Author: Adiki Puplampu
Date: 26 June 2025
For the ELITE Program, facilitating opportunities for Black youth to be exposed to real-world industry-focused innovation experiences is always top of mind. Whether it’s working directly on scientific projects or walking the floor of a major industrial operation, these experiences make abstract career aspirations real for youth probing various career paths. Experiential learning helps shape young people’s professional goals and invites them to examine careers they otherwise might not have considered.
Over the past few months, ELITE Program intern alumni have been invited to tour the facilities of two major Canadian companies. First came the opportunity to visit the Imperial/Esso Strathcona Refinery. During the tour, organized by the Black Employees Support Team (BEST) at Imperial, students were able to observe up close the operations of the refinery laboratory, the operating facilities, the steam and electricity generation plant, and received an introduction to the renewable diesel plant that is currently under construction. Following the tour, students had a lunch time meet-and-greet with employees from the BEST team and members of the leadership team at Imperial. Originally founded in 1991, the mission of the BEST initiative is to “improve Black employees’ leadership and technical capabilities to further the business objectives of Imperial.” The first chapter established outside of the United States was launched in Canada in 2017 and the initiative became active at the Strathcona Refinery three years ago. During the meet-and-greet, students benefited from conversations with professionals and leaders in positions they may one day occupy.
“Imperial has created a STEM strategy for our community investment programs. Specifically, we are looking to support organizations that deliver STEM programming, with a focus on under-represented groups, to help build a long-term talent pipeline.”
- David Akande, Operations Support Department Leader (Strathcona Refinery, Imperial)
Geared towards engineering and science students, students interested in energy systems, and those with a curiosity for environmental studies, the tour gave students insight into how their academic interests might translate into the practical work of an organization like Imperial.
“Plant tours provide an opportunity for ELITE [Program] interns to make practical connections to theoretical concepts and envision future STEM careers. It provides a networking opportunity to meet and directly engage black professionals who could be mentors as they make critical career decisions. It also supports our commitment to community engagement and creates opportunities for our employees to showcase their contributions to STEM.”
- David Akande
The second tour followed a few months later and was hosted by the Canadian National Railway Company (CN Rail) at the CN Edmonton Rail operations yard, one of the largest rail operations yards in North America. On the CN Rail side, organization of the tour was led by t’Olu Adesanwo, an Account Manager at CN Rail.
“I completed my master’s degree in chemical engineering at the University of Alberta, and at the time, the only industry I was familiar with or interested in was Oil & Gas. I had very little knowledge about the railroad sector or the career opportunities it offered. I often say that I stumbled into the railroad industry ‘by accident,’ and I was amazed by the variety of career paths available. For me, getting CN to facilitate this tour is a way to bridge the knowledge gap I once had — a gap that I believe many undergraduates still face when it comes to understanding opportunities in the railroad industry.”
- t’Olu Adesanwo, Account Manager, CN Rail
Putting on hard hats and bright yellow safety vests, students walked the facility floor, coming face to face with CN Rail’s iconic red trains. They toured the rail traffic control centre, where all train traffic in Canada is managed along with the Mechanical Operations Centre, where the locomotives and railcars are maintained and repaired. Students also met and received a presentation from CN Rail Vice President of Network Operations, Cassandra Mullee, and heard from technicians and engineers about their career development at CN Rail.
“Students, especially immigrants (and Black students), often struggle to secure Co-op positions—I personally didn’t have that opportunity despite my best efforts. But going on a tour like this provides insight into what it’s really like to work in the industry, whether as a process engineer, a train conductor, or a transportation engineer.”
- t’Olu Adesanwo
The learning opportunity provided by these tours provided invaluable exposure and career insights to the students at a pivotal moment in their career development. The ELITE Program, the Faculty of Engineering, and the University of Alberta appreciates the engagement and outreach from Imperial and CN Rail as active and enthusiastic hosts and for their continued stewardship with the ELITE Program.
If you work for an organization interested in coordinating a tour or experiential learning opportunity with ELITE Program interns or alumni, please contact us at elite@ualberta.ca.