Avery Vold: SEIDO Student Officer Sines at Enterprise Saskatchewan
Avery Vold has been involved with the Saskatchewan Economic & International Development Officer Program (SEIDO) for almost a year, but in that time she has helped with the planning and coordination of international seminars, workshops and events as well as helped with program development.
Vold also made great strides toward her future career with a volunteer experience that became a part time job. “The SEIDO Program along with its partner, the University of Saskatchewan’s Hanlon Centre, connected me to Enterprise Saskatchewan after I expressed interest in gaining some volunteer or work experience,” Vold says. “Aware of my interest in international business, Nick [Nick Kokkastamapoulos, SEIDO Program Coordinator] introduced me to Alex Fallon [Director of Investment Attraction, Enterprise Saskatchewan].”
Vold first began volunteering for Fallon’s client project, the Carson Centre for Uranium Mining & Training. When a job opportunity came up at Enterprise Saskatchewan, Fallon encouraged Vold to apply.
“I was hired part time at Enterprise Saskatchewan, now Ministry of the Economy, in January 2012,” she says. In the Investment Attraction Department, the SEIDO Student Officer as part of her practicum was responsible for researching and reporting on a variety of topics relating to Saskatchewan’s economy and industry sectors, as well as the economies and industry sectors of other countries around the world. “We would use this data to find areas where Saskatchewan businesses and people could collaborate with other international businesses for the greater good,” she says.
Vold also assisted with mission and event planning, preparing reports and maintaining electronic databases. “After four months, I began to understand the process and importance of forming these international and national relationships that fuel our economy,” she says. “One of the most valuable lessons I took away from Enterprise Saskatchewan was that the relationships we form through trade and other business practices are a large part of what enhances Saskatchewan’s economic prosperity. I also took away a greater sense of pride in Saskatchewan, as I developed a greater understanding of its bounty.”
As Vold starts off on her career, she will take with her the skills she learned at Enterprise Saskatchewan. “My experience allowed me to build on soft skills, such as writing, professionalism, and problem solving. I also strengthened my networking skills and developed an increased understanding of Saskatchewan’s key economic sectors,” she says. “The practical knowledge I gained about the need and value of international relations in business will also aid me in my future endeavors.”
* Please note this article has been updated to reflect the new name change of the “Saskatchewan Economic & International Development Officer Program” (“SEIDO”), from its former program name as the “Saskatchewan International Trade Officer Program” (“SITO”).
The Saskatchewan Economic & International Development Officer Program (SEIDO) allows university/college and high schools throughout Saskatchewan the opportunity build global business knowledge, related skills development, and training opportunities for a career in global business, international trade and development. For more information, please contact Nicholas Kokkastamapoulos (SEIDO Program Coordinator) at the Haultain Institute for Global Business Studies at nick.kokkas@seidoprogram.org or nkokkas@haultaininstitute.org or by telephone at (306) 715-2260. Thank you.
