Student experience in social enterprise
Justin Lopinski, 21, began his education at Memorial University in September of 2013 as he moved from Hamilton, Ontario to St. John’s 4 years ago. Lopinski stated that he chose Memorial due to the opportunity of pursuing both commerce and political science, as he has an interest in both of these fields. He continues to pursue this goal of obtaining a joint degree with the aim to differentiate himself in the job market and to gain more rounded educational experience at MUN. Justin is also a member of the 2017-2018 MUNSU Board of Directors where he was elected as a business representative.
Social Enterprise Champion
Throughout his program at Memorial University, Justin completed his final work term with the Centre for Social Enterprise for the summer 2017 semester. In the past, he had completed work term placements with community partner of CSE, Stella’s Circle.
“When I started working in my first work term at a social enterprise, I had very little idea about what a social enterprise was beyond the definition … the more I learned about it, the more attractive working in social enterprise became.” - Justin Lopinski
Q: You’ve had all 3 work terms in social enterprise, how did you become interested in SE?
A: When I started working in my first work term at a social enterprise, I had very little idea about what a social enterprise was beyond the definition. I first consciously encountered social enterprise when conducting research in preparation for my interview for my first work term. My interest was piqued as social enterprise was a concept that was very unfamiliar to me at the time and the more I learned about it, the more attractive working in social enterprise became. Since my initial work term, I’ve pursued opportunities in social enterprise both in and out of province and I’ve been fortunate enough to work all three work terms in social enterprise.
Q: How does your joint degree play in your interest in SE?
A: I wouldn't say that my joint degree played into my interest in social enterprise. I've been able to apply skills and concepts I learned in political science and commerce in my work terms but their common ground for me lies in their application rather than with a common ideology. I guess what I'm trying to express is my choice to pursue a joint degree in political science and business is from an academic interest which is very different from my interest in social enterprise which is more based on an altruistic desire.
Q: What professional/personal growth did you receive by working at social enterprise related positions, and the Centre specifically?
A: Professionally, I feel like I’ve been given greater autonomy than many of my classmates to actively pursue projects and tasks that I believe aid in my professional development and technical skills. Personally, I feel like working in social enterprise and especially working for the Centre has broadened my perspective in understanding how different actors (government, community, private) work with each other within the ecosystem. Beyond that, I’ve really gained an appreciation for other disciplines within MUN that previously I haven’t had much exposure to.
Q: What advice would you give to a new work term student and would you recommend a WT associated with SE, such as the Centre?
A: I would recommend a work term with the Centre for Social Enterprise or work experience in social enterprise in general. Some advice I would give to a prospective work term student with the Centre specifically would be to be flexible, learn to adapt, and be ambitious.
Q: What was the biggest thing you took away from this work term?
A: Progress is incremental. Even though we live in a society used to instant gratification, to create real change or to complete a project one can be proud of, takes time. I saw this in completing my work term presentation but also through picking up projects and tasks left by previous work term students and then passing the torch on at the end of my work term.