07/16/2026
When I graduated university, I never actually got a job through a resume.
Both of my first jobs came through relationships.
One came from friendships I’d built in high school. The other came through the sailing community.
Neither company was actively hiring. I didn’t go through a formal interview process. There was simply work that needed to be done, and because they already knew me, the risk of giving me a chance was much lower.
That experience has stuck with me.
Today, I hear about graduates sending out hundreds of resumes, writing endless follow-up emails, and struggling just to land a first interview. After spending years and tens of thousands of dollars investing in their education, it’s easy to understand why many feel discouraged.
That’s why I was encouraged to see Atlantic Canada’s universities and chambers of commerce launching an initiative to help more small businesses hire students through work-integrated learning.
To me, it’s about much more than subsidized wages.
It’s about giving students the chance to build relationships before they graduate.
Skills matter. Education matters. But relationships often determine who gets the opportunity to prove themselves.
The best internship isn’t just a few months of work experience. It’s the chance for an employer to think, “When we need someone full-time, we already know who we’re calling.”
I think that’s a win for students, a win for small businesses, and a win for Atlantic Canada.
How did you get your first job after school? Was it through a resume, or through someone who already knew you?
Peter Young Insurance
