Laurier co-op student wins workplace award for 'beyond-level service'
Meet Hilal Safi, a driven and inspiring Honours Computer Science student in the Professional Experience Program (PEP) at Wilfrid Laurier University, whose co-op workplace has honoured him with an award typically reserved for full-time employees.
Safi’s colleagues at the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev) nominated him for the President’s Award for his contributions to client services and agency improvement during his co-op term.
Like many students, Safi was unsure about his future during his early high school years. A Grade 12 presentation from Laurier sparked something in him, and he decided to pursue his passions for technology and coding.
“The presentation was captivating,” Safi recalls. “I loved the student life Laurier offered, and Waterloo’s reputation as a tech hub made it the perfect place for me.”
Initially drawn to Computer Science, Safi made a pivotal decision in his third year to participate in Laurier's PEP, which offers a unique 12–16-month work term.
“I always wanted to do co-op,” Safi says. “My Grade 12 teacher promoted it, and I was attracted to the longer work term. It gave me the chance to work on complex projects, build meaningful connections, and truly immerse myself in a professional environment.”
In spring 2023, Safi embarked on a 16-month co-op work term with the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. Though working in government hadn’t initially crossed his mind, the agency’s proximity to campus and the opportunity to work on large scale, complex projects spanning many months as well as many smaller scale assignments piqued his interest.
“I did my research and found that the smaller size of FedDev allowed me to take on significant responsibilities,” Safi says. “I got the opportunity to meet everyone in the office and provide support to managers and executives, which provided great networking opportunities.”
As an IT Analyst, Safi provided hands-on technical support and used Amazon Web Services (AWS) to manage cloud environments. He also developed a streamlined employee onboarding system by consolidating multiple forms and improved the asset management process.
Safi’s dedication and innovative solutions did not go unnoticed. In 2024, he was nominated for and won the President’s Award at FedDev, an honour typically reserved for full-time employees.
“Hilal made a difference,” says Lenny Walker, his team leader. “He provided beyond-level service at the help desk, always ensuring that people were taken care of. He’s thoughtful, bright, efficient, and incredibly capable.”
The award ceremony took place during National Public Service Appreciation Week in June, with the Deputy Minister attending in person at FedDev’s Waterloo headquarters.
With his co-op term now complete, Safi has returned to the classroom to finish his studies. As he looks toward the future, he’s exploring opportunities in the federal government’s Bridging Program, which could lead to a permanent position, while also considering roles in the private sector.
“I’ve learned so much about IT, cloud computing through AWS, and learned from my peers, and I’m excited to see where these skills take me,” Safi says. “The experience at FedDev has been invaluable, and I’m grateful for the incredible team I worked with.”
Even after completing his co-op term, Safi continues to contribute to Laurier’s co-op community. This fall, he was invited to serve as a Co-op Student Ambassador, sharing his experiences and helping other students take advantage of Laurier’s many co-op programs. He helps students with resumes, cover letters, applications, interview preparation, job searches and more.
“Co-op is a game-changer,” Safi says. “It provides real-world experience, helps you build a professional network, and gives you a clearer sense of your career path. I have met many wonderful people, and Laurier’s co-op team is incredibly supportive.”
Safi’s journey from a curious high school student to a recognized leader at FedDev showcases the transformative power of co-op education. He is a testament to the opportunities available through Laurier’s co-op programs and a shining example of the impact students can make when given the chance.
About Co-operative Education at Laurier
Laurier offers co-op programming in more than 40 undergraduate and graduate programs in arts and science, among other disciplines, including the largest business degree co-op program in Canada. Co-op is available year-round, with students beginning work in January, May or September, and can last from four to 16 months. Visit wlu.ca/co-op for more information or email lauriercoop@wlu.ca.