Ever wonder what it’s like working for CCL Group companies? Just ask Stephanie Howatt. The Bachelor of Commerce student recently got an opportunity to experience it first hand through a residency at CCL Group headquarters in Halifax, Nova Scotia as part of her co-op work term with Dalhousie University.

Stephanie says that while her studies during her first two years at Dalhousie had given her a good foundation in marketing, accounting and finance, she was still unsure of which direction she wanted to take her degree. “I needed real world experience to find out where my true passions lie,” she says. “CCL Group is well known in Atlantic Canada as being a group of distinct companies with strong leadership. With so many different areas to pursue, I was sure I would discover what fields I was enthusiastic about.”

Her duties varied during her time with CCL Group. With the Finance Team Stephanie assisted with accounts payable and receivable for Colour, budgeting and billing clients, and liaised with Ernst and Young, the company’s financial assessors.With the Human Resources Team at Blue Ocean, she led job interviews, participated in career expos, evaluated training, led charity programs and prepared recruitment resources. With the Marketing Team, Stephanie led research projects which included a competitive analysis and social media scan. “I got to experience the full spectrum of business management,” Stephanie says, “and I gained a lot of new knowledge and skills working with both Blue Ocean and Colour.”With the Human Resources Team at Blue Ocean, she led job interviews, participated in career expos, evaluated training, led charity programs and prepared recruitment resources. With the Marketing Team, Stephanie led research projects which included a competitive analysis and social media scan. “I got to experience the full spectrum of business management,” Stephanie says, “and I gained a lot of new knowledge and skills working with both Blue Ocean and Colour.”

Working with CCL Group didn’t just teach Stephanie about processes and procedures. It also allowed her to develop and build critical skills that she can apply to her studies, work, and life. “I definitely came out of this with enhanced communication skills, better ability to time manage, drive to take initiative, as well as discovering the importance of taking ownership of my work. I gained more confidence and clarity, communicating with co-workers and perspective employees.”

Stephanie believes that her experience with CCL Group presented her with knowledge that a classroom setting would not have been able to provide but that she can take back with her. “This experience has made me a more well rounded business student, and has provided me with tools in which I could carry on to any form of business - from marketing, accounting or just dealing with people.”

What does Stephanie this the best part of working with CCL Group was? “Certainly the people,” she says. “Everyone was extremely welcoming and were as eager to teach as I was to learn.” Stephanie believes this work experience helped her grow not only for her future university career, but also as a person, which she contributes to all of people that work there. “I am not surprised that so many people want to work for CCL Group,” she says “and why those who already do enjoy it so much.”