By Lisa Taylor

Just when you think you know what to expect, surprises lurk around the corner.

I was certainly surprised recently when our summer interns presented what they had learned in their brief time at Challenge Factory. We’ve hired student interns for a number of years and have developed a program that blends individual student interest with real-time work products. No fetching coffee or making copies for our students.

Instead, our interns run marketing campaigns, conduct research, and create the foundation for works that will eventually be published.

In their final presentations, our interns did share that they felt they had developed key skills this past summer. But, more importantly, they also shared a new sense of career ownership (one of the five drivers shaping the Future of Work).

I beamed as each of them spoke of career confidence, an openness to new options, and an enthusiasm to explore different possibilities. They all commented on the lasting impact of their custom career exploration program. In their own articles, they identify a new awareness for small businesses as employers, a better appreciation of how to marry diverse interests in their work and how an opportunity to work in Canada challenged our Australian student to be independent, bold, and self-sufficient.

Their presentations and reflections are a good reminder that successful careers are about much more than just skills.

Sometimes, our focus on specific skill requirements, development, and attainment overshadows what actually matters most in today’s world of work. We are so proud of our curious, capable, and courageous students and wish them the best of luck as they return to campus in Kingston, Waterloo, and Melbourne!

Be sure to read the reflections by Kelly, Nicole, and Zali about their personal experiences.