Impacting others through supportive leadership

Olivia Wright grew up in Whitehorse, Yukon, and moved to Nanaimo just before starting high school. During her Grade 12 year, she applied to the Bachelor of Business Administration program at VIU.

“My dream is to own a successful business that positively impacts others,” she says.

Olivia is starting her career in human resources as an intern with Western Forest Products. Here’s how VIU is helping her get where she wants to go.

What made you decide to attend VIU?

I was always familiar with VIU. It was the best option for me as it was close to home. I could keep my part-time job and I knew it was a good next step for my career. 

What did you enjoy most about studying at VIU?

The biggest impact was the connections made professionally and personally. I enjoyed meeting amazing friends and was fortunate enough to meet great mentors throughout my four years at VIU. The relationships I’ve built here have led to career opportunities and helped shape my decisions following graduation. VIU has prepared me for my career in many ways. In the final year of the program, I was able to apply my knowledge in classes that required me to show my expertise in human resources. I got to experience guest speakers throughout my time at VIU where I learned the importance of networking and I was able to build a great network. I was also given the opportunity to reach out to HR professionals and interview them for different assignments. This helped me learn more about what my future may look like.

Describe your involvement in the VIU community.

I became a Chartered Professional in Human Resources member and was a part of the winning team in the sales competition to raise money for BC SPCA in the final year of my degree. I attended two career fairs and was able to build connections with multiple employers.

What will you miss most about your time at VIU?

VIU has been a huge part of my life for the last four years. I will miss meeting new people, professors that have been great mentors and the overall sense of community at VIU. It really is such a great University.

What career are you considering?

I am a Human Resources Major and a Marketing Minor. My general goal is to be an HR professional that assists in the success of an organization and be a leader that others look up to and feel supported in their roles. My dream is to own a successful business that positively impacts others.

How do you think your time at VIU has prepared you for the career of your choice?

After graduation, I will be starting an HR intern position at Western Forest Products. I am confident this opportunity will introduce me to many amazing people and be extremely beneficial for future opportunities.