Inside the Summer: Reflections from Our 2025 Commodity Trading Interns

This summer, Olympic Industries welcomed a standout group of commodity trading interns from top universities across Canada. Over the course of four months, they immersed themselves in the fast-paced world of lumber trading, took on meaningful responsibilities, and contributed directly to our day-to-day operations.

We sat down with them to hear about their experiences, and they didn’t hold back!

Hands-On Learning From Day One

One theme that came through in every conversation was the real, hands-on experience interns gained from the very beginning. For Wyatt Brown, a third-year business student at UBC, the internship wasn’t just another line on his resume, it was a full-on challenge:

Grayson Leuck, who studies International Economics and Finance at UBC, echoed the same sentiment:

“A lot of people doubt their abilities when they’re young. But Olympic gives you the opportunity to prove yourself, they trust you with real responsibility.”

A Team Culture That Feels Like Home

While the trading floor can be intense, our interns consistently described Olympic’s culture as one of camaraderie, energy, and support.

Andy Quinn, an Economics major from Queen’s University, and Varsity Football player summed it up well:

“It’s loud, it’s energetic, and it’s fun. Everyone’s truly themselves. It’s an ‘everybody wins’ mentality, and it works.”

For Kenneth Wu, a Finance student at McGill and Junior Varsity Hockey player, the team dynamic felt familiar:

“It feels like home. The culture is competitive but also incredibly welcoming. Everyone is trying to make the most out of every day.”

Beyond the Desk: Building Bonds That Last

A highlight for many interns was the time spent outside the office, deepening relationships with their peers and colleagues.

Kenneth recalled the charity soccer tournament as one of his favorite moments:

“It wasn’t work-related, but it showed that everyone’s human. We had a great time playing, laughing, and connecting outside of the office.”

Grayson and Wyatt both emphasized the unique bond formed within their intern group, going through training, tackling challenges, and celebrating wins together:

“We were all in the same boat,” said Wyatt. “We grew together, faced adversity, and came out stronger. That shared experience is something I’ll always remember.”

Words of Advice From the Inside

So what would this year’s interns say to future applicants?

“Understand what you’re signing up for,” Wyatt said. “This isn’t a 9-to-5 co-op. You’ll be pushed, you’ll learn a lot, and you’ll grow.”

“The biggest surprise?” Andy added. “How much of an impact we actually had on the day-to-day business. We weren’t just observers, we were part of the team.”

Final Thoughts

When asked to describe their summer in one word, here’s what they said:

• Andy: Fun
• Kenneth: Impactful
• Grayson: Opportunity
• Wyatt: Persistence

From the lively trading floor to early-morning strategy meetings, from late-night wins to team dinners and laughs, this summer was more than just an internship. It was a launchpad.

We’re proud of what this group accomplished and grateful for the energy and insight they brought to Olympic. To our 2025 summer interns: thank you. We can’t wait to see what you do next.

Interested in joining our next cohort of interns?

Follow us on LinkedIn @OlympicIndustriesULC and keep an eye on our Careers page Careers - Olympic Industries for future internship opportunities.