Meet the 2024 Calgary Chamber interns

Meet Hyder, Luke, Rutendo, Saher and Thania: our incredible group of interns helping out in every corner of our organization.

This year’s group of interns—with a diverse range of educational backgrounds and future career aspirations—will be helping us throughout the summer. We are proud to support early-career talent here at the Calgary Chamber, to help launch the careers of some of the city’s best and brightest.

Our 2024 interns:

Hyder, Business Technology and Data Analytics Intern | Final year, Business Technology Management, University of Calgary

Luke, Junior Database Administrator | Recent high school grad, beginning Computer Engineering at University of British Columbia in the fall

Rutendo, Administrative Assistant Intern | Masters in Economics Policy from McMaster University

Saher, Marketing and Events Intern | Final year, Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies, University of Calgary

Thania, Public Relations and Communications Intern | Final year, Political Science, University of Calgary

We sat down with our interns to ask them a few questions to get to know them better and share with you what it’s like to work at the Chamber:

Q: What have you learned, or what are you hoping to learn more about while working at the Chamber?

Rutendo: I've learnt the importance of the business community to the economy. I want to learn more about different ways businesses—especially small businesses—can be further supported to enhance their performance and ultimately their contribution to the Calgary economy.
Thania: Every day at the Chamber is an opportunity for learning! I’ve gained valuable insights into writing key messages and articles, as well as honing my networking skills with business leaders and government officials. The power of teamwork has been evident, showing how great things can be achieved when we collaborate. Moving forward, I aim to further improve my key messaging abilities and delve into understanding policy-making processes. And on a lighter note, the best lesson I’ve learned so far? I can handle multiple cups of coffee a day! Special shout-out to the Policy and Communications team for sharing their coffee addiction!
Hyder: I’ve learned the importance of building and maintaining relationships, which can significantly enhance your work experience. I've met many wonderful and intelligent people so far and look forward to building on those relationships during the rest of my summer term here! Additionally, I’ve developed my problem-solving, critical thinking and time management skills, especially when facing challenging situations under a tight deadline.

Q: What’s your favourite part about working at the Chamber?

Luke: My favourite part about working at the Chamber is all the incredible people I get to meet. At various events, I’ve had the opportunity to meet some phenomenal people who do amazing things for Calgarian businesses. I love hearing about why they started because they are always so passionate about what they do.
Thania: The incredibly supportive community, within the organization and in the broader community. Having experienced various jobs before joining the Chamber, I can confidently say that I’ve never been part of a more inclusive, encouraging team. It’s not just a group of colleagues but a close-knit family.
Saher: One of my favourite aspects of working at the Chamber is the incredible people I get to collaborate with every day. Our team is a diverse group of welcoming, kind individuals with a wonderful mix of personalities. We know how to have a fun time together! I’m also really excited about the work I’m doing, particularly in the realm of social videos. This medium offers a fantastic way to engage our audience and help them learn about us in a fresh, dynamic manner. I look forward to leveraging social media to highlight the amazing people who make up the Calgary Chamber and use it as a powerful storytelling tool to convey who we are and what we are all about.

Q: Do you have any major accomplishments or milestones from your internship so far that you would like to share?

Rutendo: I have contributed to enhancing the efficiency of the document certification training process, a key service provided by the Chamber. This was achieved by developing a comprehensive guide that is readily accessible, enabling individuals to familiarize themselves with the service delivery protocol.
Thania: One of my major accomplishments during my internship is I wrote and published my first article on the tourism sector in Calgary with less than a month on the job. The article reached 27,000 businesses all over the city and surrounding communities!
Saher: A significant accomplishment during my time at the Calgary Chamber has been my contribution to social media content creation. By staying attuned to trends and incorporating them into our networking events, I have helped highlight the Chamber's vibrant culture and highlight the benefits of being a member or employee. Bringing this engaging content to life has effectively demonstrated that we are a dynamic and enjoyable organization to be part of.

Q: What are your career goals post-graduation?

Rutendo: To work in policy research and analysis so that I contribute to the development of policies that enable business and entrepreneurship to thrive.
Hyder: I aspire to become a data analyst, specializing in identifying patterns in data to make informed decisions, preferably within the tech industry.
Saher: After graduating, I aim to immerse myself in an organization dedicated to marketing. The ever-evolving nature of this field, with its constant influx of new trends and the need to adapt swiftly, is what truly captivates me. My goal is to join a company that embraces this dynamic environment and prioritizes staying ahead of the curve in the marketing landscape.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years? What’s the big career dream?

Thania: In the next 10 years, I envision myself as an advocate for visible minorities. As a first-generation immigrant, I understand the prevailing mindset of work hard, survive. However, I hope they can recognize that their potential knows no borders; their talents can flourish beyond their home country. I aspire to inspire future generations to seek opportunities and break free from limiting beliefs. My dream is to establish my own law firm specializing in immigration law, where people can say, “If she can do it, I can too.”
Hyder: In 10 years, I envision myself in a software development role, making use of machine learning with big data to automate processes. Eventually, progressing to a managerial position.
Saher: In 10 years, I see myself creating advertisements or commercials on a global scale. That right there is the big career dream. Shoot for the moon, land among the stars.

Q: What types of things do you like to do outside of work? Any hobbies or interests?

Thania: Beyond work, I love to romanticize life! You’ll find me café hopping, exploring new local restaurants or, when it comes to concerts—whether they’re in the city or halfway across the globe—you can bet I’ll be there.
Luke: Outside of work, I really enjoy making dioramas, and I love using them when playing various tabletop games with my friends such as Dungeons and Dragons. My other interests include cooking, hockey and theatre productions.
Saher: I enjoy going out to a nice place for dinner with friends and family. I enjoy shopping; (one could say I have a problem). I also enjoy working out, even though I have fallen off the routine for a bit.

To meet the whole Chamber team, check out calgarychamber.com/team.