Co-op Student of the Year: Gurpreet Singh’s journey from classroom to campus IT

When Gurpreet Singh walked into the president’s office during his co-op placement with UFV IT Services, he realized that he had reached a new level in his career development. As part of the Client Support team, Gurpreet visited offices across campus to diagnose and resolve technical issues. The president’s office was just one stop on the day’s list, but it marked a moment when he realized something had changed. 

“I wasn’t there just to observe,” he recalls. “I was there to fix the problem. When you solve it and someone knows they can rely on you, it’s a good feeling.” 

Months later, Gurpreet was named UFV’s 2025 Co-op Student of the Year, a leadership award funded by the Centre for Experiential and Career Education (CECE).  

“When I started my co-op, I didn’t even know this was something a student could receive,” Gurpreet says. “It wasn’t the reason I was doing the work, but when I received it, I was really happy.” 

For him, the recognition represents one meaningful milestone among many during his time at UFV. 

“It’s something I can be proud of,” he said. “One of the experiences from my time at UFV that I’ll remember long after I graduate.” 

A student in the Bachelor of Computer Information Systems program, Gurpreet completed two co-op terms with UFV IT Services as a Tier 2 IT support technician. In the classroom, he studied end-user support, ticketing systems, and IT infrastructure. In the workplace, those lessons became real. 

“In the classroom it was more theoretical,” he says. “But when I went to the onsite role and got to see how things actually work, it felt like two completely different worlds.” 

Instead of simulated exercises, Gurpreet was working within the university’s live IT systems, where his work directly supported the campus community. 

“This was the real system people rely on every day,” he explains. “If I switched the wrong thing off, it could cascade and everything could shut down.” 

That responsibility accelerated both his growth and the trust his team placed in him. Early in his placement, more experienced staff handled the most complex issues. Gradually, as he demonstrated consistency and initiative, that began to change. 

“Over time, the team trusted me with more complex issues because they knew I could handle them.” 

His growth didn’t go unnoticed by the team. 

Melania Popescu, Gurpreet’s supervisor and Client Support team lead in UFV’s IT Services, describes him as a reliable and adaptable contributor who quickly built trust within the team. 

“Gurpreet was an excellent addition to the Client Support team,” Melania says. “He demonstrated a strong ability to diagnose and resolve hardware and software issues efficiently, ensuring minimal downtime for employees and students. His communication skills made him approachable and reliable, and his eagerness to learn and adapt contributed positively to our IT operations.” 

A big part of that growth came from the environment he stepped into. 

“In any job that you go to, the one thing that you look for is the working environment, which I love at UFV,” Gurpreet says. “The employees don’t treat you as the usual stereotypical intern. They take the time to help you learn new skills.” 

As he became more comfortable in the role, that support allowed him to contribute more meaningfully to the team’s work. 

When Gurpreet returned to class after his co-op terms, he approached his studies differently. He began connecting what he was learning in the classroom to situations he had already encountered during his placement. 

“You start recognizing how theory connects to real situations,” he said. “That’s when your perspective shifts — you take the material more seriously.” 

Experiences like Gurpreet’s reflect the broader value of co-op for students and employers. 

“Hands-on experience is essential in IT support roles,” Melania explains. “Students refine their diagnostic thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills by working directly with real systems and users — skills that can’t be fully developed in a classroom alone.” 

For Gurpreet, co-op did more than strengthen his technical skills, it clarified his direction. While IT support provided a strong foundation, the experience also encouraged him to look ahead, particularly toward cybersecurity, a field he sees becoming increasingly important in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. 

“I wanted to explore something more niche,” he said. “Cybersecurity is something that is in rising demand.” 

Gurpreet’s path to co-op didn’t happen overnight. It took months of applications, persistence, and patience before he secured his first placement. 

“It took me eight months to get a co-op,” he said. “Don’t lose patience when you get those rejection emails. Utilize all the resources you have on hand.” 

Looking back, he encourages students to apply early, ask questions, and stay open to learning in new environments. 

“Be open to changing what you already have in your mind,” he said. “Take your time to gain the trust of the people you’re working with. Don’t hesitate to ask.” 

“Some lessons have to be experienced before they can be understood.” 

For Gurpreet, co-op was more than an option within his degree. It was where classroom theory met real responsibility. 

And somewhere between troubleshooting support tickets and visiting offices across campus — including that call to the president’s office — Gurpreet realized he wasn’t just learning the job anymore. He was already doing it. 

“The reflections shared by Gurpreet and his employer, UFV’s IT Services, are exactly what we aim for in the co-op experience”, says Candace Stewart-Smith, director of CECE, whose office coordinates UFV’s Co-operative Education program. She encourages eligible students to apply to co-op to enhance their career readiness, while employers gain fresh insights into their work, build capacity, and mentor future professionals in the field. 

Interested in co-op opportunities? 

The Centre for Experiential and Career Education (CECE) supports students throughout the co-op process—from preparing for the workforce and navigating the job search process to placement and reflection after completing a work term . Explore how co-op can help bridge the gap between classroom learning and the application of your knowledge, skills, and abilities that you can contribute to the mission and vision of an organization.