For Moneris' 2026 summer students, it meant leading projects that mattered, contributing ideas that shaped real outcomes, building confidence through new challenges, and forming connections that will last well beyond the summer.
As the 2026 summer student program comes to a close, we sat down with five students, Akshayan Rajendran, Marisa Arasakumar, Ananya Sajith Chenat, Maya Atwal, and Brisa Pannu, to reflect on their experiences at Moneris. While each student's journey was unique, their stories consistently pointed to four themes that shaped their summer experience: impactful work, personal growth, supportive relationships, and the opportunity to bring fresh perspectives to the table.Many students begin a summer internship wondering how much they'll actually get to contribute. Will they spend most of their time observing, or will they have the chance to work on tasks and projects with real business impact?
For this year's cohort, the answer quickly became clear. From exploring AI and automation opportunities to developing social media strategies, students were encouraged to take ownership, share ideas, and contribute beyond what they expected.
"I was trusted to bring forward ideas that could influence how work gets done. Having that level of ownership as a student reinforced that my contributions were valued and capable of driving meaningful impact."
– Akshayan
"A key part of my role on the Social and Community Engagement Team is to communicate our brand to small business owners across Canada. Pitching, executing, and seeing the results of the strategy showed me how my ideas and perspectives can make a difference."
– Marisa
"I was given full autonomy and the confidence of my team to build a solution I thought could make a difference. This support allowed me to make an impact on an existing product and workflow."
– Maya
By trusting students with meaningful responsibilities, teams created opportunities for them to contribute not just as learners, but as valued members of the business. In the process, many students gained something just as valuable as work experience: confidence in themselves and their abilities.
Starting a new role can be intimidating, especially early in your career. Everything is new: the people, the projects, and often, even the expectations you place on yourself. For many students, growth came from saying yes to challenges, stepping outside their comfort zones, and discovering they were capable of more than they may have initially thought.
"Working at Moneris has empowered me to take initiative to start projects, communicate my ideas, and work with a variety of teams to execute them. The ownership I've taken on in my role has allowed me to become a confident contributor."
– Marisa
"Beyond the technical skills I've learned, the support and trust from my manager and team have helped me become more confident and step outside my comfort zone."
– Ananya
"I've become much more confident starting conversations, reaching out to new people, sharing my ideas, and putting myself in situations that felt outside of my comfort zone. The supportive culture at Moneris made it easy to say yes to new opportunities."
– Brisa
While the projects helped students build new skills, the experience also helped them build something equally important: confidence in themselves and their abilities and a stronger sense of what they're capable of achieving.One theme that surfaced throughout the student's reflections was the people. Behind every project was a network of colleagues who helped make the experience memorable. While each student joined a different team, many described how quickly they felt welcomed and supported. Through coffee chats, networking opportunities, and everyday conversations, they built relationships that helped them learn, grow, and feel like part of the Moneris community.
"The people at Moneris made all the difference. They were approachable, supportive, and generous with their time, making it easy to learn from colleagues across the organization. The connections I built helped me feel like part of the team from day one."
– Akshayan
"I've had the opportunity to connect with people across different teams, and each conversation has given me a new perspective on Moneris and the impact of the work we do."
– Ananya
"Whether it was through coffee chats, team meetings, networking events, or even casual conversations around the office, every interaction taught me something new. I enjoyed hearing about people's career journeys, learning about different areas of the business, and gaining advice from those with years of experience."
– Brisa
These relationships became an important part of each student's experience, creating opportunities to learn from different perspectives and build lasting professional networks.Students don't just learn from the business. They help shape it.
Students bring a unique perspective to the workplace. They're learning new things in the classroom, approaching challenges with fresh eyes, and often asking questions others may not think to ask.
This year's cohort quickly discovered that their voices weren't just welcomed, they were actively sought out.
"One of the things that has stood out during my internship is how my ideas and contributions have been recognized and encouraged, even as an intern. My work has also received visibility through presenting in MarCom dashboard meetings with our Director and collaborating with the External Communications team on blog content, allowing me to share insights and communicate ideas with a broader audience."
– Ananya
"Drawing from my experience on the Product team, where I supported modernization initiatives and explored new ways of working through AI and automation, I was able to contribute ideas on strengthening shared learning and connection across the student cohort."
– Akshayan
"I was super excited to receive positive feedback from my team on an AI-driven automation idea. I was given full autonomy and the confidence of my team to build a solution I thought could make a difference."
– Maya
These experiences reflect something broader about the culture at Moneris. When people at every level are encouraged to contribute ideas and take ownership, innovation becomes a shared responsibility, and everyone has the opportunity to truly make an impact.As they reflected on their summer, students shared a common message for those beginning their own internship journey: be curious, build connections, and embrace every opportunity to learn and contribute.
"Come in curious, build relationships, and don't be afraid to take ownership. You'll learn as much from the people around you as you do from the work itself."
– Akshayan
"Use the opportunity to build as many connections as possible. The employees at Moneris come from diverse backgrounds, and there is a lot you can learn just by sitting down and talking with people across the organization."
– Marisa
"Moneris provides an incredible environment to learn, grow, and meet some great mentors. Don't hesitate to ask questions, share your ideas, and step outside your comfort zone."
– Ananya
"Working at Moneris isn't just a regular internship. It's an opportunity to make an impact, have your voice heard by decision makers, and start building your network."
– Maya
"Say yes to opportunities and don't be afraid to put yourself out there. The more curious, engaged, and open-minded you are, the more you'll grow both professionally and personally."
– Brisa
This year’s summer students brought fresh perspectives, innovative thinking, and valuable contributions to teams across Moneris. From helping improve processes and strengthening communities to sharing ideas and building connections, their impact was felt well beyond their individual roles.
As they return to school or begin their next chapter, we’re proud to have been part of their journey, and grateful for the contributions they made along the way. We look forward to seeing what they accomplish next, whether their path leads them back to Moneris or somewhere entirely new.
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