Mitchell Chan wasn\u2019t in the running for a medal when he took to the cycling course at the Paris Olympics and Paralympics this summer.<\/p>\n
That didn\u2019t stop the crowds from cheering like the fourth-year Goodman School of Business double degree student was meant to be there, however.<\/p>\n
He was, but not as an athlete.<\/p>\n
Instead, Chan was helping to facilitate Olympic dreams for competitors in cycling and long-distance running events as the project manager setting up barriers and water stations for each sport. He was doing quality control when he got on a bike and caused fans to erupt, bringing his own Olympic dream to life.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was crazy. They were like, \u2018Allez! Go!\u2019 It was an incredible moment,\u201d Chan recalls. \u201cIn French, they say \u2018Prends plaisir\u2019 \u2014 find pleasure in the moments. I feel blessed this happened, that I had the chance to do this.\u201d<\/p>\n
The opportunity sprung from Chan\u2019s decision to attend Brock University\u2019s Goodman School of Business and its prestigious international double degree program.<\/p>\n
A natural athlete himself, Chan, who hails from Mississauga, had originally contemplated enrolling in Brock\u2019s Sport Management program. He was beckoned to the business school after learning about the double degree program and the opportunity it offered to study at Goodman and a European university, and earn two bachelor degrees in nearly the same time most students graduate with one.<\/p>\n
He would also be able to do co-op work terms in both Canada and abroad, gaining global experience and perspective in the process.<\/p>\n
Chan had been in French immersion throughout elementary and high school, so choosing the double degree track that would lead to NEOMA Business School in Reims, France, was an easy choice.<\/p>\n
It turned out to be one of the best choices he\u2019s made.<\/p>\n
When he moved to Reims in 2022 after completing his first two years at Goodman, he immediately fell in love. He joined NEOMA\u2019s rugby team and when it came time to complete his international co-op term, Chan found a job with Mainfreight, a global shipping and freight company.<\/p>\n
He showed his employer what he was capable of and returned to work for the company on contract as a business analyst. One of the company\u2019s clients happened to be involved with the Paris Games, which led to a unique opportunity.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey said it\u2019s a bit outside your comfort zone but would you be comfortable placing the black and yellow barriers instead of just transporting them for the cycling and marathon events?\u201d Chan says.<\/p>\n
As project manager charged with the job, Chan became a logistics expert. He planned and organized trucks and a team of about 80 people. Together, they had to precisely measure the placement of each barrier on a course that included complex curves and angles, and would host thousands of fans.<\/p>\n
There was set-up and tear down and set-up again for different events, each with their own unique layout.<\/p>\n
The hours were long. The adrenaline was plentiful to get him through. And the memories will last a lifetime.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe bonds I made, not just with people in the company I worked for but from everyone working at Paris 2024, it\u2019s incredible. We were there every day,\u201d Chan says. \u201cWe put in the grind.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now all that\u2019s left to do is finish a handful of courses for his Bachelor of Business Administration from Goodman. Meanwhile, with a degree in hand from NEOMA, Chan has embarked on an apprenticeship as a financial controller that includes a salaried job and tuition for his master\u2019s degree at NEOMA.<\/p>\n
Building a career and life in Europe come next.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m thankful for so many things,\u201d Chan says. \u201cIf I wasn\u2019t in the double degree program, this wouldn\u2019t have happened. I can\u2019t speak highly enough of the program.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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