{"id":75637,"date":"2020-09-03T13:48:00","date_gmt":"2020-09-03T13:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/interac1.wpengine.com\/content\/%content-category%\/interac-up-close-our-summer-interns\/"},"modified":"2025-05-30T18:24:50","modified_gmt":"2025-05-30T22:24:50","slug":"interac-up-close-our-summer-interns","status":"publish","type":"content","link":"https:\/\/www.interac.ca\/en\/content\/working-at-interac\/interac-up-close-our-summer-interns\/","title":{"rendered":"Interac up close &#8211; our summer interns"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Over 29 million Canadians depend on<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;Interac<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;solutions every day to move their money safely and securely.&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We\u2019re<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;a small but mighty team of 350+ employees and each of us plays a critical role in ensuring we deliver our best for Canadians.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":259}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Interac Up Close series gives you an inside look into what working at Interac is like and this week,&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">we\u2019re<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;featuring three of our summer interns. Riley,&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Stephanie,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;and Amy support our&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Innovation<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Labs <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&amp; New Ventures<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">team and work cross<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">collaboratively&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">with others across the organization&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">to explore new emerging technologies that we can use to enhance&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the Canadian digital economy.&nbsp;<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":259}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/454126288\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We sat down with them to learn more about&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">their<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;experience at Interac<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, what they learned along the way<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;and&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">their goals for the future<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">H<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ere\u2019s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;what they had to say.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":259}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What&nbsp;<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">are<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;your name<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">s<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;and job<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">s<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":259}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Amy:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">My name is Amy Zhang and I currently work on the&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Interac&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Innovation&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Lab team<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;at Communitech<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">as a co-op developer.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":259}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Stephanie:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I\u2019m<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;Stephanie Porfiris and I work as an intern on the Strategy and Emerging Solutions Delivery team.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":259}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Riley:<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">My name is Riley&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ambrose,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;and I am also an<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;intern on the Strategy and Emerging Solutions Delivery team<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. This is&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">actually my<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;second summer working for Interac<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":259}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What are you studying at school?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":259}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Stephanie:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I\u2019ll<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;be starting my first year at&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Rotman<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;Commerce<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, the&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">University of Toronto\u2019s business school<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">in September. I&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">won\u2019t<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;have to declare a specialty this year, but as of right now<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I\u2019m leaning towards a focus in management.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":259}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Riley:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I am going into my second year at Trent University Durham where&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I\u2019m<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;majoring in Business Administration and minoring in Philosophy. This is the third major<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;and&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">minor combination&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I\u2019ve<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">done<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;so far, and it may not be the last!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":257}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Amy:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">After this work term,&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I\u2019ll<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;be returning for my final year at Guelph University<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;where<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I\u2019m&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">complet<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ing<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;a Bachelor of Computing<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I\u2019m<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;hoping&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">to<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;major in Computer Science<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;and minor<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;in Business.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":259}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What&nbsp;<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">inspired you to want to work at Interac?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":259}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Riley:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I\u2019ve<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;wanted to work at Interac in some capacity since before high school. My grandfather ha<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">d<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;done work for Interac in the past, so&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I\u2019ve<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;been exposed to what the company is all about since I was 13. In grade 9, I came to the Interac office as part of the \u201ctake-your-kid-to-work day\u201d program and I became even more fascinated with the company and the culture. Now&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I\u2019m<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;here, in my second internship with the company!&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It\u2019s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">amazing<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;how things unfold.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":259}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Stephanie:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Interac is a unique company that operates with the agility of a start-up but has the scope and reach of a traditional corporation. This combination was attractive to me because it offers a variety of potential career opportunities down the line.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":257}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Amy:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Interac is a household&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">name<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;for&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">me,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;and the job title was everything I was looking for in a final co-op experience. I was drawn to the idea of being able to create and work on new&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">solutions and be part of change and innovation<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It\u2019s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;also<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;a<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;step slightly out of a pure programming role<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;which I appreciate.&nbsp;<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":259}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What does a typical day&nbsp;<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">for an intern look like at Interac?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":259}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Amy:&nbsp;<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Depending on the projects the team is working on, my day is composed of a couple of meetings, research, development, occasional working sessions<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;or presentations\/design tasks. We get a lot of space to work on our deliverables which is awesome. The team also encourages us to ask for support if we ever need it and&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">it\u2019s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;a good balance of letting us make our own discoveries while having the safety net of the lab\u2019s support to back us up.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":257}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Stephanie:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I spend some time getting organized, divvying up my day between meetings and tasks, and then hop online for a quick team sync. We brief each other on our plans for the day, ask for feedback and clarification, and then split up and start working through our timetables.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":259}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Riley:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A typical day&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">for me<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> starts off with a team meeting at 9 AM. After that, our days can range from having a lot of meetings with managers or other people in the company to having almost no meetings and just buckling down to complete a project.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":259}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What is something you learned about FinTech during your internship at Interac?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":259}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Amy:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">During my internship,&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I\u2019ve<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;learned that FinTech is much more than just moving money around<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">dvances in FinTech can really change the way we interact in other aspects of our lives!&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It\u2019s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;not just a new banking app or a new way to transfer money, but it can mean lowering barriers and increasing ease-of-access to financial services. The world of FinTech has a lot to offer and my internship has really broadened my lens of the possibilities that are out there.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":259}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Riley:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">One thing&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I\u2019ve<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;learned a ton about is Consumer Directed Finance and the various problems that the industry faces when dealing with such concepts. Another big thing&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I\u2019ve<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;learned a lot about is the relationship between FinTech companies like Interac and the big banks.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":257}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Stephanie:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As a former TKS student,&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I\u2019ve<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;been exposed to emerging technologies for a few years, but I was still surprised by how far some of Interac\u2019s initiatives have progressed. I assumed payments innovation solutions were still in the research and development phase, but many have either already been executed or are pending release soon.&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We\u2019re<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;closer to the future promised in science fiction than we think!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":259}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What is something you learned about yourself during your internship?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":259}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Riley:&nbsp;<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I learned a lot about how I operate in this remote-working world. However, the biggest thing I learned about myself is how far I have come as a professional and a person since last summer. I came into last summer\u2019s internship feeling like a&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2018<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">hot-shot<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2019<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> intern who was going to take over the world, but I was met with the harsh reality that I had so much room to grow. After a lot of growth during that internship, and a lot of growth during my first year of university as well, I have discovered that I have a lot more confidence in my abilities as a contributor and as a leader, and it isn\u2019t based solely on academic achievements and my ego.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":257}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Stephanie:&nbsp;<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Working from home has thrown a wrench in everyone\u2019s plans, so I knew I had to start from scratch and build a routine that works for me. I needed a way to differentiate work from play, even if both activities were sharing a physical space.&nbsp;<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":259}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Creating a set of rules to implement during \u201cwork time\u201d &#8211; including distancing myself from my phone, limiting interruptions from my family, and dressing like I was going into the office every day \u2013 has been incredibly valuable and taught me a lot about my productivity styles and preferences.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":259}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Amy:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;One thing that&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I\u2019ve<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;learned from this experience is that the team I work with and company culture is something I&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">really<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;value. I started my work term in January, so&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">during<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> this internship,&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I\u2019ve<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;gone from working in person with the lab team in Kitchener to working remotely from home. My team has made this transition much less stressful for me and&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">it\u2019s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;been so important for me personally to have their support. Despite not being able to see the team in person&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">every day<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, they make sure to check in with us students and keep us on track.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":259}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What have you enjoyed the most about your experience at Interac?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":259}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Stephanie:&nbsp;<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Although we are working from home, the camaraderie among my team members is palpable. We actively spend time learning and joking about each other\u2019s lives and are intentional about creating a strong, welcoming team culture.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":257}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Amy:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">My favourite thing about being an intern at Interac has&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">been&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">learning new skills while exploring new topics. I entered this position expecting to develop, maybe do some research on the side. At the tail end of 8 months,&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I\u2019ve<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;now brainstormed, ran design thinking sessions, collaborated with multiple departments, learned design skills and accompanying software skills, and all on top of the research and development I expected to do. Every day feels like a new challenge, and I feel like Interac has really nurtured that growth.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":259}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Riley:&nbsp;<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">By far, the part of this experience I enjoyed most was meeting and working with fantastic people. My fellow interns, our managers, the lab team, and literally everyone else that I have had the opportunity to meet this summer have been absolute gems.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":259}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What is your dream job<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":259}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Amy:&nbsp;<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I\u2019d<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> like to combine my technical and communication skills, and work on things that matter. I love the collaboration that comes from working with a team and I\u2019d like to leverage the technical skills that I\u2019ve picked up along the way to create awesome products that help people address issues in their lives.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":257}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Riley:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">My dream job is to be a Member of Provincial Parliament, otherwise known as an MPP. Over the course of my life,&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I\u2019ve<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;wanted to be many&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">things,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;but my passion<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">has always been politics.&nbsp;<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":259}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Stephanie:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I am incredibly interested in marketing, branding, and storytelling, and<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;I<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;am planning to direct my attention to those disciplines at&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Rotman<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;Commerce. My dream job would involve living abroad and working as a marketer at a fast-moving, innovative company selling a product or service I personally believe in.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":259}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What advice would you give to other students who may be considering an internship?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":259}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Riley:&nbsp;<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Definitely do<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;it! This is one of the best ways I can think of to jump-start your career! I learned so much from my managers and the TKS interns I worked with, and I will likely utilize all those learnings in my career.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":257}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Amy:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">An internship is a chance to learn and grow, and&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">it\u2019s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;all really what you make of it. Make sure&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">you\u2019re<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;taking advantage of the opportunities afforded to you and keep an open mind! This is your chance to try new things, learn new skills, and make new connections.&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It\u2019ll<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;be scary, but ultimately very rewarding to push yourself out of your comfort zone. Also,&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">it\u2019s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;okay to fail sometimes. Failure is a learning experience, and&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">it\u2019s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;important to learn from any mistakes you make.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":259}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Stephanie:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Don\u2019t<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;underestimate the importance of soft skills. Being a remarkable communicator, public speaker, and deck-builder will serve you well<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">especially in an entry-level role.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\" 201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":259}\"=\"\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Over 29 million Canadians depend on&nbsp;Interac&nbsp;solutions every day to move their money safely and securely.&nbsp;We\u2019re&nbsp;a small but mighty team of 350+ employees and each of us plays a critical role in ensuring we deliver our best for Canadians.&nbsp; The Interac Up Close series gives you an inside look into what working at Interac is like&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":75638,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"content-tags":[958],"content-category":[956],"spokespeople":[],"in_the_know_post_format":[169],"class_list":["post-75637","content","type-content","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","content-tags-culture-community","content-category-working-at-interac","in_the_know_post_format-article"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.2 (Yoast SEO v27.2) - 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