Deciding what to use for in post-secondary generally is a nerve-racking choice for a lot of college students. Kiara Johnson, a soon-to-be-fourth-year scholar on the Haskayne Faculty of Enterprise, was no exception. 

Initially from the Samson Cree Nation in Maskwacis, Johnson grew up with a powerful ardour for stitching and designing, however taking the leap to depart for a college in a unique province was a frightening thought. 

“I wasn’t able to go off to style college in Vancouver or someplace proper out of highschool, as a result of it felt too far,” says Johnson. “So, I believed, ‘What’s one thing I may do first that may finally assist me on my journey to style?’ and I landed on enterprise.” 

Right now, Johnson is sort of completed her Bachelor of Commerce diploma on the College of Calgary, specializing in organizational behaviour in human sources and advertising and marketing, with an Indigenous research minor. 

Whereas nonetheless obsessed with style and design, Johnson says she has discovered a brand new aim to work towards. 

“Inside enterprise, I’ve actually needed to discover my means and discover avenues to make it my very own,” she says. “I discovered that, by way of my Indigenous research possibility courses, I felt actually linked to this concept of merging collectively Indigenous and enterprise information to create one thing that results in an area of accessibility for all.” 

Throughout her time at UCalgary, Johnson has participated in three main co-ops and internships which have helped her towards assembly that aim. 

She has participated within the Canadian Centre of Superior Management in Enterprise (CCAL) on the Haskayne Faculty of Enterprise. The premier Canadian leadership-development centre, it helps college students meet right this moment’s complicated enterprise setting and the challenges of our future. 

“CCAL and its initiatives are superb,” says Johnson. “I had the honour of working for them for 4 months and actually felt that the chance to hone in on management improvement was extraordinarily worthwhile. (It) helped me to beat a number of the nervousness I felt when chatting with folks in greater positions.”

Kiara Johnson is about to enter her final 12 months on the Haskayne Faculty of Enterprise.

Kiara Johnson

Johnson additionally accomplished the Ch’nook Students Program. Run out of the College of British Columbia, Ch’nook Students focuses on growing enterprise expertise for fulfillment and financial independence for Indigenous leaders, learners and entrepreneurs. 

“In my first 12 months, (Haskayne teacher) Dr. David Lertzman picked myself and two different enterprise college students and beneficial that we must always apply for the Ch’nook program,” says Johnson. “I didn’t find yourself stepping into this system then, which was most likely for the perfect. Sadly, Dr. Lertzman handed away final 12 months, and I felt that, in some methods, my lastly making use of for the primary time since my first 12 months was my means of honouring him and his legacy.” 

By the Ch’nook mentorship program, Indigenous college students can be taught methods to mix Indigenous identities, tradition, language, values and information techniques that must be revered. Johnson says she would extremely advocate it to different college students. 

This summer time, Johnson participated in ATB 101, a work-experience program by way of ATB Monetary, working inside the realm of Indigenous monetary companies. This was the primary time she was in a position to work in particular person with different college students for the reason that COVID-19 pandemic started, and this system noticed her engaged on a undertaking to revamp the present Indigenous information pathway for studying inside ATB. 

“That is the closest I’ve been all through my co-op to the kind of job I’d love to do after commencement,” says Johnson. “I believe that one in all largest elements of making a various and inclusive work setting is to teach on necessary matters that carry to gentle necessary points and work to create a greater area.” 

Johnson has little doubt her internship with ATB could have a significant influence for the Indigenous group. 

“I believe an enormous a part of what we’re lacking inside enterprise is that connection to Indigenous information and an understanding of what has and continues to occur to Indigenous peoples,” says Johnson. “I see the work I’m doing as a stepping-stone to extra accepting areas that look deeper than stereotypes however look to advocate for the well-being of Indigenous peoples. 

“My aim is to assist make the enterprise world extra welcoming for different Indigenous peoples like me who haven’t at all times felt like I belonged right here.”