A member of the Statimc First Nation in British Columbia, Boni Oleman is a fourth-year Bachelor of Commerce Co-op student. While she is majoring in Accounting, she has also pursued a minor in Indigenous Studies to bridge her professional goals with her cultural identity.

Boni didn’t always know that she wanted to be an accountant. Her interest was sparked while working in various office administration roles where she became curious about how organizations operate financially behind the scenes. “Over time, the interest grew into a goal of building a career in accounting where I can use my skills with real world impact,” she shares.

While some Commerce Co-op students seek different companies for each of their three work terms, Boni found a unique opportunity to grow deeply within one organization, Clearwater Seafoods LP. So far, she has completed two work terms there, starting in Accounts Payable, where she mastered SAP and fine tuned her attention to detail, before transitioning into a dual role that included Internal Controls. During her second term, she took on the responsibility of documenting end to end processes and identifying financial risks. Her decision to stay with Clearwater was intentional. “As an Indigenous person, I continued to work with Clearwater Seafoods because of their commitment to sustainability, community engagement, and they are half Indigenous owned,” Boni explains. She found a supportive team that valued all cultures and created a respectful learning environment, eventually allowing her to transition into Corporate Reporting.

For Boni, success isn’t just about what happens in the office or the classroom, it’s about staying connected to her community. She is a frequent face at the Dalhousie Indigenous Student Centre, participating in monthly feasts, workshops, and her favourite activity, the beading circle. She is also engaged as a student representative for the Dalhousie Accounting Society and the Dalhousie Women in Business Association. Balancing these commitments alongside studies and work requires a high level of discipline. “Staying organized, planning ahead, and being realistic about my time has helped me manage everything effectively,” she says.

When it comes to the job search, Boni recommends a proactive and intentional approach. She reached out to Management Career Services early to refine her resume and treated the job search process like a job itself: tracking applications and setting weekly deadlines.

Boni recently began her third and final work term with Clearwater Seafoods, where she plans to deepen her expertise in financial analysis and corporate reporting. As she nears graduation, she is eager to explore future roles in audit and analysis within collaborative environments where she can continue to carry her perspective as an Indigenous woman into the professional space. “Treat every co-op like a long-term opportunity,” she advises her fellow students. “Build relationships, ask questions, and show initiative.”