From co-op work terms to full time hire: Ali's student experience with JDI Sawmills

But the master of mechanical engineering student at the University of New Brunswick Fredericton has accomplished just that. Already a few months into his full-time role as a Maintenance Planner at the Grand Lake Timber planermill, Ali says he couldn’t have found a better runway from which to launch his career.

“This is a great place for students to get hired,” he said. “This is a great place to start out, seek experience and never say no to whatever comes your way. Everything is an opportunity.”

It was this ethos that drove Ali’s trajectory through his student work terms. He started out in an inventory implementation role at the Sawmill head office in Fredericton, N.B. As part of this job, he became familiar with the company’s sawmill operations through both in office and on-site experiences, visiting sawmills across the province.

His co-op term was extended into the summer, where he worked on a project with real impact, helping to implement an inventory system switch at one of the sawmills. On his third consecutive work term, Ali moved to his current workplace at Grand Lake Timber as a student maintenance planner. In December, “student” was taken off his title, as he was offered a full-time role.

Knowing he had a job secured before completing his studies was a relief, Ali said, especially coming into a role that provided opportunities for career growth.

“This is what I want, as a mechanical engineer,” he said. “I want to start out in a junior maintenance role so I can learn. School only covers a certain amount. Everything else you have to see in person; you have to work with people.”

And it’s the people he gets to work with that are Ali’s favourite part of his role.

Learning in a fast-paced environment has helped him gain self-confidence, Ali said. He has his sights on someday taking his next step as a supervisor.

“This is why I stayed with JDI,” he added. “Everybody here is going to help you. They’re not gatekeeping. They’re pushing you forward.

“This is why I wanted to grow here. This is how I wanted to start my career.”