August 28th, 2010

It was only a short year ago when I had made my decision to go back to school at the University of Lethbridge and pursue my second diploma in Human Resources and minor in Social Responsibility. I had only just completed my four year diploma program at the University of Calgary majoring in International Relations; a topic that I was very much passionate about. Upon graduation however, I had decided that I had wanted to incorporate a more business oriented perspective to the way I saw things. This, combined with my natural interest in dealing with people, as well as my confidence in the growing field, had led me to decide that the field of Human Resources would be the perfect route for me to take.

When I was offered my Co-op internship with the Employee Relations department at Teck Coal Cardinal Rivers Operation back in June, I had immediately taken the offer. There was nothing more educational, than hands on experience itself. The fact that I was going to be living in a small town, six hours from home, and work all the way up in the mountains at a mine site, had only made me more curious, and intrigued about the whole idea.

As I am sitting here alone working on this blog, a part of me is unsure, as I wonder what everybody is doing back home in Calgary. Another part of me, however, is also filled with excitement and anticipation. The opportunity to be immersed in an environment where I can gain experience in my field will be both rewarding and challenging. I know that I am prepared to challenge myself as I venture out of my realm of comfort and become vulnerable to unknown tasks and problems. I want to take this opportunity to learn as much as I can as I discover a little more about myself and what my own strengths, weaknesses, and passions are.