Sebastian Delorme, a second-year Bachelor of Commerce Co-op student majoring in Finance, is originally from Ottawa, Ontario. He chose Dalhousie for its strong reputation and the unique experience Halifax offers. “I’ve never heard a Dal Commerce alum say they wouldn’t recommend the program,” Sebastian says. “Plus, I loved the idea of living in a place with big city amenities and a small coastal town feel.”
Sebastian completed his first co-op this winter as a Corporate Development Intern on the Strategy and Data Analysis team at Crombie REIT, a position that he self-developed through his own job search. His work focused on a project that looks at both past and future factors that influence real estate transactions across a section of Crombie’s portfolio.
While he didn’t initially set out to self-develop his co-op, he decided to diversify his job search. “I went to every networking event I could, including the Halifax Student Job Fair. That’s where I saw the Crombie booth. I’d done a research project on them in first year, so I knew I could make a good impression.” Even though Crombie wasn’t hiring co-op students for the winter term at that time, Sebastian followed up with emails and kept the conversation going. Eventually, the Corporate Development team brought him on.
Sebastian says a big part of his success has been about mindset. “I try to take nothing personally, always show up with a positive attitude, and do my best. The learning curve has been steep, but it’s taught me to be tough and adapt. I also try to be really efficient with communication—taking solid notes and not needing things explained more than once.”
One of the most rewarding parts of Sebastian’s co-op was helping with the strategic repositioning of a big property. He used data to figure out what was working well and what wasn’t, which will help the team make better decisions moving forward. His experience at Crombie has also shaped his career interests. “I came into Finance focused on investing, but this role opened my eyes to Commercial Real Estate from the inside. I really enjoy the strategy and long-term thinking behind it.”
Looking ahead, Sebastian plans to keep learning and growing his network. “The best advice I’ve gotten here is that real work isn’t about checking boxes—it’s about understanding why things matter. That’s where you create real value.”
His advice for other students? “Start early, be proactive, and don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone.”