October 24, 2024
At Seaspan, our InternSHIP program offers students invaluable hands-on experience, a supportive learning environment, and insights into the shipbuilding and marine industry.
We’re beyond excited to introduce our biggest cohort yet, 43 new and returning interns from a wide range of fields, including Engineering, Business, Computer Science and more.
Read our interviews with them below to get to know our fall cohort better:
Richlove Pherodin | Centre of Excellence Lab Intern
Tell us a little about your background:
- Hi, I am Richlove Pherodin and I am a Chemical Process Engineering student at the University of Alberta.
Describe your internship experience at Seaspan in one word. Why that word?
- Edifying. I chose the word because my internship provided me with valuable learning experiences that went beyond technical skills. It exposed me to real-world engineering challenges, taught me how to approach complex problems creatively and helped me grow professionally and personally.
What’s something you’re excited about during your internship term?
- I am excited about the opportunity to work directly with Dr. Hassan Saghafifar and gain experience with advanced testing techniques and equipment, especially in analyzing the properties of materials used in shipbuilding. It’s very interesting to see how these tests directly influence the safety and performance of vessels, and how even the smallest of improvements can lead to better ship designs. Contributing to projects that enhance the reliability and innovation of our ships is something I am looking forward to!
What is a unique interest or quirk you enjoy that others might not know about?
- I am deeply passionate about travelling and discovering the beauty of nature. Moving from Florida to Alberta and then to Vancouver has been a thrilling adventure. Exploring new places and being able to witness Vancouver’s skyline against the Pacific Ocean has been one of my favourite ways to unwind. The change of pace has been refreshing, and I am loving every moment of it!
Sammi Shih | Engineering Services Intern
Tell us a little about your background:
- Hello, my name is Sammi and I am double majoring in Business and Computer Science at UBC.
Describe your internship experience at Seaspan in one word. Why that word?
- Insightful. The internship offers me a deep understanding of how we can develop tools to streamline operations in different business functions and how to deliver solutions accurately to stakeholders’ interests and needs.
What’s something you’re excited about during your internship term?
- The project we are working on depends a lot on stakeholder engagement, and I am looking forward to working on a variety of projects and interacting with people from different disciplines.
What is a unique interest or quirk you enjoy that others might not know about?
- I knit; it is a very relaxing yet interesting hobby where I get to experiment with different yarns and patterns and save money during gifting seasons.
Sarah Tam | HR Systems Intern
Tell us a little about your background:
- Hi! My name is Sarah and I’m in my fourth year at SFU Beedie School of Business concentrating in HR and International Business with a minor in Communications.
Describe your internship experience at Seaspan in one word. Why that word?
- Transformative. This is a completely new role for me! I’ve never worked on systems before so this is definitely a learning experience I will take with me in the future.
What’s something you’re excited about during your internship term?
- Getting to learn how systems work and meeting new people!
What is a unique interest or quirk you enjoy that others might not know about?
- I love travelling! I’ve been on 18 cruises and been to around 35 countries.
Bryce Jacobs | Systems Planning Intern
Tell us a little about your background:
- Hi! My name is Bryce Jacobs and I’m currently majoring in Electrical Engineering at UBC.
Describe your internship experience at Seaspan in one word. Why that word?
- Fluid. The way I would describe my internship would be fluid because the plan is always being reiterated, so you always need to be quick on your toes and adapt to any new challenges you may come across.
What’s something you’re excited about during your internship term?
- I’m really excited about the JSS1 launch! We will finally get to see all our hard work on this project reach its first major milestone.
What is a unique interest or quirk you enjoy that others might not know about?
- I enjoy taking recreational hip-hop dance classes since I grew up doing competitive hip-hop.
Matthew Chen | United Way Campaign Intern
Tell us a little about your background:
- Hi, my name is Matthew Chen and I am double majoring in International Relations and Urban Planning, while pursuing Master of Management from UBC.
Describe your internship experience at Seaspan in one word. Why that word?
- Rewarding. I’ve met so many amazing colleagues and learned so much from my position. It has really taught me to be versatile and be able to adapt to different situations and I feel that I’ve grown a lot from my work.
What’s something you’re excited about during your internship term?
- I’m really excited to see the United Way campaign here at Seaspan come to life. It’s the main part of my role at the moment and I’ve been working really hard on it! To see the work our team has put in makes me really excited for campaign week to roll around.
What is a unique interest or quirk you enjoy that others might not know about?
- I’m a massive outdoors person, I go on hikes all the time and love anything that involves exploring! This piggybacks off the fact that I’m also a massive geography nerd and love everything maps and transportation-related.
Rhianna Chohan | Learning and Development Intern
Tell us a little about your background:
- Hi, I am Rhianna and I’m a student at Simon Fraser University’s, Beedie School of Business specializing in Human Resources and International Business.
Describe your internship experience at Seaspan in one word. Why that word?
- Foundational. My internship at Seaspan has been truly foundational. The experiences I have gained while working at Seaspan have exceeded all my previous educational encounters and have enriched my understanding of the industry. I feel honoured to be able to contribute to such impactful projects, and this experience has instilled a profound sense of achievement within me. The knowledge I am gaining here is not only shaping my professional trajectory but also igniting a deep appreciation for collaboration and innovation within me.
What’s something you’re excited about during your internship term?
- I am excited about each opportunity that has challenged me to grow, pushing me beyond my limits and enabling me to acquire practical skills that are invaluable for my future. I look forward to applying these lessons as I progress in my career.
What is a unique interest or quirk you enjoy that others might not know about?
- I love to cook, shop, and take daily nature walks. It’s my trifecta of fun!
Adarshpreet Kaur | Electronics Intern
Tell us a little about your background:
- Hi, I am Adarshpreet Kaur and I’m a Mechatronics Systems Engineering student at Simon Fraser University.
Describe your internship experience at Seaspan in one word. Why that word?
- Insightful. My experience has been incredibly insightful, especially regarding the electronics engineering processes in a large company. It’s been exciting to work on various aspects of the process across different ships, gaining a well-rounded understanding of the industry.
What’s something you’re excited about during your internship term?
- I’m excited to see my contributions come to life, from placing the equipment on the model to witnessing it installed on the actual ship. It’s rewarding to connect the dots between the design process and real-world application.
What is a unique interest or quirk you enjoy that others might not know about?
- I LOVE concerts and live music events.
Roger Trin | HRIS Intern
Tell us a little about your background:
- Hello, my name’s Roger Trinh and I am specializing in Operations Management and MIS at Simon Fraser University.
Describe your internship experience at Seaspan in one word. Why that word?
- Dynamic. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities to learn. Being part of the HRIS team during the system migration has pushed me to think critically and adapt quickly.
What’s something you’re excited about during your internship term?
- I’m really excited to be part of the integration project between our legacy E1 system and Oracle HCM. This integration is crucial because it will streamline workflow and create a more efficient, cohesive system for managing HR information. It’s rewarding to know that my work will contribute to a smoother process for the company moving forward. I’ve had the chance to analyze discrepancies between the systems which feels like I’m directly impacting how things will operate in the future.
What is a unique interest or quirk you enjoy that others might not know about?
- I’m a big fan of hitting the gym and reading manga. For me, these two hobbies go hand-in-hand. I enjoy the discipline and growth that comes from weightlifting—pushing myself to the limit. At the same time, manga offers a creative escape. Many of the characters I read about show perseverance and resilience, which mirrors the kind of mindset I strive for in the gym.
Uzair Abdul Ravoof | Project Engineering Intern
Tell us a little about your background:
- Hi! My name is Uzair Abdul Ravoof and I’m currently majoring in Mechanical Engineering at Dalhousie University.
Describe your internship experience at Seaspan in one word. Why that word?
- Collaborative. My internship depends heavily on everyone around me. Talking to and understanding different engineering leads is what makes it collaborative. This lets us, the project engineering team, advance the design phase efficiently.
What’s something you’re excited about during your internship term?
- I’m excited to see the launch of JSS1. It launches somewhere in December, and I really want to see the inauguration.
What is a unique interest or quirk you enjoy that others might not know about?
- I used to rock climb boulders semi-professionally. I could climb 6c very easily until I broke my elbow.
Uday Roy | Electronics Engineering Intern
Tell us a little about your background:
- Hi, my name is Uday Roy and I am a Mechatronics Engineering major at the University of Waterloo.
Describe your internship experience at Seaspan in one word. Why that word?
- Enlightening. I’m getting valuable, hands-on experiences with radar systems and simulation, deepening my knowledge of real-world engineering challenges and solutions in the maritime industry.
What’s something you’re excited about during your internship term?
- I’m excited to dive deeper into the software development for radar systems to ensure accurate radar simulation and seamless integration with the systems we’re using.
What is a unique interest or quirk you enjoy that others might not know about?
- I did Shotokan Karate for almost 10 years.
Tolu Olawumi | Structural Engineering Intern
Tell us a little about your background:
- Hi, I am Tolu Olawumi and I’m a Mechatronic Systems Engineering student at Simon Fraser University.
Describe your internship experience at Seaspan in one word. Why that word?
- Everchanging. Every day has been different, and things change here pretty quickly. From working on different parts of a project to learning something new on the fly, it’s been unpredictable, but in a way that keeps me engaged and I am constantly learning.
What’s something you’re excited about during your internship term?
- I’m really excited about gaining hands-on experience in ship design and construction. It’s one thing to study mechanical systems and another to be part of building large-scale, real-world structures like non-combat ships. Also, since I don’t live in North Vancouver, I’m looking forward to exploring the area and finding fun things to do around here. It’s been a great way to make the most of my time outside of work!
What is a unique interest or quirk you enjoy that others might not know about?
- I’m really into soccer. Whether it’s playing with friends or watching matches, soccer is my way to relax and stay active. I even enjoy analyzing the strategies behind the game. it’s a perfect balance of passion and teamwork!
Karan Maini | Corporate Supply Chain Intern
Tell us a little about your background:
- Hey, my name’s Karan Maini. I’m currently pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce at UBC and specializing in Operations and Logistics.
Describe your internship experience at Seaspan in one word. Why that word?
- Involved. My managers and their team have involved me in a lot of projects and meetings, always keeping me engaged and up-to-date with everything, making sure I am an active participant in many activities.
What’s something you’re excited about during your internship term?
- Having been involved in many of the projects the Corporate Supply Chain team works on, I am excited to continue learning about the inner workings of project delivery while working with new people from different teams. The collaboration between different departments at Seaspan has been fascinating to witness and I look forward to experiencing more of it!
What is a unique interest or quirk you enjoy that others might not know about?
- I am a big Formula 1 and video gaming fan!
Sarah Adjoa Kankam | Outfit Engineering Intern
Tell us a little about your background:
- Hi! My name is Sarah Adjoa Kankam and I am a Mechanical Engineering student at the University of British Columbia.
Describe your internship experience at Seaspan in one word. Why that word?
- Spreadsheet. I’ve done so much on Excel that I have it pinned!
What’s something you’re excited about during your internship term?
- I’m looking forward to learning as much as I can. I know how essential diverse experiences are to problem-solving.
What is a unique interest or quirk you enjoy that others might not know about?
- Think of any creative/artistic hobby and I’ve probably tried it! From sewing, crocheting, and nails to braiding my own hair!
Nicolas Briggs-sauvé | Welding Engineering Intern
Tell us a little about your background:
- Hey, my name is Nicolas and I am currently pursuing a BAsc in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ottawa.
Describe your internship experience at Seaspan in one word. Why that word?
- Enriching. This experience has helped expose me to the domain of welding engineering. It has given me the ability to apply what I’ve learned in school about material science to a practical setting and helped me expand my knowledge of metallurgical processes.
What’s something you’re excited about during your internship term?
- I’m excited to learn more about shipbuilding as a whole and explore all of the mechanical systems needed for a ship to function. I’m looking forward to learning from industry professionals and gaining experience in my field of study.
What is a unique interest or quirk you enjoy that others might not know about?
- I am a soccer goalie so if you ever need one in your recreation team, let me know.
Colby Ng | Mechanical Engineering Intern
Tell us about yourself:
- I’m a fresh out of first year Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate at the University of Waterloo.
Describe your internship experience at Seaspan in one word. Why that word?
- Technical. Everything I’ve worked on has very specific handling, integration and uses. Learning how all the systems integrate is much more technical than I expected.
What’s something you’re excited about during your internship term?
- I’m excited to see the JSS1 launch. Working in engineering, it’s nice to see things you work on in CAD or drawings come to life. Getting to see the official launch into the water will be an awesome experience where you really get to see all the work put into something physical.
What is a unique interest or quirk you enjoy that others might not know about?
- I’m partially color blind, so a lot of the time I have trouble distinguishing between colors which makes looking through models/diagrams tough sometimes.
Nila Ravichandran | Change Planning Intern
Tell us about yourself:
- My name is Nila Ravichandran and I am in my fourth year of Biomedical Engineering at UBC.
Describe your internship experience at Seaspan in one word. Why that word?
- Purposeful. The work I am doing directly impacts projects and people within the company. My managers have given me tasks that are stepping stones towards larger responsibilities. They have structured my work in a way that helps me build the skills and experience to eventually take on roles similar to the actual Planners here.
What’s something you’re excited about during your internship term?
- I am excited about eventually getting to plan my own section of the ship. It’s a big responsibility, but I love the idea of taking on that kind of challenge and seeing how all the skills I am learning now will come into play. I am also looking forward to shadowing other engineers, such as the liaison, to get a broader understanding of how different engineering teams collaborate outside of my department.
What is a unique interest or quirk you enjoy that others might not know about?
- I’m amazing at pool. It’s a skill I was born with. No one has beaten me in four years.
Iris Li | Structural Engineering Intern
Tell us a little about your background.
- I am a third-year civil engineering student at UVIC, currently on my second co-op term at Seaspan.
Describe your internship experience at Seaspan in one word. Why that word?
- Immersive. I chose this word because my internship has been a deep dive into understanding the shipbuilding process from a structural perspective.
What’s something you’re excited about during your internship term?
- I am excited about getting hands-on experience with the design and structural aspects of large vessels, which is a unique opportunity.
What is a unique interest or quirk you enjoy that others might not know about?
- I love collecting and solving different kinds of puzzles. It is a great way for me to unwind and stay mentally sharp at the same time.
Kirti Saxena | Innovation Intern
Tell us a little about your background:
- Hey, I am Kirti Saxena, and I am a Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Toronto.
Describe your internship experience at Seaspan in one word. Why that word?
- Innovative. I have been doing a lot of researching, creating, coding and designing products from scratch.
What’s something you’re excited about during your internship term?
- I am excited to see some of my projects completed and what the output of them would be. I am also looking forward to working on projects that fall within the autonomy and robotics sector of the team and digital ship.
What is a unique interest or quirk you enjoy that others might not know about?
- I am on Team Canada for Wrestling, and you might see me in the gym here and there.
Aamir Ahmed | Quality Assurance Intern
Tell us a little about your background:
- I am a Term 5 Mechanical Engineering student at Memorial University of Newfoundland, with practical experience in service engineering and customer relations.
Describe your internship experience at Seaspan in one word. Why that word?
- Dynamic. This internship has been a great learning experience. I’ve had the chance to jump into different projects, from QA Standard Operating Procedures to audit management, all while working with various teams. It’s been an exciting opportunity to constantly learn and adapt in a real-world setting.
What’s something you’re excited about during your internship term?
- I’m excited about contributing to process improvements within the QA team. From helping to streamline quality metrics reporting to enhancing Standard Operating Procedures, I’m eager to dive into projects that ensure our processes are efficient and safe across the shipyard’s operations.
What is a unique interest or quirk you enjoy that others might not know about?
- I have a keen interest in cooking. I enjoy experimenting with different ingredients, techniques, and flavours from all over the world. Cooking allows me to experience diverse cultures through their culinary traditions and is my favourite way to relax and learn something new.
Marishka De Jesus | Electrical Engineering Intern
Tell us a little about your background:
- Hello! My name is Marishka De Jesus and I am an Electrical Engineering major at the University of Victoria.
Describe your internship experience at Seaspan in one word. Why that word?
- Diverse. This internship gives me the opportunity to work on a variety of tasks and projects while engaging with a diverse range of individuals.
What’s something you’re excited about during your internship term?
- I am thrilled that this internship allows me to have hands-on experience on meaningful projects, where I can actually see the impact of my contributions.
What is a unique interest or quirk you enjoy that others might not know about?
- I run, spin, and rock climb!
Tim Seja | Operations Finance Intern
Tell us a little about your background:
- My name is Tim, I’m an Economics and Finance major at the University of Victoria.
Describe your internship experience at Seaspan in one word. Why that word?
- Novel. I’m learning a lot of new and very interesting things as this is my first work experience in the shipbuilding industry.
What’s something you’re excited about during your internship term?
- Collaborating with people from very different backgrounds. From finance, engineers, health and safety professionals to trades, I’m learning a lot from them. It’s great seeing the company from so many different perspectives.
What is a unique interest or quirk you enjoy that others might not know about?
- I like to bake my own bread!
Tamunoibim Pepple | Requirements and Acceptance Intern
Tell us a little about your background:
- Hello! My name is Tamunoibim Ruth Pepple, and I am an international student from Nigeria currently studying at Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Describe your internship experience at Seaspan in one word. Why that word?
- Interesting. Working with the ship acceptance team has really been a unique experience for me. I got to experience the onsite inspection as well as documentation processes. My team also got to collaborate with different departments and those interactions were very impactful moments for me.
What’s something you’re excited about during your internship term?
- I enjoyed going on the ship and working with other team members to figure out solutions to some of the documentation issues.
What is a unique interest or quirk you enjoy that others might not know about?
- I enjoy reading novels and news on politics