I’m Kate Everett, a third-year student pursuing a degree in business at Western University in London, Ontario. Having grown up in Winnipeg, I’ve valued the opportunity to gain professional experience back home during my summers while completing my studies out of province the remainder of the year.
Through my academic journey, I’ve taken courses in finance, economics, human resources, and marketing. These studies have influenced my professional interests. This mix has also helped me develop a knack for roles that intersect strategy, finance, and people. Over the past year, my interest in real estate has grown, particularly where investment strategy and asset management join.
My first summer at Cushman & Wakefield | Stevenson: An introduction to the industry
Last summer, I completed my first internship with Cushman and Wakefield | Stevenson, where I supported the Marketing and Human Resources teams under the direction of Paige Bouchard (Director, Marketing & Brokerage) and Maddie Whitla (Vice President, Human Resources). My goal was to explore various avenues of the organization and gain practical experience to further my business education. I was eager to apply the knowledge I learned through school in a meaningful way.
Delivering donations to Sunshine House (2024)
The role was a fantastic introduction to both Cushman & Wakefield | Stevenson and commercial real estate. I gained valuable exposure to internal communications, recruitment, and company branding. I particularly enjoyed helping with employee engagement initiatives and supporting with corporate events. It gave me hands-on experience in fostering company culture. I also learned to manage multiple priorities, communicate professionally across departments, and contribute to projects that directly impact our teams.
Supporting with Ice Cream Day, an employee engagement event (2024)
Returning for a second summer: Building on what I’ve learned
After a rewarding first summer, I was offered an opportunity to return to Cushman & Wakefield | Stevenson and was excited to accept and build on what I’d learned at Western during my second year. It was an opportunity to gain further exposure to the areas that aligned with my finance major. This time around, I’ve focused on accounting and human resources, alongside asset management.
Sorting and packing donations for wildfire evacuees in Manitoba (2025)
This summer has been rewarding. The projects I’ve worked on have allowed me to bridge academic learnings with practical experience. My tasks have included interpreting financial data, using Excel for modelling and analysis, and applying concepts from HR coursework to better understand team dynamics.
I have grown both technically and personally. On the hard skills side I’ve refined my Excel capabilities, learned new reporting tools, and deepened my understanding of the commercial real estate industry. On the soft skills front, I’ve gained confidence in collaborating across departments and navigating professional environments. I also value the work-life balance I’ve been able to strike this summer.
While my work has been challenging, I’ve also made time to enjoy life outside the office. I spend most weekends at my family cottage. Whether I’m spending time on the dock, going for a morning jog, or sitting around the fire with friends, the lake has been a place where I can recharge. I’ve come to appreciate my Manitoba summers. Having a place to reset on the weekends allows me to contribute my best work during the week.
Continuing to grow and explore as a young professional
What I enjoy most about working with Cushman & Wakefield | Stevenson is the people and culture. I have found the team to be welcoming, supportive and genuinely invested in helping me grow in my expressed areas of interest. I have always felt like a valued part of the team. The variety of work, learning opportunities and responsibilities I’ve been given make me proud of the work I’ve been a part of.
Delivering donations for wildfire evacuees in Manitoba (2025)
I’m excited for the remaining part of my summer with Cushman & Wakefield | Stevenson and for the opportunity to grow and explore as a young professional. This internship has reinforced to me the kind of work I hope to pursue in the future.
