More Than Just an Internship

During the final semester of their two-year graduate program, most Master of Management students complete a fourmonth internship within their field of study. Don Moore is often the first point of contact with the businesses and organizations that host these interns and has witnessed many exciting situations unfold for these students, many of whom have had their internship lead to full-time positions following graduation.

Students report back on their experiences as part of their program and, out of a desire to tell a few of these stories, Don sat down with a handful of these students to learn more about their specific placements.

Rupinder Kaur from Haryana, India (MM, ’23)

Rupinder’s internship started at the beginning of April 2023 when she was taken on as an Event Coordinator at Lloyd’s of Moncton. When asked what type of work she did during her internship, she shared that she had the opportunity to be involved in administrative support, planning, communication, logistics, creative input, problem-solving, and post-event evaluation.

Wanting to dive into the community aspect of her role, Don asked Rupinder about which part of her job she found herself the most passionate about. Rupinder shared that it was the fact that she was able to create meaningful, memorable experiences for people, saying, “through well-organized events, I can bring communities together, foster connections, and promote positive engagement. My job helps the community by enhancing social interactions, supporting local businesses, and contributing to the overall wellbeing and vibrancy of the area. It's fulfilling to see the impact of my work in building a stronger and more connected community.”

Finally, Don concluded by asking about Crandall and how Rupinder feels her education prepared her for her internship and employment in Canada. She explained, “the Master of Management program equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of Canadian business principles, leadership skills, and effective communication. This academic foundation, combined with practical coursework and networking opportunities helped me in developing problem-solving abilities, project management skills, and the confidence to excel in my internship role. Additionally, the career advice provided by you, Professor Moore, assisted me in securing this internship.”

When she looks back at her time at Crandall, Rupinder thinks fondly of the Graduate Student Society, which helped her build a network of friends when she first moved to Canada.

Sheka Augustine from Hyderabad, India (MM, ’23)

Sitting down with Sheka, Don discussed her role as a summer student at Master Packaging Inc. which she started in April of this year as part of her internship requirement for her degree. Sheka shared that during her internship, her role was vast; “I primarily focused on recruitment, which involved posting job listings, screening applicants, conducting interviews, and selecting candidates for different positions. Additionally, I managed paperwork, organized training for both new and existing employees, and worked with various software tools relevant to these tasks. I also made contributions to occupational health and safety initiatives within the organization and focused on employee engagement activities.”

When asked what she is most passionate about concerning her internship, Sheka stated that being in HR allows her to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives: “by being involved in the recruitment and employee development processes, I help individuals find employment and grow in their careers,” shared Sheka. “This, in turn, contributes to the community by reducing unemployment and fostering personal and professional growth within it. It's rewarding to know that my job plays a role in strengthening the community by supporting individuals in their career journeys.”

To bring the discussion full circle, Sheka was asked to speak on her education at Crandall, and how it helped inform her. Her response was simple: “I have a solid foundation of the appropriate skills and information required for my internship thanks to my studies at Crandall University. I gained the skills I needed to succeed in my internship role and significantly contribute to the business thanks to the coursework and real-world experiences that the Master of Management program provides.”

She then concluded by saying that her favourite part of studying at Crandall was the smaller class sizes which allowed for more individualized contact with very supportive faculty members.

Zahra Mahdavi from Tehran, Iran (MM, ’23)

Zahra commenced her internship this past May. During the first part of her internship, she worked as an Assistant Restaurant Manager at Hilton Hotel restaurant, then she worked as an Assistant Project Manager for Collier Project Leaders for the second part of her internship. Although Zahra worked in two different roles at two different organizations, she felt that both positions required comprehensive management skills, including teamwork, scheduling, and budget management.

Focusing on her second role at Collier Project Leaders, Zahra said that her internship predominantly involved assisting indigenous communities in rebuilding homes and undertaking various construction projects. She is passionate about making a positive impact and values the opportunity to make a difference. To conclude her conversation with Don, Zahra shared that her time at Crandall was instrumental in deepening her understanding of management, adding, “my experiences with distinguished professors like Dr. Seth Crowell (’73) were undoubtedly the highlight of my time at Crandall.”

Shaileja Sharma from Jaipur, India (MM, ’23)

Shaileja began her internship at Oulton College as an HR Coordinator in May 2023. In this role, Shaileja explained that she single-handily performed HR duties for three campuses, including tasks like employee recruitment, performance appraisals, training, administration, and grievance handling.

When Don asked Shaileja what aspect of her internship she was the most passionate about, Shaileja shared a love of human resources, going back to her time in India: “I carry seven years of experience in HR from India. After coming here, I was fortunate to have obtained an internship in my field of study and experience. As an HR Coordinator for Oulton College, I ensured that we provided opportunities to newcomers and existing talents by attending job fairs, and providing training, such as the KAIROS Blanket Exercise to create awareness for First Nations and native people groups.”

When considering how her time at Crandall prepared her for these tasks, Shaileja shared, “the various courses I took throughout my degree helped me understand concepts and theories which are applicable in the professional world. My professors went above and beyond to help me and my peers to understand the culture and work ethics in Canadian organizations.”

Besides knowledge, Shaileja also added that the University works to keep students engaged and connected, which she feels helps international students to settle in well and feel accepted in the Crandall community.

Each of these students' internships evolved into full-time roles at their respective organizations following graduation.