Jack Bougie (commerce)
When the opportunity arose to work as a co-op student with an iconic local tourism company, Malahat Skywalk Corporation, it was a perfect fit for commerce student Jack Bougie.
Supporting local tourism
The role took Jack throughout Greater Victoria, and from the top of the SkyWalk itself, sweeping views of the Saanich Peninsula and the Salish Sea show off the island’s incredible natural scenery.
“The biggest surprise about my work term was learning about how local tourism operates and how closely connected different organizations are,” says Jack. “This work term helped me see the operation of an industry that I had no knowledge about before my co-op role, and I made strong connections during my work term.”
Building relationships through co-op
As the sales and marketing coordinator for Malahat Skywalk, Jack helped manage external relationships with hotels and other tourist attractions in Greater Victoria, helping to launch a direct point of sale program that will allow hotels to sell Malahat Skywalk tickets to guests directly. To strengthen these relationships, Jack organized events, hosted on-site tours, and supported marketing efforts by creating rack cards and social media content.
“The role was constantly changing. My task list was different every week and the new projects kept me excited for what was coming next,” Jack says.
In a co-op role that brought new challenges, Jack relied on the collaboration and teamwork emphasized in the commerce program—a people-first focus on listening to the ideas that everyone on the team brought to the table helped promote creativity. Whether presenting to external tourism organizations or working closely with his supervisor on regular idea sessions, Jack built connections with people from different backgrounds, with different approaches to projects.
What's next
Now, he’s hoping to continue this path with a career in sales. “I want to connect with people and continuously learn by working with others,” Jack says.
“When you’re on a co-op term, it’s important to be confident in your skills. Even if you’re hybrid or remote, stay collaborative with your team. Don’t be afraid of asking questions or seeking help,” Jack advises other students. Most importantly, he reminds students to use co-op as an opportunity to try new roles and experiences. “My interests are ever-changing. It’s exciting to try something that’s out of my comfort zone!”