Meet Hadley Bent - Engineering & Maintenance Co-op Student with our Sawmills Division

At J.D. Irving, Limited, students gain valuable job experiences that give them the skills to succeed for work post-graduation. 

Hadley Bent knows this well. An Engineering & Maintenance co-op student at the Truro sawmill, Hadley has had the opportunity to work in a variety of roles and be involved in projects ranging from maintenance planning and process improvement initiatives to reliability-focused design work. 

"Whether I was working alongside seasoned managers or troubleshooting issues with operators, I was given meaningful responsibilities, not just tasks to fill time. The JDI culture encourages asking questions, stepping outside your comfort zone, and being proactive in finding improvements,” Hadley said. 

Far more than just work experience, Hadley said her co-op terms have allowed her to develop practical, hands-on skills that have shaped how she approaches challenges in real-world settings. This in turn, has stretched her abilities in critical thinking, adaptability and collaboration. 

Hadley’s experience has also opened doors to meet other students and make connections. As a Student Ambassador for JDI at Acadia University, where she studied Industrial Engineering, Hadley was able to share her personal experiences with other students. This fall Hadley will continue her Industrial Engineering studies at Dalhousie University.  

“It also gave me the chance to reflect on how much I’ve grown as a student and to encourage others to explore similar opportunities,” Hadley said.  

“JDI didn’t just give me experience in my field of interest, it gave me clarity about my future career. I’ve come a long way in understanding industrial engineering in practice, along with the confidence that I can make a real impact.” 

Are you a student looking for a fulfilling work term that pushes you to grow and contribute while making a difference? Visit http://careers.jdirving.com to see open opportunities and apply.