My name is Hana Brissenden, I am a second-year university student and on May 27th, 2024, I began my internship at the Brampton Board of Trade. My summer at BBOT has been a wonderful learning experience, and I am proud to say that I have grown professionally and personally during my time here.
Having been born and raised in Mississauga, I did not have much experience visiting Brampton or had the opportunity to learn about the city’s community and culture first-hand. However, this summer, I was fortunate enough to change that. I had the chance to experience Brampton through the meaningful work BBOT does for the city’s business community during a transitional time not only for the city but for BBOT as an organization.
I began my term just a few months after Jaipaul Massey-Singh began his leadership as CEO. This timing gave me a front-row seat to witness a shift in BBOT’s organizational direction and culture. I had the exciting opportunity to sit in on countless brainstorming sessions on how BBOT plans to shift into a more community-focused entity and engage with its members on a deeper level. On top of that, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in projects centered around these goals and help the team bring brainstormed ideas to life. This experience speaks to one of the most valuable parts of interning with BBOT- the exposure to new ideas and the invitation to be actively involved in the organization’s growth. Attending the Policy and Government Relations (PGR) meetings is a standout example of this point. The PGR team is rich with expertise and commitment to developing actionable solutions to challenges faced by the Brampton community. As a political science student, the opportunity to sit in on PGR discussions led by passionate individuals dedicated to making a difference in Brampton broadened my perspective tenfold. Through this experience, I developed a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in community development and advocacy- insights I will carry with me when I return to school in September.
Beyond the professional experience I gained this summer; the most rewarding aspect of my internship was meeting the incredible BBOT staff. From the first day of my internship to my last, the staff at BBOT created an incredibly supportive work environment and encouraged my professional growth. For instance, during my orientation, Operations Director Jennifer Lalonde told me that in the interest of my professional development, she wanted to ensure that I saw a project through from start to finish, despite the short length of my summer term. This meant a lot to me as I was given a level of trust and responsibility that helped me feel empowered in my role, even as an intern. Throughout the summer, the BBOT staff consistently demonstrated their desire to help me develop valuable work experience and skills, which as a student early in her career, was incredibly meaningful.
Despite beginning this internship without knowing much about the Brampton community, I can now happily say that I have found community here at BBOT. There is something truly special about the direction BBOT is heading and the team’s exciting energy toward making meaningful changes in the Brampton business community.
To all BBOT members who have read this far, take this reflection as a testimonial to the amount of hard work the BBOT staff does to support the growth and success of Brampton businesses, all while having fun. I am deeply grateful to have interned at BBOT this summer and I am excited to see how the organization continues to evolve and positively impact Brampton.
