Our internship program offers young talent the chance to gain valuable, real-world corporate experience. Our interns work closely with our fintech leaders and team members, learning through hands-on projects and collaboration. They become part of our team, contributing to meaningful work that supports our business. This experience helps them develop practical skills and gain insights into the fast-evolving fintech industry.
In this series, we’re excited to introduce you to some of the talented individuals who have been making their mark during their internships. From their unique insights to the lessons they’ve learned, get to know the bright minds shaping the future of Journey Capital.
If you want to connect with our People & Culture team to discuss future opportunities, send us a note or your CV to hr@journeycapital.ca, or get started by visiting our Careers page.
Caroline Wood, Risk Intern
Q: What drew you to intern at Journey Capital, and how does this opportunity align with your career goals?
Journey Capital takes pride in being a people-first lender helping SMBs succeed and bring them one step closer to making their aspirations a reality. As someone who is exploring different areas of business to pursue such as banking and consulting, is passionate about volunteering, and creating an impact in people’s lives, Journey Capital was such an amazing experience for me this summer. I really enjoyed my finance classes in my 2nd year of university, and the risk component really sparked my interest which led me to the Risk team at Journey Capital. At Journey Capital, I had the opportunity to get hands on experience analyzing files, I developed credit analysis skills and most importantly, I was passionate about what I was doing. Even as an intern I made an impact in the process that allows SMBs to succeed. This opportunity truly aligned with my passion for business and reminded me how important it is to me to choose a career that will make an impact on people’s daily lives.
Q: Can you share a project or task you’re excited to work on at Journey Capital and why?
One project that I was particularly excited to work on was creating training documents for the RCCA and Underwriting teams on a new platform called Trainual. I loved having my own project to work on and enjoyed closely collaborating with all the members of both teams to make it happen. Close collaboration allowed me to document everything comprehensively. The goal was to make onboarding new team members more seamless and faster than before. Moreover, training information is more assessable and easier to refer to when questions come up. This project truly allowed me to be curious, learn a lot in a short period of time, ask numerous questions, and really get to know everyone on the team, which was a priority for me.
Additionally, this project provided me with the opportunity to enhance my communication, attention to detail, and analytical skills. By working closely with the RCCA and Underwriting (UW) teams, I gained a deeper understanding of their processes and workflows. This experience not only allowed me to build strong relationships with team members but also provided me with extensive knowledge of Journey’s risk analysis process, including the PPSA, Corporate registry, Personal credit, Business credit, Bank statements, Financial statements, and calculating competitor balances. Regardless of the career path I ultimately pursue, I have acquired valuable and transferable skills in commercial lending that will help me in the future.
Q: What have you enjoyed most about your internship experience at Journey Capital so far?
I have really enjoyed challenging myself and pushing my comfort zones. The opportunity to learn new things by failing and making mistakes has been incredibly valuable. Each mistake has been a learning experience, helping me grow.
Additionally, the monthly anchor days have been a strong highlight. I really enjoyed going to the office a few times a week because it allowed me to build stronger relationships with UW, RCCA, Sales and the Upper management team. Shoutout to Naah, I loved sitting at the desk in front of you all summer, you work so hard, I will miss you!
The Journey Capital Summerfest in June was another highlight of my time at Journey. Getting the company together in a non-professional setting was so much fun. I loved participating in the team building activities at the Arcade (organized by the Social Team, so shoutout to them!). The laughter, community and people made this event so much fun!
Overall, the combination of challenging myself, learning from my mistakes, and the after-work events made my internship experience at Journey Capital so memorable.
Q: How would you describe the company culture at Journey Capital, and what aspects have stood out to you the most since you joined?
Several aspects of the company culture have stood out to me at Journey this summer. The supportive environment at Journey is one of a kind. From the very beginning, I felt welcomed and encouraged to ask all my questions, seek second opinions, and request further explanations without any hesitation.
Collaboration is another key aspect of Journey Capital’s culture that I really appreciated this summer. Working closely with various teams and learning from different people in the office provided me with a deeper understanding of how Journey operates day to day. Furthermore, being at the office with Sales expanded my understanding of our application process before files are pushed to RCCA and UW for review.
Inclusivity and recognition are also highly valued at Journey Capital. As an intern, I have felt recognized and valued for my contributions. With patience and kindness, the Risk teams guided me through both the RCCA and UW teams to fully understand the fundamentals and their analysis processes. This inclusive atmosphere has made me feel like a valued member of the team, and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow in such a positive environment. Overall, the culture at Journey Capital is full of support, collaboration, and inclusivity, making my internship experience unforgettable.
Q: Can you share an experience where the Journey Capital team has supported or inspired you during your internship?
When reflecting on my experiences at Journey Capital, I realize that there wasn’t just one moment where I felt supported or inspired; rather, it was a consistent feeling throughout my entire experience.
To begin, I spent time with the entire RCCA team, learning their processes thoroughly before I could start creating training documents. I then moved to the Underwriting team, starting from scratch once again, and later returned to the RCCA team to begin analyzing files. As an intern with limited experience, I had the opportunity to apply the knowledge I gained from creating training documents as a member of RCCA.
I would like to say a huge thank you and shoutout to Melanie, Sandy, Emilie, Nicoleta, Mariangel, Stavroula, Jon, Andreas, Francisco, Stephen, Carina, Albana, and Mona for not only guiding me through your analysis process but for your patience and kindness guiding me through the fundamentals. Even after a month of analyzing files, I still have much to learn and many mistakes to make, so I am incredibly grateful to everyone for taking my calls and answering all my questions. I couldn’t have done it without your support.
I also want to give a huge shoutout to everyone outside of the Risk Team that I was lucky enough to meet at the Summerfest and at the office this summer, thank you for taking the time to get to know me, you made me feel so welcome and a part of the Journey. The support I received throughout this summer has been truly remarkable. During my learning experience, I never felt embarrassed or afraid to ask questions, seek a second opinion, or request further explanations. As an intern, I never expected to feel such a high level of support, encouragement, and recognition from the amazing team at Journey Capital.
How do Journey Capital’s core values resonate with you, and how have you seen them in action during your internship?
Journey’s core values resonate with me as a trusted, people-first lender that aims to bring the dreams of entrepreneurs to life. Journey really believes and invests in a personable experience for its customers and a very flexible environment for its employees. This resonates with me as someone who really values people and has a desire to help and make an impact in the world. Journey believes in transparency and responsible lending, which really sets this team apart. I really resonate with Journey’s flexibility of a remote or hybrid workplace. This allows employees the flexibility to work from the space they are most comfortable in. I believe that flexibility is the key to success and a happy workplace. Everyone is willing to help, give advice, and support and get to know who you are.
I have seen these in action during my internship as employees work remotely from different countries for a limited time, taking advantage of French courses and taking flex days when needed. When I go into the office, everyone is so kind, welcoming and inviting, creating such a collaborative and positive work environment.
What has been the most challenging aspect of your internship, and how did you overcome it?
One of the most challenging parts of my internship was the adjustment to Salesforce and Excel. During my first training week with RCCA, I was shadowing and taking notes to understand the big picture. I discovered throughout the training that the best way for me to learn was actually doing the process myself and having a team member watch me instead. So, it took some time to adjust to it because I had never used Salesforce but now, I can say that I am so much more comfortable with Salesforce. When it came to Excel, balancing bank statements became easier with time and practice but definitely was difficult at the beginning.
Another small challenge was adjusting to remote work, as someone who really enjoys working in company with someone or working collaboratively with at least one other person, it took a little bit of adjusting. As I was still learning the RCCA process, I did have meetings with my team often, which helped me a lot. One of the most challenging parts of my internship was the adjustment to Salesforce and Excel. During my first training week with RCCA, I was shadowing and taking notes to understand the big picture. I discovered throughout the training that the best way for me to learn was actually doing the process myself and having a team member watch me instead. So, it took some time to adjust to it because I had never used Salesforce but now, I can say that I am so much more comfortable with Salesforce. When it came to Excel, balancing bank statements became easier with time and practice but definitely was difficult at the beginning.
Another small challenge was adjusting to remote work, as someone who really enjoys working in company with someone or working collaboratively with at least one other person, it took a little bit of adjusting. As I was still learning the RCCA process, I did have meetings with my team often, which helped me a lot.
Q: What advice would you give to future interns about making the most of their experience at Journey Capital?
Some advice I would give to any future interns would be to make meaningful connections with as many people as you can because everyone is willing to chat, give advice, and help. The people at Journey are one of a kind, so supportive and willing to help so don’t take that for granted. The 4 months goes by fast.
Another piece of advice that goes hand in hand is going to the office as often as you can, this really helped me get to know my director, manager, my team, and people from other teams that I wouldn’t have met if I hadn’t gone into the office. If going into the office isn’t possible as much as you’d like, I think it’s important to take initiatives to schedule meeting times with people from the office or participating in after-work events. Connecting with people at work makes work more fun and these are relationships you’ll keep forever.
It’s also important to note that Journey wants to hear your input about how the internship is going to best cater the experience, as much as they can, to your goals. It’s important to be open and honest with your director/manager so they can best help moving forward. Furthermore, don’t be afraid to speak up and suggest other things you can do that will better your experience. Journey will do their best to give you a great experience.
Q: Any advice you would have for Journey Capital to improve interns experience with us?
I had such an amazing experience this summer, the only advice I would give would be organizing a small get together for the interns who are interning at the time. As the internship program progresses and grows, I think this would be a great opportunity for other interns to get together.
Max Stern
Q: What drew you to intern at Journey Capital, and how does this opportunity align with your career goals?
Max: I was drawn to Journey Capital because it provided the opportunity to connect with hardworking individuals and gain insights into the business world, particularly from the sales and policy perspectives within the People and Culture division. This aligned with my long-term interests in pursuing a career in law and business.
Q: Can you share a project or task you’re excited to work on at Journey Capital and why?
Max: I was particularly excited about working on policy-related projects, as this closely aligns with my strong interest in law, which I am actively pursuing in my studies with the goal of attending law school. This experience provided valuable insight into the kind of work I will be helping clients with in the future, while also contributing to a meaningful project that benefited Journey Capital.
Q: How would you describe the company culture at Journey Capital, and what aspects have stood out to you the most since you joined?
I would describe the company culture as friendly, hardworking, and like a family away from home. Everyone is genuinely caring and focused on making you feel comfortable, whether at the workplace or at events. I remember my first event, the Bikes for Tykes initiative, where I met many of my colleagues. Everyone was so welcoming, smiling, and asking sincere questions to get to know me better, which helped me connect with them as well.
At the office, I had the unique opportunity to work alongside Natalie Bowmer, Journey Capital’s VP of People & Culture, and Harley Greenspoon, one of the original founders, while feeling supported to learn new skills.
I’m truly happy to have been a part of Journey’s story.
Q: What did you enjoy most about your internship experience at Journey Capital?
Max: I enjoyed the people at Journey Capital the most. Everyone I have spoken to has been very friendly and outgoing. I love getting to know everyone, working alongside one another, and hearing about everyone’s unique path to finding their way to Journey Capital.
Q: Can you share an experience where the Journey Capital team has supported or inspired you during your internship?
Max: My first project at Journey Capital involved working with the sales team on data entry. Midway through, I was asked to shift my focus to a smaller project that required thorough, accurate work and needed to be completed as quickly as possible. I immediately switched gears, finished the task, and sent it in promptly.
Afterwards, several people, including some I hadn’t met before, reached out to tell me how well it was done and expressed their appreciation. Those small gestures had a big impact on me, motivating me to always put my best effort into my work—not only to meet expectations but to exceed them. It gave me a sense of accomplishment and pride in going above and beyond.
Q: How do Journey Capital’s core values resonate with you, and how have you seen them in action during your internship?
Max: I truly admire the values at Journey Capital. The company promotes not just hard work, but the importance of enjoying what you do. The team is incredibly welcoming and highly organized, always ready to support you while pushing you to grow. They challenge you in meaningful ways, helping you become not just a better professional, but a better person than when you first started your journey here.
Q: What advice would you give to future interns about making the most of their experience at Journey Capital?
Max: My advice would be to take full advantage of the hybrid work setup. While commuting downtown, especially if you’re an hour or more away, may not always be ideal, the value of in-person collaboration with the team is worth it. Being around others fosters stronger connections and a more dynamic work environment.
If you enjoy what you do, you’ll find yourself working better, harder, and more efficiently. I’d encourage making the extra effort to engage with your colleagues in person—it can really elevate both your work and your relationships.
Alexa Goldberg
Q: What drew you to intern at Journey Capital, and how does this opportunity align with your career goals?
Alexa: As a business student studying finance, I was drawn to Journey Capital because of its strong reputation in the industry and its innovative approach. The opportunity to intern at a company that is deeply involved in financing and strategic growth really aligned with my career goals.
I wanted to gain hands-on experience in a dynamic environment where I could apply the concepts I’ve learned in school to real-world situations. This internship has given me the chance to not only deepen my understanding of finance but also to see how different financial strategies are implemented across various sectors.
Q: Can you share a project or task you were excited to work on at Journey Capital and why?
Alexa: During my internship at Journey Capital, I had the incredible opportunity to work on a project focused on financing a new market segment. This experience was particularly rewarding because it struck the perfect balance between working independently and collaborating with a team. I met regularly with leadership to discuss the project, overcame any roadblocks, and brainstormed ideas, which really helped shape its direction.
One of the highlights was how the project connected with various aspects of the business. I had the chance to sit in on meetings across different departments. Additionally, presenting my final project to different teams and incorporating their feedback was a valuable learning experience. Overall, it was an enriching experience, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity.
Q: What did you enjoy most about your internship experience at Journey Capital?
Alexa: What I’ve enjoyed most about my internship experience at Journey Capital is the opportunity to learn about the company. It’s been eye-opening to see how different departments work together and to sit in on various meetings. This exposure has provided me with a thorough understanding of the business, which I’ve found exceptionally valuable.
Q: How would you describe the company culture at Journey Capital, and what aspects stood out to you the most?
Alexa: The company culture at Journey Capital is incredibly supportive and collaborative, with a strong emphasis on teamwork. From day one, I felt valued and included, as everyone is open to ideas and feedback regardless of role. The flexibility to work from anywhere and the focus on professional growth also stood out to me, making it a rewarding place to learn and contribute as an intern.
Q: How do Journey Capital’s core values resonate with you, and how have you seen them in action during your internship?
Alexa: Journey Capital’s values of trust and a human touch resonate deeply with me. Throughout my internship, I’ve seen these values in action, especially when working on customer testimonial videos. Clients consistently spoke about how much they valued the convenience Journey Capital offered, as well as the personal attention they received.
These testimonials were a testament to the company’s dedication to not just meeting, but exceeding customer expectations. The focus on milestones and achievements in these stories also highlighted the importance Journey Capital places on celebrating client success.
Q: What advice would you give to future interns about making the most of their experience at Journey Capital?
Alexa: My advice to future interns would be to take full advantage of the opportunities to learn and contribute. Be proactive in seeking out projects that interest you, and don’t be afraid to ask questions or share your ideas. Journey Capital offers a wealth of knowledge, so immerse yourself fully and make the most of the mentorship and resources available.