The road to success is always under construction

SAF student works for a meaningful cause on a co-op work term

What started out as a volunteer experience in 2017, has ended up becoming one of my most memorable co-op terms. The idea of providing basic life necessities to those in need has always been something I’ve supported in some shape or form. Thankfully, my co-op term with Habitat for Humanity (HFH) Canada has allowed me to get one step closer to achieving this goal. HFH is a not-for-profit organization that brings local communities together and makes them stronger by providing lower-income families with the opportunity to purchase beautiful, affordable homes. I am proud to be part of the HFH team as they have a great mission and share similar values to my own.

As a third-year student at the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF), I was thrilled to discover they were recruiting for someone to join the ReStore venture team as a project analyst located in Fort McMurray, Alberta. ReStores are located across Canada and their primary focus is selling new and slightly used donated household items for a fraction of the retail price. Profits generated by ReStores fund and support local housing projects.

What has kept me engaged in this role is the level of responsibility and exposure that is provided daily while working with individuals of different skillsets and experiences. This uplifts my entrepreneurial spirit as I see strategic opportunities come to life. The main responsibility I have during my co-op term is to prepare a feasibility report and conduct components of the business plan for an online store and store-front location.

I am thankful for the opportunity to support the Fort McMurray community as it has taught me the importance of continually adapting to ensure people’s basics needs are met. Not only did this team and local community face the hardships of COVID-19 like the rest of the world, but they also faced additional challenges from natural disasters such as floods and forest fires. This co-op term gave a deeper meaning to the saying: the road to success is always under construction.