As a student at the #1 ranked university in the world for taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, it should be no surprise that the importance of sustainability and the effects of pollution are made very apparent to students at the University of British Columbia.
While yes, that was a brag, it is also testament to how hard the administration and students at UBC have worked to make this ranking a reality. Sustainability is everywhere on campus, from the sort your waste garbage’s to the classroom, being sustainable is just being a student at UBC. As a current student at the Sauder School of Business studying finance, I feel the responsibility to use my future education to create a positive impact on the world.
Imagine my surprise when I was introduced to RE Royalties through a connection. For me, it was the perfect internship, a blend of finance and positive environmental impacts. As an intern at RE Royalties I have been presented with the opportunity to get hands-on experience with real work, an experience that many students my age are not able to have. I have learned so much about finance and renewable energy through three months of work so far.
Trying to keep up with foreign acronyms about the industry thrown around on conference calls and digging through financial statements attempting to understand arcane (to me) accounting terms have been some of the most humbling experiences as I realize the professional capacity that this team possesses.
So, what does a typical day look like for an intern at RE Royalties? Well, there is no typical day. Every day is unique and different in its own way. As a global company, there are always investment opportunities arising and presenting themselves to RE Royalties and that is where I primarily operate.
Through the summer I often took the preliminary look at a certain industry or project and researched it and modeled it to be examined by more senior members that could draw greater insights. Outside of the financial modelling and analysis that I assist with, I also sit in on conference calls with clients and learn more about the business process.
One of the greatest things about working at RE Royalties is being able to see the tangible effects of your work.
When I first joined the company, they were in the midst of the deal process and I was fortunate enough to get involved and assist the team with their work. The end result of the deal was a success and royalties were acquired on the project that annually offsets 874 tonnes of carbon and has the capacity to provide 1,943 homes with clean electricity.
I have learned so much through my internship so far. Being exposed to real work in a professional business environment has been an extremely valuable experience. Every time I learn a new term or concept I research it online and add that research and definition to my log of terms.
Through three months I have accumulated over 11 pages of finance and energy terms.
I definitely feel that my learning is supported here. The team encourages attending various events related to finance or renewable energy in Vancouver and they always grow my interest and curiosity. While I am very proud to be interning for a company creating a positive impact on the environment I am also proud of the social work that RE Royalties does. I had the chance to volunteer at the Union Gospel Mission on the downtown eastside.
We spent an afternoon helping prepare and serve food to the less fortunate and learning more about the amazing work that gets done at the UGM. The opportunity to create positive environmental and social change in my community has been really amazing and I am so happy to have worked for a company that cares about the good of the environment and the people.
RE Royalties has been a great company to work for. Between the real world experience and the supportive coworkers, I could not have asked for a better first foray into the professional world.
From all of us at RE Royalties, thank you Will for your hard work and dedication. We will miss you at the office!