In this employer spotlight, we chat with Karla Carerras, Talent Programs Specialist at WillowTree, a TELUS Digital Company. WillowTree is a digital product consultancy that specializes in designing and developing mobile apps, websites, and enterprise software solutions for businesses.
What does your company do?
WillowTree, a TELUS Digital Company, is an award-winning digital product consultancy that specializes in orchestrating winning customer experiences on a global scale. We partner with global and disruptive brands to accelerate their digital initiatives by offering expertise across eight core service areas: Digital Product Consulting, Digital Marketing Services, Data & AI, Strategy Consulting, Business Operations Modernization, Enterprise Applications, Cloud Engineering, and QA & Test Engineering.
With a multidisciplinary team of digital experts across the globe, we work collaboratively to build and deploy innovative solutions for our clients. We excel in developing a wide range of digital products, including mobile apps, websites, voice UI, chatbots, and in-store solutions, while providing end-to-end digital transformation that enhances customer experiences.
What is the culture like at your organization, and how do you support the professional growth of your employees and co-op students?
We've cultivated a vibrant culture that celebrates innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We've intentionally created an environment where every voice matters, where diverse identities are celebrated, and where curiosity drives our work forward.
We support our employees and co-op students through structured multidisciplinary teams that foster cross-collaboration and learning. We pride ourselves on our award-winning summer internship program, which includes our co-op student roles, because it effectively supports and empowers students to make meaningful contributions by bringing fresh perspectives to client projects, working alongside industry professionals, and it incorporates many opportunities to learn and grow through intentional mentorship, workshops, and hands-on client work.
What qualities or skills do you look for when hiring a co-op student?
In addition to technical capabilities, we tend to look for individuals who will thrive in our collaborative environment and are truly looking to learn and grow while they’re with us. We look for students who possess excellent problem-solving skills, are curious, and display a natural inclination for cross-disciplinary collaboration.
We have many different co-op roles spanning software engineering to design to strategy, so the technical skills vary depending on discipline. Software Engineering interns should possess strong computer science fundamentals, particularly in data structures and algorithms, along with proficiency in programming languages. Test Engineering candidates should combine development skills with a passionate interest in testing and a commitment to quality. For Product Design positions, we look for individuals with strong design fundamentals, a comprehensive understanding of the design process, and a portfolio that showcases their full design process for web and mobile interfaces.
Most importantly, we look for students who demonstrate alignment with our core values and show genuine enthusiasm for creating innovative digital solutions.
How do co-op students contribute to your organization?
Co-op students and interns play a vital role in our success by bringing fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to our teams. They work directly on client projects, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams that include engineers, designers, product managers, and other professionals. Through their work, students contribute to real solutions while learning and applying new technologies in a professional environment. The value of our student talent program is evidenced by its role as a primary pipeline for our full-time hiring, with many students returning to join us as full-time employees after graduation.
What advice do you have for students interested in joining your organization?
For students aspiring to join WillowTree, we recommend starting your application process early, as our roles typically open on a rolling basis between September and December. When preparing your application, focus on highlighting projects or experiences that demonstrate both your technical skills and your ability to work collaboratively. Your application should also reflect not only your capabilities but also your passion for technology and innovation. We recommend following our company on LinkedIn and joining our mailing list to stay informed about new opportunities.
