Sheridan’s Co‑op on the EDGE (COTE) program continues to redefine work‑integrated learning by placing students inside real entrepreneurial environments where their contributions directly influence emerging ventures. Instead of traditional placements, students collaborate with founders, apply academic knowledge to real challenges, and strengthen professional skills through hands‑on project work and entrepreneurial programming that encourages problem‑solving, opportunity‑spotting, and strategic thinking.
For Maryam Hussein, a BBA Supply Chain Management student in the Pilon School of Business, COTE offered the chance to take on a research‑driven role with Rajbir Kaur Achoriwala, founder of BiteWise Canada Inc. The venture is developing a professional program to support newcomers and mid‑level professionals entering the cybersecurity field, with a focus on job search readiness, communication skills, and confidence‑building.
Maryam’s work laid the foundation for the program’s development. She conducted a market analysis of existing offerings, mapped potential collaborators, benchmarked competitor programs, drafted early curriculum concepts, and assessed feasibility considerations such as delivery models and resource needs. Throughout the project, she strengthened her ability to communicate professionally, noting that she learned to structure research clearly, write concise updates, and present findings in a systematic way. “Professional communication was one of the most important skills I had to acquire,” she explains. “This experience helped me organize information effectively and express ideas with clarity.”
COTE helped me feel more confident about my future prospects in the industry. It taught me how to spot gaps, structure information, and turn research into practical suggestions.
Rajbir calls Maryam a dedicated, thoughtful, and high‑performing collaborator who consistently delivered strong work. She says Maryam quickly became a reliable contributor and rated the experience a five out of five, adding that she would happily bring Maryam onto her team if the opportunity arose.
Reflecting on her experience, Maryam says COTE helped her gain confidence in her ability to contribute to real projects while strengthening her research, adaptability, and problem‑solving skills. She also learned how entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial thinking can be applied in professional settings. “COTE helped me feel more confident about my future prospects in the industry,” she says. “It taught me how to spot gaps, structure information, and turn research into practical suggestions.”
Maryam’s experience demonstrates how COTE supports both student development and employer innovation. By connecting students with founders and offering entrepreneurial programming that builds confidence and capability, COTE prepares learners to enter the workforce with the skills and mindset needed to make meaningful contributions from day one.
Interested in learning more about how to get involved as an entrepreneur or student in the Co-op on the EDGE program? Write to edge.students@sheridancollege.ca. Explore more about Co-op on the EDGE or read another student success story.