My Experience as a Co-op Student with AMO/LAS

By Benjamin Woloschuk
Business Development Intern – LAS AMO

It’s hard to believe how quickly the past few months have flown by. As my co-op term with LAS AMO comes to an end, I have been reflecting on just how valuable and eye-opening this experience has been.

Coming from Wilfrid Laurier University’s BBA Co-op program, I was eager to step into the public sector and apply what I’ve learned in the classroom to real-world challenges. From day one, I was welcomed by a supportive and knowledgeable team that encouraged me to explore different facets of the organization and allowed me to dive headfirst into meaningful projects.

Throughout my term, I had the chance to attend two major municipal conferences. The Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Conference and Northern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) Conference. These conferences offered me a unique window into the world of municipal governance and allowed me to better understand the diverse needs of communities across Ontario. At ROMA, I began to see how my business education could directly contribute to solving public challenges, while NOMA provided insights into the specific issues facing northern municipalities and the innovative ways they are addressing them.

One of the highlights of my internship was having the opportunity to sit in on several ONE Investment board meetings. These sessions were incredibly insightful, giving me a firsthand look at how municipalities manage their investments and how the financial principles I’ve studied at Laurier are put into practice on a broader, community-focused scale. 

A key project I worked on during my term was the development of a KPI dashboard for LAS AMO. This dashboard brought together performance data from across all of our programs into a single, accessible platform in an effort aimed at increasing transparency and enabling better strategic decision-making within the organization.

Another exciting experience was my involvement in the All Risk Municipal Grant. I helped streamline the scoring criteria for judges, which not only improved the application process but also gave me a chance to learn about the innovative, forward-thinking solutions municipalities are implementing to reduce risk and improve safety in their communities.

My internship also offered plenty of networking opportunities. I attended various insurance and risk management events, which gave me deeper exposure to the intersection of insurance, cybersecurity, and municipal operations. I learned about the challenges smaller municipalities face in securing adequate insurance coverage, and how LAS AMO is helping to bridge those gaps with tailored solutions and advocacy.

Working in downtown Toronto with a hybrid setup added to the richness of the experience. I appreciated the flexibility and autonomy my managers provided, always encouraging me to pursue learning opportunities and explore areas that interested me.
Overall, my time at LAS AMO has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for the public sector and developed new skills and perspectives that I’ll carry with me throughout my career. I’m truly grateful to the entire team at LAS AMO for making my last co-op term both impactful and unforgettable.