Define your own experience
Studying at the University of New Brunswick Saint John
opened up a world of opportunity for Eric Savoie.
Going to a university like UNB, says the 23-year-old, gives students the chance to define the experience they want.
"UNB gives a lot of opportunities for students to be engaged in university governance, working groups, student government, and volunteer opportunities," he says.
"Anytime you have an idea or really want to do something you're passionate about, you can always find someone who will support you and help get that idea off the ground and support the pursuit."
Not only is Eric a graduate of UNB Saint John, he's also the Saint John YM/YWCA 2009 Red Triangle Young Leader to Watch, a member of the Board of Directors for the Saint John YM/YWCA and was recently selected as one of 21 inc's leaders for the 21st Century.
Test-driving a career
Eric currently works as a Senior Staff Accountant in the advisory services practice of Ernst & Young in Saint John, and is pursuing his chartered accountancy with the firm.
This wasn't his initial plan, though: he initially enrolled in UNB Saint John's business program with the intention of pursuing a career in human resource management, but eventually found himself considering accounting.
UNB Saint John's business co-op program helped him make up his mind.
"I pursued two work terms at Ernst & Young in accounting and enjoyed it," says Eric.
The people he met and the clients he worked with kept Eric interested in the field, which eventually led him to return to the company after graduation.
Eric hopes more students take advantage of UNB's co-op programs, because it gives them the option to try a career before graduation.
"You tend to have many career ideas, but by going through co-op, you can test-drive a couple of career opportunities before you actually graduate."
Shifting career gears
While Eric has been recognized for his tireless community involvement, the UNB graduate is just getting started.
Eric, a former VP External of the UNB Saint John Students' Representative Council, is used to dealing with community and government members on a regular basis.
He now sits on the board of directors of FUSION Saint John, a networking group that aims to build Saint John as a destination city.
"I want to work in our community and make it a better place for people who want to live and work here," says Eric.
On top of his formal positions within the Saint John community, Eric says he often finds himself collaborating with other community leaders, young and experienced, to discuss different perspectives and issues.
That didn't stop his amazement when he was nominated in April as the Young Leader to Watch.
"I was quite surprised that I was nominated and then got the award, because I think I've still got a lot to learn," he says.
"I feel like I'm just starting out, and I'm really looking forward to the opportunities ahead. It's a ‘young leader' award, so I think it's implying that there are other things for that individual to be involved with in the future."
