provides personalized 1:1 coaching and advising appointments to help you succeed in your personal and professional development.
Meet your Co-op Team
Phil Seo (He, Him, His)
Associate Director, UBC Sauder Co-op Program | phil.seo@sauder.ubc.ca
About Phil: I’m a proud Sauder Co-op alumnus who enjoyed doing work terms in Ottawa and Vancouver, and exchange studies in Korea. I went on to work for Deloitte Consulting, get my MBA from Berkeley, and then work for Vancity Credit Union. In 2019, I pursued my long-term passion of helping Sauder students and am excited to lead the Co-op Program.
Best piece of career advice Phil ever received: Do your research, but at the end of the day, trust your gut to make big decisions.
Fun fact: I raced on the national reality TV show “The Amazing Race Canada: Heroes Edition”!
Olivia Hauck (She, Her, Hers)
Co-op Career Strategist, UBC Sauder Co-op Program | olivia.hauck@sauder.ubc.ca
About Olivia: I have built my career in higher education over the past eight years at UBC, including more than five years with UBC Sauder, and I’m passionate about supporting students as they explore career paths, experiences, and opportunities through Co-op. My own experience as a student leader continues to shape the way I coach and connect with students. I hold a Bachelor of Arts from UofT, a Master of Education from UBC, and a UBC Certificate in Organizational Coaching. Originally from Ontario, I’m now a Vancouver-based dog mom, runner, traveler, and pasta/pizza enthusiast who values inclusion, accessibility, and building communities rooted in care.
Best piece of career advice Olivia ever received: Careers are rarely linear—they twist, turn, and evolve with experiences, opportunities, and choices along the way. Stay true to yourself and follow your passions—let them guide you.
Fun fact: I ran my first marathon in Paris this year!
Lauren Du Toit (She, Her, Hers)
Co-op Career Strategist, UBC Sauder Co-op Program | lauren.dutoit@sauder.ubc.ca
About Lauren: I have been in Vancouver for the last 13 years; I got a BSc in Earth and Ocean Sciences at UBC and completed the Master of Management program at UBC Sauder, and then chose to stay! My experience spans both the public and private sectors, including healthcare and Tech/IT recruitment, before joining the BCC in 2023. I am passionate about connecting with students, helping them navigate their career paths, and empowering them to make informed decisions about their professional journeys.
Best piece of career advice Lauren ever received: "Be yourself, everyone else is already taken." – Oscar Wilde
Fun fact: I played for the Austrian Softball National Team – and can speak German!
Valencia (Val) Ke (She, Her, Hers)
Co-op Career Strategist, UBC Sauder Co-op Program | val.ke@sauder.ubc.ca
About Val: I received my Bachelor of Commerce, from Smith School of Business at Queen's University, and joined PwC to obtain a CPA upon graduation. I then hopped into program management in data & analytics and strategy & ops, at lululemon and Shopify. Having been through multiple career pivots, I understand what it's like to wonder and sometimes feel lost about your education and career. Over these years, I found myself having more and more after-work calls with students and young professionals seeking career guidance, and grew this into my own career coaching practice. To further amplify my passion for career coaching and creating meaningful impact, I'm now here. I promise to share a mix of real life perspectives with you and to cheer you on as you craft your career journey, on your own terms!
Best piece of career advice Val ever received: Comparison is the shortcut to determine your own value. Don't take the shortcut and let others define who you are.
Michael Rankin (He, Him, His)
Co-op Career Strategist, UBC Sauder Co-op Program | michael.rankin@sauder.ubc.ca
About Michael: I look forward to helping you navigate through all of the challenges and aspects of your journey through the Co-op Program! My passion for coaching undergraduate business students with their professional development and career management is evidenced in over 5 years of career advising and coaching, most recently at SFU’s Beedie School of Business and prior to that at McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management. I completed my BA in Honours Economics at The University of Western Ontario and prior to working in higher education, I spent two years as an Analyst with Merrill Lynch in Toronto and was fortunate to train in New York City at Merrill’s global headquarters.
Best piece of career advice Michael ever received: It might sound cliché, but pursue your passions!
Fun fact: I make home-made food for my English Bulldog, Jack!
How do you book an appointment with a Co-op Career Strategist?
To make a 1:1 appointment with a Co-op Career Strategist, take the following steps:
- Log into COOL using your CWL
- Click on the “Coaching" tab
- Click “Request New Appointment”
- Select the type of coaching appointment you would like to book
- Select "Virtual Coaching Appointment" as your location for virtual appointments or "Business Career Centre" for in-person appointments
- Select "Check Availability"
- Once you select a date and time that works for you, fill in the required fields and click “Submit Request"
Need more instructions on booking appointments?
Download the PDF below: How to Book a Coaching Appointment on COOL
If you have any issues making an appointment or have further questions, contact the Business Career Center at 604.822.6479 or careercentre@sauder.ubc.ca. If you're calling from out of town, our toll-free number is 1.877.777.6479.
How to book coaching & advising appointments on COOL
In this video, we will walk you through the simple steps of finding available Co-op Managers and scheduling appointments with them on the COOL (Career Options On-Line) career platform.
How do Co-op Career Strategists help?
"The Co-op Career Strategists at Sauder provide on-going support in helping students successfully find co-op jobs that align with their interests. As an accounting student going through CPA recruit, my Co-op Career Strategist spent many hours talking with me about the different opportunities in industry and public practice. Thanks to my Co-op Career Strategist for her feedback and advice on my job applications, I have developed greater confidence in searching for my next work term!" - Jason N., Accounting Co-op Student