By: Brooke Timpson
It’s that time of the year again and many students are dealing with the end of the semester crunch: projects, papers and employment are at the top of most to-do lists. But for one Algonquin student, college studies are a key part of her summer plans.
While international business management student Adrienne Marshall won’t be in a classroom this summer, she will be using the skills and knowledge she acquired at Algonquin during her internship with the Canadian embassy in Washington, D.C.
“I was a history and poli sci major and that didn’t really help me find a job,” said Marshall, who completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Ottawa.
Marshall will be working on commercial policy and international business development with a focus of cyber security during her four-month internship.
She also gives her one-year program a lot of credit for her successful application.
“When I did my phone interview (the interviewers) were surprised because they had never seen someone with this type of experience who was just out of college.”
“Most of the (other interns) are coming straight out of university,” said Marshall,
“I think I am the only (intern) with university, college and a bit of relevant work experience that I was able to get from my program.”
“My program here at Algonquin requires me to do projects that are almost like an equivalent to a thesis,” said Marshall.
“We’re doing a business plan for a real company and you have to contact them and present them something that a real employee in a paid position would do. It’s a great practical experience.”
This graduate certificate program is partly sponsored by and works closely with the Forum for International Trade Training, a Canadian not-for-profit organization that aims to promote international trade and industry related certification programs.
Ready for whatever the internship might throw at her, Marshall feels prepared and ready to dive into her budding career with her graduate certificate in hand.
“Our classroom (and course work) has been such a great experience. We’re all able to share in experiences and it makes what I’m learning even better.”