Celebrating SFU Beedie graduate Harneet Gill, BBA

Harneet Gill

Harneet Gill will don a cap and gown on June 12 to celebrate earning a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA). Her journey through SFU Beedie has been marked by engaged learning and personal growth.

Gill once aspired to be a teacher, but a high school work experience program and a two-week internship at the Vancouver Film School’s HR department sparked her interest in human resources, leading her to pursue a BBA with a concentration in HR. SFU Beedie was Gill’s choice for its emphasis on experiential learning through co-ops, internships, and international exchange programs. The extracurricular opportunities and supportive community further solidified her decision, which she now knows was the right one for her.  “The school’s combination of academic rigour, practical experience, and a strong community made SFU Beedie the perfect choice for me, “she claims.

Gill took full advantage of the rich learning opportunities available to her. Through the Beedie Protégé Program and the Human Resources Student Association (HRSA), she gained invaluable insights and made connections.As a corporate relations coordinator for the Spring Soiree organizing committee in her first year, she honed her organizational and networking skills. Her involvement with Enactus as co-project manager for Count on Me, a project focused on financial literacy for young people, saw her team finish third in a regional competition in Calgary. Gill also participated in JDC West as an academic delegate for the HR team, and later as an HR team coach. Additionally, Gill contributed to the Business Administration Student Society (BASS), starting as a mentee in its mentorship program and progressing to vice-president of HR, receiving the Canadian Association of Business Students All-Star Executive award in 2022.

Participating in extracurricular activities enriched my university experience,” says Gill. “These opportunities not only broadened my skill set, but also opened doors to new passions, valuable networking opportunities, and lifelong friendships. I honed my leadership abilities, especially in decision-making, conflict resolution, and effective communication. I discovered the power of leading by example and the importance of creating a collaborative team environment.”

Gill also credits her extracurricular involvement with helping to secure co-op positions as a human resources coordinator at Belmar Consulting, a business analyst at Deloitte, and an HR and recruitment coordinator at Microserve, gaining practical experience that complemented her academic pursuits.

Even before starting university, Gill knew she wanted to do an international exchange, so one of the greatest highlights of her time at SFU Beedie was studying abroad in Amsterdam. “Amsterdam was a transformative experience. While overseas you continuously try new things, meet new people, and push yourself out of your comfort zone. I was growing as an individual throughout the whole experience,” she says. “The exchange, coupled with diverse interactions at SFU Beedie, has instilled in me a global mindset. I would highly recommend this to anyone who seeks adventure and learning.”

Post-graduation, Gill envisions a future in human capital consulting or HR, with aspirations to travel and work internationally. While her exact path remains uncertain, her time at SFU Beedie has equipped Gill with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to navigate whatever comes next.

As she prepares for convocation, Gill has advice for incoming SFU Beedie students: “Your experience is shaped by the effort you invest in it. Get involved, make the most of the opportunities, and avoid comparing your journey to others. Follow the path that feels right for you.”