The New Year started with a new agricultural communications partnership between SPARK, the University of Guelph co-operative education office, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Vanessa Perkins, a third-year psychology co-op student from Newmarket, served a co-op term with SPARK in the fall semester. She was a superb student writer, and we were pleased to recommend her for the first SPARK co-op communications intern placement with AAFC’s Ontario regional office in Guelph. This arrangement gives co-op students new opportunities in the federal government, and helps the department connect with potential new employees. We’re looking forward to watching this relationship grow.

The new co-op internship with AAFC follows a visit to the SPARK office and other campus locales in September by the department’s associate deputy minister for communications and consultations, Jodi Redmond.

In the photo below, Vanessa (centre) is pictured with AAFC’ communications staff Debbie Lockerey-Wessel (left) and Margaret Boyd. Thanks to AAFC for the photo.

Vanessa at AAFC