Putting economic development theory into action
Master of Economic Development and Innovation students Ricky Zhao and Kellie Hettinga gained practical professional experience through their capstone internships.
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Effective economic development increases a community’s quality of life and economic prosperity by creating jobs, fostering business growth, supporting tourism and building sustainable prosperity. The Master of Economic Development Innovation Program equips its graduates with the knowledge, tools, and approaches to address contemporary economic development challenges in cities and communities across Canada and internationally. The one-year program ends with a capstone project, which includes the option of completing a four-month internship in the economic development field. This year, four MEDI students undertook an internship, including Ricky Zhao and Kellie Hettinga.
Kellie Hettinga
Hettinga completed her internship with the City of Woodstock within the Economic Development department. Her role as the Economic Development Summer Intern focused on enhancing Woodstock’s developmental landscape. She was responsible for updating industrial and downtown directories and creating website and social media content. Hettinga also had the opportunity to support her supervisors in preparing research briefs for grants, which helped inform decision-making. Hettinga embedded herself within the community by attending and hosting events and workshops for community members, small businesses, and local stakeholders. She was able to see first-hand the profound impact that well-crafted economic policies and initiatives can have on community growth and sustainability.
“The MEDI program provided me with the advanced skills and insights necessary to transition effectively into a more specialized economic development role. Through coursework covering economic policies, innovation ecosystems, and sustainable development strategies, I gained a theoretical foundation that enhanced my practical understanding. The program's emphasis on research and data analysis equipped me with the tools necessary to handle real-world economic development projects confidently.”
After graduation, Hettinga hopes to continue working in the public sector.
Ricky Zhao
Zhao completed his internship at the County of Perth as a Tourism Officer. His role developed and executed marketing campaigns that highlight the region’s attractions. His tasks were varied and included monitoring tourism metrics, collaborating with local government, and managing tourism initiatives. He had the opportunity to be involved in multiple initiatives, including the installation of student-run farm stands, street art projects, and updating the county’s tourism brochure. An essential element of the role was building strong partnerships with local businesses, municipal partners, and tourism organizations. A strong tourism sector ensures the residents of the County of Perth have economic diversification, more local jobs, and support for small businesses.
“The MEDI program provided a strong foundation for what I could expect in my internship role”, says Zhao. “Through the program, I learned key concepts that I applied and demonstrated during my internship. In addition, the MEDI program has provided me with countless academic, professional, and networking resources in support of this journey”.
After completing the MEDI program, Zhao hopes to build off his workplace and education experience and explore the opportunities available within the economic development field.
The MEDI program is creating the next generation of economic development professionals. The capstone internship allows for the unique opportunity to combine academic understanding and professional experience to enhance the caliber of MEDI’s graduates. Zhao and Hettinga were able to put their newly acquired knowledge into practice and see the tangible results of their work. Both MEDI students emphasized the importance of building relationships and interacting with community members, an opportunity that is not available in the classroom. The internship option strengthened their experience, empathy and commitment to community prosperity before they cross the stage at convocation.
