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Talia Steeves worked as a project assistant with HOST Event and Association Management in Moncton, NB through the Mount Allison University summer internship program. She is in her fourth year and is completing a double major in anthropology and sociology, with a minor in psychology.

1. What exactly were you doing for your summer internship?

This summer I completed an internship as a Project Assistant at HOST Event and Association Management in Moncton, NB. The office plans corporate events and manages daily administrative tasks for smaller associations. The ladies there wear many hats; from graphic to interior designer, from social media manager to food and beverage connoisseur, from being a remote administrative assistant to an on-site contact. Each of these roles is embraced by my coworkers and is fulfilled with an expertise that can fool you into thinking that their current role is their only role. The members of this office are all true hostesses; very kind and welcomed me from the beginning, involving me in most of their projects.

2. What do you hope to take away from this experience?

At the end of the summer I hope to have gained more knowledge of the skills employers are looking for. The summer internship program has helped me identify some workplace competencies that I can improve on during my placement. I focused on applying digital literacy to my responsibilities at HOST this summer and helped build an app for one of our events.

3. What extracurriculars are you involved in on and off campus?

I am a member of the local Toastmasters International group called the Bagtown Babblers. Our group has both students and local community members, and we always have a lot of fun in our meetings! We meet every second and fourth Wednesday of the month. Members can gain designations that are recognized world-wide by completing projects aimed at improving their speaking skills. Our group’s members, both founding ones and new ones, offer so much practical advice in these areas. It is the safest space to get out of your comfort zone and improve on skills that are valuable in all walks of life.

I am also involved with the campus’ InterVarsity group. This is a great network of supportive friends either Christians or who are curious about faith. We get together multiple times throughout the week for Bible Studies, Worship or Prayer Nights and for sleepovers too! We have two weekend retreats each school year where we get to meet InterVarsity groups from other campuses. In recent years we have all gotten together to bake dozens of cookies to pass out on campus during exam week. Hopefully we’ll run into you while you’re studying during the crunch season!

4. What are you most looking forward to next year at Mount Allison?

I’m now in my grad year and am quite excited to be in this stage! I’m not sure what this year holds for me, but I hope that this is the best year of my Mount A career and am excited to see what’s in store for me.

5. What is one piece of advice you would give to your first-year self?

Classes are much better if you talk in them – whether it’s asking your questions out loud or joking with your neighbour before class. I won’t say you’ll enjoy all your classes but talking helps you to feel more at ease in them