BACKGROUND

This is more informal, and story building. If you are skimming, skip this

Summer 2019 Insanity

LEARNING THE HARD WAY

In the summer of 2019, I planned to secure an engineering co-op but wasn’t able to land one in time. I still needed to support myself through school, so I took on multiple jobs simultaneously to bridge the gap to the next semester. It was a pragmatic decision driven by necessity rather than long-term career alignment.

At one point, I was working early mornings, full days, and late shifts across different roles, while trying to maintain momentum toward an engineering career. The workload was unsustainable, and while I pushed through for a time, the experience highlighted the cost of operating without balance, clarity, or support.

That summer forced a reset. It made me confront my limits, reassess my priorities, and recognize the importance of structure, communication, and accountability—both professionally and personally. The lessons from that period shaped how I approach work today: with clearer boundaries, better planning, and a stronger sense of responsibility to the people and teams I work with.

I got engaged that summer
I went to the gym every day
I worked 12 hours/day for 5 days a week
Woke up at 4 A.M. every weekday

Canadian Tire

Bike Assembler

Loomis Express

Warehouse Associate

Quester Tangent

Mech/Elec Assembler

AML Oceanographic

EARLY PROFESSIONAL EXPOSURE

I joined AML Oceanographic as a Technical Procurement Co-op, supporting the procurement team in tracking components, managing purchase orders, and maintaining supplier communication. The role provided early exposure to how engineering organizations function beyond design, particularly in supply chain coordination, documentation, and cross-department collaboration.

At the time, I was still learning how to balance professional expectations alongside personal challenges, and I did not perform at the level I expected of myself. While the role did not emphasize hands-on engineering work, it surfaced gaps in my habits around consistency, communication, and reliability—areas that are critical in any professional environment.

That experience became an important turning point. It clarified the standards I wanted to hold myself to and reinforced the importance of accountability, transparency, and preparation in professional settings. The lessons from AML directly influenced how I approached subsequent roles, where I focused on ownership, follow-through, and earning trust through consistent execution.

Technical Procurment Co-op

Sept 2018 – Dec 2019

RONA Inc.

FOUNDDATIONS OF WORK ETHIC

I worked at RONA as a Forklift Operator and Lumberyard Attendant while completing high school and the early years of university. The role involved material handling, equipment operation, customer interaction, and maintaining safe, efficient yard operations in a fast-paced retail environment.

This was my first long-term job, and it established the fundamentals that carried into every role that followed: showing up reliably, managing time, working independently, and taking responsibility for outcomes. Over time, I earned additional responsibilities, including forklift certification and increased operational trust, and I left the role with a strong appreciation for consistent effort and professionalism.