A Unique Summer at PCL Construction
This summer, I had the pleasure of working as an Events and Marketing Co-op Student at PCL Construction in Ottawa. The construction industry isn’t where you’d expect to find an event planning co-op—but it’s been one of the most rewarding experiences of my studies.
My Role and Responsibilities
My role primarily centered around organizing internal and external events for employees, clients, and sub-trades. I’ve had the opportunity to work on many events—everything from appreciation parties and employee milestones to site team-building activities and fundraising events. It’s all part of building connections through events in unexpected places.
Bringing Bishop’s Learning to Life
During my time at Bishop’s University, I’ve studied in a program that values both theory and experience. As a BBA Management student with minors in marketing, entrepreneurship, and HR, I’ve built strong skills in communication, planning, and leadership. Bishop’s taught me to be adaptable, take initiative, and work with diverse teams—skills that proved essential in this co-op.
Planning Events in a Construction Environment
Planning events in a construction environment is unlike anything I’ve done before. There are a lot of moving parts—literally and figuratively. One of my proudest moments was planning and executing a mid-year update from national headquarters. This involved researching venues, choosing and booking caterers, hiring an audiovisual team, and coordinating rentals, signage, volunteers, and merch. Seeing the event come to life and seeing how much employees enjoyed themselves was extremely rewarding and a great reminder of why I chose this path. It was a perfect example of building connections through events in unexpected places.
The Power of Small Gestures
One of the most surprising aspects of this role has been how small gestures can be so impactful. I’ve learned that events don’t need to be extravagant to be meaningful. A morning coffee or timely thank-you can boost morale—especially in high-pressure environments like construction. This experience has made me appreciate the behind-the-scenes work that goes into creating a positive workplace culture.
Advice for Future Co-op Students
If I could offer any advice to other students considering a co-op or internship, it would be this: lean into unfamiliar opportunities. I never thought I’d work in the construction industry, but this role has expanded my skill set in ways I didn’t expect. I’ve learned how to put trust in myself to deliver high-quality events and how to communicate with a variety of people I never would have met otherwise.
Looking Ahead
This co-op has helped shape my future goals. I’ve always been interested in events, but now I see a real path in corporate event planning—specifically in industries where event logistics play a key role in operations and employee engagement. I’m excited to explore future opportunities in internal events, appreciation programming, and employee experience.
Gratitude and Reflection
Looking back, I’m incredibly thankful for how Bishop’s supported me in landing this opportunity—from the Career & Co-op Office to the professors who helped me prepare. This co-op has shown me that you don’t need to wait until graduation to apply what you’ve learned, and you can trial different work environments before graduating to help figure out what works best for you.
