Life as an Intern at Olympic Industries

At Olympic Industries, internships are built to give students and recent grads a real opportunity to learn, contribute, and grow.

From day one, interns are welcomed into a fast-moving team environment where they gain hands-on experience, build strong relationships, and develop skills that go far beyond the classroom. For those looking to start their careers in a place that values ambition, curiosity, and initiative, Olympic offers an experience that is both rewarding and memorable.

To give a real perspective on what that looks like, we heard directly from two trader interns: Ian Smith and Jack Fairfield.

Ian (left) is currently completing his Bachelor of Commerce at UVic with a specialization in Entrepreneurship, while also playing on UVic’s Rugby team. Jack (right) graduated from the Sauder School of Business in April 2025 and is currently completing his Master of Financial Economics at Western University. Together, their experiences offer a strong look into what makes Olympic such a unique place to begin your career.

An Internship That Puts You in the Action

One of the clearest takeaways from both Ian and Jack is that an internship at Olympic is immersive in the best way.

Interns are trusted with meaningful work, included in the rhythm of the trading floor, and given the chance to learn by being part of the day-to-day flow of the business.

Ian describes a typical day like this:

“My day starts at 4:00 AM as I get ready and head to the office for 5:00 AM. I begin with priority emails and calls while having coffee, followed by a trader meeting to discuss the current market and economy. Most of the day is spent coordinating freight for traders, which involves constant communication. Toward the end of the day, I focus on building relationships, completing training modules, and playing at least one game of ping pong.”

His answer captures what makes the experience stand out. Interns are not watching from the sidelines. They are actively contributing, staying connected, and gaining exposure to how the business operates in real time.

A Culture That Is Competitive, Supportive, and Fun

Olympic’s culture is a major part of what makes the internship experience special.

When asked to describe the team dynamics in one sentence, Ian said:

“Open, expressive, intense and fun.”

Olympic is a place full of energy and people who care deeply about doing great work. At the same time, it is a team environment where interns are encouraged to ask questions, get involved, and build genuine connections.

Ian explains how closely interns work with traders throughout the day:

“During the day you are constantly communicating with the traders to provide updates on load bookings, shipment times, freight pricing and general information that is useful. Typically, later in the day when things slow down is a good time to ask questions about their businesses and learn more about the industry while also getting to know them.”

That access is one of the biggest advantages of interning at Olympic. You are surrounded by opportunities to learn, not just through formal training, but through everyday conversations and collaboration with the people around you.

A Place to Grow Your Confidence and Skills

The Olympic internship is also the kind of experience that helps people grow quickly.

Jack shared that one of the biggest learning curves in the role is learning how to manage multiple priorities throughout the day:

“I would say the most challenging part of the role is managing competing priorities. There are many different time-sensitive tasks to handle throughout the day; making calls on urgent loads, getting quotes for traders, ensuring pickups happen on time, onboarding new carriers, rebooking cancelled trucks, setting lane prices, and more. There are often moments when all of these are happening at once.”

What stands out in his answer is not just the pace of the role, but how much room there is to build valuable career skills. Olympic gives interns the chance to strengthen communication, judgment, organization, and adaptability in a real business setting.

That kind of experience builds confidence fast, and it is one of the reasons the internship can be such a strong foundation for what comes next.

The Mindset That Thrives at Olympic

For Jack, success in the role starts with mindset.

“You need a strong problem-solving mindset. Every day presents a wide range of challenges, and no two situations have the same solution.”

He also highlights the value of being proactive and taking ownership:

“When issues arise, you have to take initiative because no one will solve them for you. That means digging for information, thinking critically, and making quick decisions under pressure. There isn’t always a ‘correct’ answer, but there is always a way to move things forward.”

At Olympic, that mindset is seen as a strength. Interns are trusted to think, contribute, and keep building their confidence as they learn. For people who enjoy being engaged, staying curious, and finding solutions, that makes the role especially rewarding.

Why Olympic Stood Out

When Jack was deciding where to go, Olympic offered something different.

“What stood out to me was the combination of interpersonal skills, business intuition, and analytical thinking.”

He also explained why the opportunity felt so unique:

“Other opportunities I considered were more analytical but lacked autonomy and ownership. At Olympic, you’re given responsibility and the freedom to approach problems in your own way, it feels a lot like running your own business.”

That sense of trust and ownership is a big part of what sets Olympic apart. Interns are given the opportunity to contribute in meaningful ways, develop their own approach, and build experience that feels substantial from the start.

Advice for Future Interns

For students considering the opportunity, Jack’s advice is simple and encouraging:

“Come in with a strong desire to learn and a willingness to be proactive. Every day should feel like an opportunity.”

He adds:

“There’s always something to do, and you should never find yourself sitting idle wondering what comes next.”

That perspective reflects the kind of environment Olympic creates for interns: one where there is always something new to learn, new people to connect with, and new ways to grow.

More Than a Resume Builder

Becoming an intern at Olympic gives you the chance to be part of a high-energy team, learn alongside experienced traders, build valuable business skills, and form relationships that make a lasting impact. It is also a chance to experience a workplace culture that values both performance and people.

For students and recent grads who want to start their careers in an environment that is dynamic, supportive, and growth-oriented, Olympic Industries offers an internship experience that leaves a real impression.

Curious about our current internships? Click here to view our career page.