Defence Team Student testimonial – Olivier Bélanger
August 12, 2024 - Defence Stories
Caption
Olivier Bélanger
My name is Olivier Bélanger, and I am a 21-year-old student currently working in the Project Management Office of the Canadian Surface Combatant (River Class Destroyers). I’m a student at the University of Ottawa (uOttawa), entering my 4th year of Mechanical Engineering and have lived in the city my whole life. I am fully bilingual in English and French and take courses for my program in both languages. In my free time I play ultimate frisbee, scuba dive and I’m the Head Captain of uOttawa’s Great Northern Concrete Toboggan Race Team.
This is my first job working for the government. I previously worked for Fleetway doing in-service support for the Royal Canadian Navy’s Halifax Class Frigates. I got my job at The Department of National Defence through the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) and I’m extremely thankful that I got it.
Since beginning at DND I’ve worked on two projects; an equipment procurement for ships and a report about submarine shape profiles. I’ve really loved being able to learn from other people’s experiences since a lot of the people that I work with are a part of the Navy or are retired from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Working here has provided me with a deeper understanding of the CAF through events and ceremonies I’ve been able to attend.
This summer I’m trying to learn as much as I can about working for DND and take as many supplementary courses as I can.
Related links
Contact
- If you are a student and want to submit a testimonial, please send an email to hrciv_communications_rhciv@forces.gc.ca
- Hiring managers, if you need support finding a student for your team, contact the National Student Hiring Team at CIV.DND.NationalStudentHiring-EmbaucheNationaleEtudiants.MDN@forces.gc.ca