Building a career through hands-on learning: Amica's story
For Amica, finding a career after graduation was about more than landing a job. It was about finding opportunities to learn, grow and make a meaningful impact.
Originally from a small town in Ontario, Amica studied Mechanical Engineering at Queen's University. During her time at school, her family relocated to New Brunswick, and after visiting during school breaks, she knew she wanted to build her career there.
"When I visited New Brunswick, I absolutely loved it here and knew I wanted to stay after graduation," she said.
In the summer of 2025, Amica joined Atlantic Towing as an Engineering Assistant for her co-op work term. During her placement, she supported a variety of engineering projects and gained experience in vessel operations, stability calculations, warranty claims and records management.
One of the highlights of her placement was visiting tugboats and seeing operations firsthand.
"Regular visits to the tugboats gave me hands-on experience and improved my understanding of day-to-day operations," she said. "It helped me connect what I learned in the classroom to real-world applications."
Before completing her degree, Amica accepted a full-time opportunity with JDI.
"Accepting my offer with JDI was an easy decision," she said. "I was grateful to enjoy my final year of school without the added stress of a job search. Knowing that I would be joining a great team made my transition into a career even more exciting."
As she prepares to begin her career, continued learning remains a top priority.
"My main priority when considering post-graduation plans was finding a workplace that values learning and development," she said. "From courses and certifications to day-to-day experiences, JDI truly supports employee growth."
As she begins her next chapter, Amica is looking forward to continuing to learn and grow through the Transportation & Logistics Division's Careers in Motion program. The program allows students and new hires to rotate through different roles across the division, providing exposure to a variety of operations.
Having started her first rotation with RST Transport earlier this month, Amica is excited for what's ahead.
"I'm excited for the learning opportunities ahead and the chance to keep growing while contributing to the team," she said.
For students looking to follow a similar path, Amica offers simple advice: stay curious.
"Show up to work every day with curiosity. Don't be afraid to ask questions, share your ideas and ask for help. You're surrounded by people who want to see you succeed."
About RST Transport
Since 1970, RST Transport has put customers first, and prides itself on the ability to help all parties achieve their goals. RST Transport completes every service and every delivery with safety and efficiency top of mind.
With teams who have a keen understanding of what it takes to be successful in the bulk transportation business, RST Transport has the diversity to meet customer needs, and the dedication and expertise to get the job done right. For over half a century, customers have trusted RST Transport to always deliver.
