Camosun College recently honoured an employer who’s no stranger to mentoring co-op students in the industry of sport. Victoria Royals director of hockey operations and communications Jeff Harris has been named co-op employer of the year by the college’s Centre for Sport and Exercise Education.
“I’m surprised,” says Harris of the award. “You don’t ever do these things for awards. I knew how helpful my boss was to me back when I did my internship, and I knew that if I could do a similar thing for someone else, it would be good. I’m almost shocked, actually. Who knew they had awards for these kinds of things?”
The award is given out each year and is based on an employer’s assistance in workplace education and providing a positive work placement experience through Camosun’s co-op program. Harris learned early on through his own internship with the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen that having positive experiences with co-op students meant setting the proper work environment.
“I’ve always worked on trying to make it like a family,” says Harris. “Working for a sports team is about having an emotional attachment to it. We receive value from the students with the work they do, but we, in turn, also have to make sure that they get value.”
Last year, the Victoria Royals hired five interns, all from Camosun’s Interurban campus. Four of the students were from Sport and Exercise Education, and one was from the Marketing/Communications program. According to Natasha Dilay, employment facilitator for the Centre for Sport and Exercise Education, Harris “epitomizes everything we want in a co-op employer.”
“He has an incredible rapport with the students and has a natural ability to lead,” says Dilay. “He’s just a very gregarious, open person who wants everyone to feel connected.”
Harris has also had co-op students from UVic in previous years, but most of them come from Camosun. A few of them, like manager of communications and hockey operations coordinator Corey St. Laurent, have been hired after their co-op placements. In total, Harris has brought over 20 interns through the Royals system in his five years with the team.
“All of the kids have been so great,” says Harris. “The biggest reward is to see how much they fall in love with the sport and the industry, and watching them go through the highs and lows of the team. It’s all worth it when you get the big win. And that’s why I work in sports.”
Meanwhile, former Royals intern Adam McKinnon recently graduated from the Bachelor of Sports Fitness Leadership program at Camosun. McKinnon was named valedictorian.