Internships/co-ops are vital steps in the journey for early-career professionals, giving students a chance to explore the corporate landscape and practice academic learnings in a real-life work environment before starting as full-time employees.
At Kinaxis, interns are not mere observers; they are valued team members in a dynamic, people-first culture. In this post, get to know Kinaxis interns Mars Cadieux and Areeba Zahid to learn more about their experiences coming aboard, what they've learned and their advice to students.
Mars Cadieux
Mars is working as an Intern Developer in our Business Applications team.
How would you describe the culture at Kinaxis?
Kinaxis has the most welcoming and supportive culture I've ever experienced in a workplace! Everyone is so friendly, all the managers and directors are incredibly easy to talk to, and my teammates are always willing to lend a helping hand whenever I have questions. Kinaxis is very focused on employee well-being and work-life balance, and you can tell everyone is so happy to be here.
What have you learned in your time at Kinaxis?
I've learned how to directly apply concepts I learned in school (namely graph theory, data structures, and run-time analysis) to solve real-world problems. I now know how to write C++ production code, as well as how to develop test cases in C#. I feel like I'm well on my way to becoming a professional software developer, and I've gained a lot of valuable supply chain knowledge as well!
What are some of the highlights in your experience at Kinaxis?
I participated in Kinaxis' annual hackathon where I got to work with new people, learn new things, and develop an internal tool that improves infrastructure and workflow. I also got to demo my main work project to the entire Core Algorithms department, which made me feel very accomplished in my work. Finally, I've made amazing friends and connections here. My coworkers and I plan activities outside work, one of which being a weekend trip to Mont Tremblant with the other interns!
What are some of the projects that you have worked on during your placement?
I've had the exciting opportunity to develop an algorithm that clusters supply chain parts which are linked by two-way dependencies. The results of my project will help customers understand how and why their supply chain parts are linked, which will help them make informed planning decisions and reduce the amount of time it takes to schedule their manufacturing processes. The work has been a fun challenge and seeing my impact has been extremely rewarding.
What advice would you give to an incoming Co-Op/Intern?
My advice to incoming co-ops and interns is to get involved! Kinaxis has so many amazing clubs and activities, networking opportunities, and professional development workshops. It's truly a one-of-a-kind workplace; make the most of your experience while you're here!
Areeba Zahid
Areeba is working as an Intern on our Sales Enablement Team.
How would you describe the culture at Kinaxis?
The culture at Kinaxis is driven by passion and motivation. Everyone I've worked with here is genuinely invested in what they do, and there's a real sense of collaboration. People are not only focused on their own success, but also on helping others succeed, creating a supportive and dynamic work environment. This emphasis on mutual growth has made it such an amazing experience.
What have you learned in your time at Kinaxis?
I've learned that there’s no such thing as a wrong answer at Kinaxis. Every idea, no matter how small, is valued, listened to, and given the opportunity to come to life. This inclusive environment fosters innovation, encourages creativity, and empowers everyone to share their thoughts without hesitation. It's a place where diverse perspectives are celebrated, and this openness helps everyone grow and learn.
What are some of the highlights in your experience at Kinaxis?
One of the most exciting highlights for me has been the live concerts in the Hive (at the HQ office in Ottawa)! It’s refreshing to have fun and connect with colleagues while at work.
What are some of the projects that you have worked on during your placement?
As an enablement intern, I've worked closely with my team to develop self-paced learning content tailored to our sales teams. This process involves a lot of visualization, empathy, and thinking outside the box to design learning experiences that are engaging, informative, and aligned with our goals. Recently, we launched a comprehensive 6-week onboarding path aimed at equipping new Business Consultants with the essential knowledge and skills for success.
What advice would you give to an incoming Co-Op/Intern?
Don’t be afraid to be bold. Speak up with your opinions, questions, and ideas. As a student, it’s easy to feel like you’re at a disadvantage because of experience, but your voice is just as important. This is a learning opportunity, and the best way to grow is by engaging actively with your team, asking questions, and taking initiative. Be proactive and remember that your contributions matter.
If these personal insights sound like the kind of professional experience you’re looking for, be sure to check out our current co-op/intern opportunities by visiting https://www.kinaxis.com/en/open-positions.
Check back often, as more roles will be posted soon!
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