Atlantic Canada

Finding a Way: 10 Years Later

Jerome Downey (St. FX vs. MTA Homecoming , 2007)

Arriving At Mount Allison

In September of 2003 my life changed forever it was the first time I arrived at Mount Allison University officially as a student athlete. I remember it just like yesterday it was a hot clear sunny afternoon my grandparents drove me from Halifax, NS to the small town of Sackville, NB just a 10 minute drive from the provincial border far enough to be away close enough to visit home.

Along with many new rookies and experienced veterans we all arrived on campus a few days before the rest of the students because training camp was starting and we had to prepare for the season ahead. Earlier in July that summer I suffered a season ending injury tearing my left Achilles in the bronze medal game vs. Team Ontario while playing for Team Nova Scotia at the Canadian 19-Under National Football Championships in Ottawa, ON. Arriving on campus in a walking boot knowing I wouldn’t’ be able to play my first year was difficult as a scholarship athlete recipient I wanted to prove myself worthy.

The Recruitment

When being recruited to Mount Alison the Head Coach at the time was Scott Fawcett, during a home visit he brought a legendary player with him named Derrick Furry a Linebacker who played the same position as me. He was tough as nails and could hit hard as a hammer a CFL draft pick I respected him a lot. The motto going into the 2003 season was “Find A Way”, coach was perfectly aware of the challenge Mount Allison faced when competing for talent with other bigger schools across Canada. With limited resources and recent success on the field the biggest highlight emphasized during his home recruitment visit was the academic excellence Mount Allison has always maintained. It was that high standard of accountability and academic excellence that swayed my decision to become a Mountie.

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Personal Reflections: Western Training

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Cory Devoe, is a 25 year old Journeyman Pipefitter, From Newfoundland & Labrador. That I trained with on a project outside Grande Prairie, Alberta with Reed Energy Group.

A new chapter begins 

Life is about making decisions and some are easier than others but all have consequences. The reality of these decisions when unprepared to face them can be emotionally damaging, and lead a person astray.   

“Believe in your vision, and work hard to achieve your dream. Never quit, live with  integrity, unite, don’t divide.” – Lessons From My Grandfather 

When deciding to advance my education it required me to move from my home and love in Ottawa, ON Canada. Unlike many of my peers who choose to advance their education by enrolling in a Masters degree. After 7 years of work experience in the finance and business technology sector, I felt that there was a missing element to my professional development that needed to be addressed. I needed to develop a hard skill, that would compensate well and support my life and small family. Despite my strong academic background and proven abilities the excess supply of undergraduates and limited demand made this a differentiation characteristic I knew would be valuable in the present, and future. 

I have learned project management, procurement, health & safety, engineered drawings, and the importance of financial controls at a ground level, not to mention how to cut, thread, measure, and assemble steel production; this experience has helped balance out my liberal arts, urban, digital perspectives and allowed me to see first hand the true potential of Canadian industry development and the importance of the Build Force Canada initiative. 

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Recapping The Past & Moving Forward

Finally, my first real post. 

When I set this website up 3 years ago its original and sole purpose was to serve as my campaign website for the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) Election’s in 2008.Since that time my life has changed significantly so now this site is going to be a simple blog that will focus on Entrepreneurship, Politics and Business.

An Early Start

I was 23 years old straight out of university and working for the bank when I first decided to run. I had big ideas, huge goals, and large ambitions; probably inspired by all the progressive higher learning I was doing at Mount Allison University. Deep down I knew I had to run at a young age because that experience would help me in the long run in the future. I also wanted to give back to the community that helped raise me. Coming back from school I witnessed a city that was once very proud and united, divided and not confident. Something needed to be done, someone had to step up,  so I did. Ex. (I wanted to talk about things like Re-investing in youth recreational programs, and development  not about “cat bi-laws” and “decaying buildings.”) It was never about my ego, just common sense.

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