Northern Development intern Will George (right)Â recently visited LoveDawsonCreek.com business Vintage & Restoration Love. Josee Kownatka (centre) of Vintage & Restoration Love. Austin Weaver (left), City of Dawson Creek tourism.
8:30AM Tuesday, August 11: I just got into the office and wanted to send off a quick note letting you know what’s been going on since this year’s internships started. It’s been a busy but rewarding first two months. Here’s the news:
Originally from the Lower Mainland, my career path so far has been a steady migration north. Now, after graduating from Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, I have positioned myself for a career in economic development.
Our cohort of interns this year includes seven local government interns (now out in their respective communities), and four economic development interns here in Prince George. The communities where the local government interns have been posted include: Vanderhoof, Wells, Quesnel, Prince Rupert, Granisle, Bella Coola, Valemount and Fort St. James. As for me, Prince George is home for the next few months as I experience life as an economic development intern.
Almost every day a new project lands on our desks. So far some of the projects we have worked on include reviewing grant applications, developing new programs and creating databases to better understand what organizations and communities are in need of assistance now and in the future.
My favorite project so far has been creating a list of every non-profit organization in Northern B.C. The list is important because it means the Trust will be able to reach out to these organizations and ensure each non-profit knows they may be able to access funding and assistance from Northern Development. So far as we know this list has never been developed before (If you know of one, please tell me). The task has been substantially less daunting thanks to assistance we’ve received from the team of local government interns who have provided us with a list of the active non-profit organizations in their communities.
Moving to a new city and continuing down my career path is exciting. There are many places to see here in Northern B.C., and the potential we have to help build a stronger north and stronger British Columbia is something I am looking forward to. And, as a bonus, past and present Northern Development interns are spread throughout the province so if we need assistance on projects, they are only a phone call away.
Better get back to work though – we have a ‘to-do’ list the size of Mr. PG.
’till next time,
– Will George
