Three more Co-op students have completed successful terms at Harmac, and they were brimming with positive comments about their experience here. Their enthusiasm was clear during their project-wrap presentations, where they shared highlights from their four months at the mill with a group of engineers and managers.
Craig Dubyk, Human Resources Superintendent at Nanaimo Forest Products, said he could clearly see how engaged the students were as they delivered their summaries.
Lauren, Process Engineering co-op student
“There’s a lot more that goes on than I expected”, said Lauren, a Process Engineering co-op student, as she described the number of departments she was able to spend time in. “It was nice to be able to work with process engineers, and even other engineers, … to see what the process engineers do on a day to do basis and how busy they are and how much they have to know, and it’s been really interesting and exciting.”
Kaila, a Chemical Technologist co-op student, spoke with enthusiasm about her shift in understanding after four months at the mill. “I didn’t know too much about how a mill ran, and so, yeah, I was very free of expectations,… but it was really cool to learn about the pulp mill and see how much we actually care about the environment here, and it’s not just cut down trees and make pulp.”
Kaila, Chemical Technologist co-op student
“I definitely saw just how innovative pulp mills can be in the direction that they’re heading in. Like with the treatment plan that we have here, and just all of the trials that we’re constantly running to make improvements to the mill, but also, that make us more environmentally friendly, — that was really, really cool to see”.
For Kaila, one of the biggest highlights was the responsibility she was trusted with. “I really enjoyed getting to work on an independent research project. It was nice that there was so much trust from our overheads to just go, ‘here is a project and figure it on your own, we’re here if you have questions’, but yeah, it was nice to have a lot of independence in the lab… it has made me a better researcher, and it’s going to help with research in the future”
Lauren, Process Engineering Co-op Student
Lauren, also, liked how her work in an Industrial lab prepared her for work she will likely be doing when she graduates. She had some advice for future co-op students: “Be confident, you’re timing for your tasks decreases, once you know what you’re doing. “… in the later months because you’ve gotten pretty efficient in what you’re doing”
When asked what he would you tell a student looking to get experience at Harmac, Gavin, an Engineering co-op student, was quick to respond. “I would highly recommend working at Harmac. The mill is so complex, and that’s a good thing, because there are so many different aspects of engineering to look at. You’re never bored because there is always something different.”
Gavin, Engineering Co-op Student
When Gavin spoke about how well his term went, he emphasized that it was the people he got to work with who made the biggest difference. “The Engineering team is very friendly and very helpful. They are very good teachers, and can always answer questions.” They are fun people. Great to be around.”
This sentiment was shared across the board. Kaila spoke glowingly about the Technical team she worked with: “It’s just such an amazing work environment and the people here, really, really made the job.”
Lauren lit up with a smile and agreed wholeheartedly.
The students’ reflections echo a common theme: Harmac not only provides hands-on, real-world technical experience, but also fosters an environment where mentorship, trust, and teamwork thrive. For students, the chance to take on responsibility, explore different departments, and be part of a supportive culture makes the co-op term much more than just a résumé-builder.
Kaila, a Chemical Technologist co-op student (on left) with Jon, Harmac Environmental Technologist (on right)
Harmac continues to offer hands-on, meaningful co-op experiences for students, giving them insight into real-world operations—and the chance to be part of a supportive, forward-thinking team.