Meet Siya D.

"Over the summer, I did a 4 month Arts Work Experience (AWE) co-op with The City of Edmonton. What began as a Communications & Engagement Internship eventually evolved into a Business Planning & Performance Internship with the Department of Strategy. How did the shift happen, you may ask? The Chief Communications Officer from The City of Edmonton, was the one who had interviewed me and knew that I was interested in exploring consulting after graduation, so she offered me this opportunity during the final month of my co-op! 

Never steer away from asking questions! It’s perfectly okay to be uncertain about completing a task— that’s why you’re there: to learn and embrace new opportunities. And never shy away from learning something new. The best part of an internship is the chance to dive into as many projects as your employer can offer. It helps you discover where your true potential lies.

The driving force behind me is caffeine– you’ll probably always find me on campus with an iced latte in my hand. In my free time I’m usually at the gym,  swimming, or exploring new restaurants in Edmonton!

As an international student, I knew that gaining Canadian work experience would be an asset to future employers because it shows that you’re adaptable to different working environments. This co-op particularly instilled a new found confidence in me because of the feedback and encouragement I received from my supervisors and colleagues! It can definitely be daunting when you don’t hear back from employers, but don’t let that discourage you. As long as you’re putting in the work, the right opportunity will find you."

Siya Dugar is an international student from Indi heading into her final uear. She is double majoring in Economics and media studies