What does your day-to-day look like this summer at your internship with National Bank? 

My day-to-day during my internship honestly changes every day and that’s one of the things I enjoy the most. Some days I’m travelling, other days I’m visiting branches across different regions, and sometimes I can have a full day of meetings. I also spend time doing coaching with employees, analyzing data, and connecting with people across the organization. 

Since the beginning of the internship, I’ve had the opportunity to travel to Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Montreal. During those trips, I visited several branches and regional offices, which gave me a great understanding of how different teams and markets operate.  

One of the most valuable aspects of this experience has been the exposure to senior leadership. I’ve had the opportunity to meet and engage with leaders from across the bank. These conversations provided me with a much deeper understanding of the organization’s broader vision and how strategic decisions are made at the highest level. 

When I’m not travelling, I usually work from the regional office in Moncton, where my days can include analyzing data to identify trends and make recommendations; working on projects related to AI, employee experience, and branch performance; preparing and delivering presentations to managers and senior leaders; doing coaching with employees and shadowing managers to learn different leadership styles; and meeting employees from different divisions. 

I have also had the chance to do some community work during the summer and participate in activities with the bank. We attended a hockey tournament in Montreal with employees from the Atlantic region. I also participated in golf tournaments and volunteered with the bank throughout the summer for fundraising events like United Way’s Day of Caring. 

How did you come up with this idea for your Bell Scholar Internship, which is included in the Bell Scholarship? 

I had already been working at National Bank for the past two years and had genuinely enjoyed my experience. As I progressed in my role, I realized that I was particularly drawn to the coaching and management side of the business. When I learned that the Atlantic Personal Banking Vice President (VP) had been given the responsibility of leading the transition of Canadian Western Bank (CWB) branches to National Bank, I saw it as a unique opportunity to gain exposure to leadership, change management, and large-scale business operations. This experience allowed me to work closely with senior leaders and deepen my understanding of how strategic decisions are implemented across multiple regions. 

To bring this idea to life, I took the initiative to connect with both the Regional Vice President (RVP) and the VP, presenting the concept of a structured internship and following up through multiple discussions and calls. Their openness to supporting this opportunity was also influenced by the strong performance and engagement I had demonstrated since joining the bank. Through these conversations and continued follow-ups, what started as an idea gradually evolved into a concrete internship opportunity, allowing me to gain valuable experiences. 

How has the Bell Scholarship program impacted your experience at Mount Allison so far?  

The Bell Scholarship has allowed me to build strong relationships, with both the Bell committee and the other Bell Scholars. Being surrounded by a group of motivated and driven students created an environment where we could learn from each other, support each other, and grow together. 

It also played a big role in helping me secure my internship with National Bank, which has been a key experience in shaping my career interests and professional development. 

On top of that, I have had the chance to be involved in unique experiences, like presenting the guest speaker during the installation of the 10th Chancellor of Mount Allison. Opportunities like that helped me develop my communication skills and gain confidence speaking in front of larger audiences. 

Overall, the Bell Scholarship program has been much more than financial support, it has given me access to valuable experiences, strong relationships, and opportunities that have significantly shaped both my personal and professional growth. 

What are the most  important  skillsets you will  take away from this internship experience? 

Communication has been one of my most significant areas of growth. Throughout the internship, I had the opportunity to present to managers and senior leaders, lead discussions, and actively contribute in meetings. This experience helped me become more confident, more concise, and more structured when explaining ideas and recommendations. It also reinforced the importance of adapting my communication style depending on the audience. 

Second, I have developed strong data analysis and decision-making skills. I worked with employee surveys, KPIs, and performance data to identify trends and support business decisions. Through this, I learned how to transform complex information into clear, actionable insights that leaders can rely on to make informed decisions. 

Third, I strengthened my technical and digital skills, particularly with tools such as AI, Excel, and Power BI. Using these tools daily improved my efficiency and taught me how to critically assess outputs, especially when leveraging AI to support analysis and projects. This also gave me valuable exposure to how the banking industry is evolving in response to fintech innovations and increasing digitalization, reinforcing the importance of staying agile and technologically proficient. 

Fourth, I developed a strong sense of adaptability and agility. Given that my day-to-day responsibilities constantly evolved, whether traveling, visiting branches, attending meetings, or working on various projects, I learned how to quickly pivot, reprioritize, and remain effective in a dynamic environment. 

Finally, I strengthened my relationship-building skills by connecting with employees at all levels. From branch employees to senior leadership, including the CEO and heads of departments, I learned how to build meaningful relationships, ask insightful questions, and learn from the experience of others. 

Overall, this internship has allowed me to develop a well-rounded set of both soft skills, such as communication, adaptability, and relationship building, and hard skills, including data analysis, digital tools, and strategic thinking. These competencies will be essential as the financial industry continues to evolve, particularly with the growing influence of fintech and technological innovation. 

How has this internship experience helped prepare you for your career path? 

It has given me a much clearer understanding of what a career in banking can look like. The exposure to leadership has played a key role in my development. Being able to interact with senior leaders allowed me to better understand what strong leadership looks like, particularly the importance of communication, vision, and relationship building in driving results and supporting teams. 

This experience also helped me identify areas where I still want to improve, such as continuing to build confidence when speaking in front of senior leaders and larger groups. At the same time, it highlighted the progress I have already made through consistent practice and exposure. 

Overall, this internship helped bridge what I’ve learned in university with real-world application. It not only clarified the type of career path I want to pursue but also strengthened my motivation to continue learning and developing within the banking industry. It reinforced my interest in growing toward roles where I can combine leadership, strategy, and impact, and it has given me the drive to keep building the skills and experiences needed to get there. 

What’s next after Mount Allison? 

After Mount Allison, my goal is to transition into a full-time role within the banking industry, ideally with National Bank, with the objective of pursuing a management path where I can contribute to performance objectives while coaching and developing employees. This internship has confirmed my interest in staying in this environment.  

Overall, after Mount Allison, my objective is not only to continue growing within the bank and take on increasing responsibilities, but also to have a meaningful impact beyond my role. I would like to stay involved in my community, whether through volunteering or serving on boards, and contribute positively to the environment around me. I also hope to give back to Mount Allison by remaining engaged as an ambassador or mentor for future students, sharing my experience and helping others navigate their own career paths. This experience has strengthened both my career direction and my motivation to keep learning, growing, and contributing.