News Archives: GPRC Work Integrated Learning Leading to Opportunities
Friday, November 30th, 2018
Last summer, Brent Nordhagen found himself calculating and approving risk ratings on operating loans and dealing with exposure up to a million dollars. Nordhagen claimed first prize in an ATB executive case competition and added the title of Manager to an already impressive resume.
Not bad for a Business Administration student – who also happened to be among the top 15 applicants chosen to participate in GPRC’s Work Integrated Learning program.
The 12-week workforce placement, launched last fall, gives business administration students like Nordhagen valuable work experience, a pay cheque, and a network of professional contacts that will come in handy long after they graduate.
For Nordhagen, who was hired by ATB Financial in Lethbridge as an underwriting manager, the experience also provided insight into the real-life challenges faced by banks today. As one of 96 summer students chosen from more than 5,000 applicants across Alberta, Nordhagen not only completed meaningful day-to-day work, but was also grouped into a team and tasked with proposing solutions to business problems.
Topics for the case competition ranged from promoting diversity and inclusion to enhancing digital banking. Nordhagen’s team – which won first place in Edmonton – devised and presented a plan to incorporate arts and culture into ATB’s rural branches through storytelling and commissioning local artists.
“I really have a new appreciation for how group work drives motivation and how valuable it is to have teammates,” says Nordhagen, 22.
“This competition was truly the highlight of my work experience. We visited rural branches, connected with teammates on a regular basis and prepared for this all summer long.”
As a member of the winning team, Nordhagen and his colleagues received a personalized letter of reference from ATB’s CEO and President. But he also has a potential job waiting for him if he wants it. “I was told by the director who hired me that I could definitely give her a call again,” he says.
While Nordhagen is dabbling in marketing and psychology courses at GPRC and serving a second term on the Executive Council as Vice President Social for the Students’ Association of GPRC, he is planning to pursue a marketing degree at the University of Lethbridge. This is in part due to the role his work placement played in helping clarify his career objectives.
“At first, I thought about a project management job, but now I definitely see myself taking on a sales role – whether in an underwriter position or as a relationship manager,” he says.
Only 15 students each year are selected to participate in the program, which provides access to employers such as RBC, BDO Canada, Community Futures, and the Alberta Summer Games. It also includes a series of weekly workshops on topics ranging from conflict resolution in the workplace to acing the job interview process.
To apply, or for more information, contact Carly McLeod at CMcLeod@GPRC.ab.ca