FOURTH-YEAR TRINITY WESTERN UNIVERSITY STUDENT APRIL FUNK (’14)says her time spent as an intern for MP Ed Fast in the Department of International Trade—an experience she received as part of TWU’s Laurentian Leadership Centre (LLC)—was hands-on and fast paced. “It was definitely a highlight of my university career,” she says.
Funk’s internship took place during the finalization of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement—one of the largest trade agreements in Canada’s history.
In the weeks following the signing, Funk worked on events and media for the Global Markets Action Plan. “It was a very hectic time in the trade department—the office worked extremely long hours,” Funk recalls. “My job was to help coordinate events, make sure that stakeholders were involved, and ensure different benefits to different sectors were highlighted. It was a huge thing to try to do, especially because we were coordinating across the country.”
On top of her internship, Funk spent two days a week in class at the LLC. “The classes focused on Canadian politics and leadership, which is something the LLC really stands for and emphasizes,” says Funk.
The overall TWU experience has been one that Funk will never forget. “It’s a great school,” she says. The chance to gain work experience while studying at the same time was something she valued.
Although she’ll miss life as a student, Funk looks forward to future possibilities. “The opportunity to work in Ottawa again,” she says, “would be amazing.”
by Shara Lee