Pond Deshpande Centre’s Student Ambassador Program Kicks Off its Fifth Year
FREDERICTON–Every academic year the Pond-Deshpande Centre brings together a group of passionate young people to learn about the entrepreneurial mindset and culture through programming sessions, trips, workshops and the Youth Entrepreneurship Summit (YES Atlantic).
Student Ambassador Program coordinator Symone Jennings says this year’s group is smaller than previous years, at just 15 students compared to last year’s 27, and includes five alumni from previous years who will serve as mentors to the current cohort. This year’s program is also being run as a collaborative effort between the Pond-Deshpande Centre and the New Brunswick Social Policy Research Network (NBSPRN).
“[The program] runs on a choose your own adventure model so the students only have some mandatory components, such as our programming sessions and a trip to Boston. Other than that, the year is fully up to them to create their own path,” Jennings said.
“We basically showcase to them what’s going on in the ecosystem through the programming days. We will hold workshops surrounding different topics like creativity and innovation and social policy and systems change so really just providing them with the tools and skills that they won’t necessarily learn within the classroom.”
Ninh Khuong is a student in her final year at Mount Allison University (MTA) who is aiming to bridge the gap between science and entrepreneurship. She learned about the program through a Business of Science Workshop at MTA.
“Being a science student, I have always interested in the business aspect of science, especially in turning science into business,” she said. “I believe that supporting scientific discoveries and technological innovations is the key to developing our economy.”
Khuong hopes to build networks through the program and gain knowledge and experience in business, leadership and entrepreneurship.
As an alumnus of the program, Sara Taaffe says she had an incredible experience as a student ambassador. She says the program instilled in her a passion for social entrepreneurship and helped her appreciate and hone her sense of curiosity. Taaffe is now working as the vice-president of growth marketing for HotSpot Parking.
“I was intrigued to understand the depth and breadth of the world of entrepreneurship,” she said. “Although I didn’t know much about it at the time I applied, I felt that there was some connection to problem solving, which was a natural passion of mine. I figured the SAP would be a great opportunity to learn more about a world I didn’t know much about.”
“I’m so grateful for the experience that I had and was eager to give back and help shape the experience of other student ambassadors.”
Serena Smith is studying law at the University of New Brunswick. She says she’s passionate about helping others and contributing to social change and wants to learn more about social entrepreneurship.
“I think it is an amazing opportunity because I believe seeing entrepreneurs in action and working on their businesses will help demystify what being an entrepreneur is,” she said. “ I have learned that I want to have a different type of job. Instead of working in a profit focused job, I want a career that places emphasis on the triple bottom line of people, profit and planet.”
This year’s cohort gathered to meet each other for the first time and complete an orientation session on Oct. 22. They engaged in discussions about the type of community they want to build within the program, met the Student Ambassador Program mentors and participated in a condensed version of the B4Change Passion and Purpose workshop hosted by Karina LeBlanc.
Jennings says she’s excited to see them become friends and create a sense of community among themselves.
“It’s a really strong community and I think because of the fact that they all have that mindset if they want to create something, it just kind of helps foster that even more,” Jennings said.
“The students all come from really eclectic backgrounds and from different parts of the province. I think the conversation they’re going to engage in about what they want to see for the future of this province and what they want to create but also that spark to inspire others to do the same, I’m really excited to just sit back and watch that happen.”
Student Ambassador Program alumnus Vincent-Luc Brouillard was part of the second cohort in the program in 2013. He describes the program as a journey to self-discovery and a means to create change.
“This program has helped me so much in not only finding my strength but also in finding my true passions and life goals,” he said. “The selected participants are very diverse and from different disciplines but in the end, our destinations might not be the same, but our journeys are very similar.”