Transformative: How a Career Edge Internship Gave Avan More Than a Job. It Gave Her a New Life

“I was applying for so many jobs. And then Career Edge made this happen for me.”

Avan had a goal: get into banking. She had the drive, the determination, and a stack of applications going nowhere. In 2022, Career Edge placed her at TD Bank as a Project Coordinator. Four years later, she’s still there – full-time, growing, and clear-eyed about exactly what made the difference.

She describes the experience in one word: transformative.

“This completely changed my life. It gave me insight into all these possibilities for your career in the future, and somewhere around the world.”

That’s not hyperbole. It’s the language of someone who felt a door open for the first time after a long stretch of silence. And what came through that door wasn’t just a pay cheque or a title, it was something harder to quantify.

“Career Edge gave me confidence. It gave me that belief to understand that I can do and achieve whatever I am dreaming of.”

The most valuable skills she gained weren’t the ones on a job description.

“Soft skills matter as much as your hard skills and technical skills. For myself, being adaptive to different teams, different projects, being a problem-solver and a team player. Those are the skills I can still use every day at work.”

The advice she’d give her younger self cuts straight to the point, and lands with a laugh.

“Why didn’t you get to know this program much earlier? Stay confident. Believe in yourself. Trust yourself. You can get this done and get your career in the role.”

On what employers owe early talent, Avan’s answer is grounded in exactly what helped her thrive:

“Offer mentorship. Give clear guidance and networking connections. Give early talent real work to do, and give them space to stay confident and comfortable in asking questions and learning.”

Real work. Real mentorship. Real space to grow. The formula isn’t complicated. It just requires intention.

And for Career Edge, from someone whose entire trajectory shifted because of it:

“Congratulations on your 30th Anniversary. It was a pleasure getting to know your program and your team. Thank you for this chance to start my whole career. You are making a lasting difference to so many people’s lives.”

Want to learn more about Avan and her journey, watch the full video here