When asked why she wanted to attend Redeemer, Erica Van Hoffen, in an unexpected response, explained that she actually hadn鈥檛.
鈥淏oth my parents went to Redeemer, so, when I was in high school, I really didn鈥檛 want to come here,鈥 she says. 鈥淚 felt that it was too close to home. Then, I toured other universities and walked into these lecture halls with 400 seats. They felt too big and too much. I toured Redeemer and could just feel the sense of community on campus. It was what I wanted my university experience to look like.鈥
Additionally inspired by her parents鈥 career choices, Van Hoffen decided to study accounting. Hearing their work stories gave her a thorough appreciation for real-world experience.
I toured Redeemer and could just feel the sense of community on campus. It was what I wanted my university experience to look like.鈥
鈥淵ou actually have a more rewarding time in school because there鈥檚 a better idea of what will happen at the end.鈥
Van Hoffen was initially placed with the international accounting firm in January 2021. However, soon after she was hired, the offices and staff were transferred to a smaller professional services firm in St. Catharines, Ontario as part of a wider acquisition.聽
鈥淚t was neat that I got to work for both a large firm and one that鈥檚 more national-sized. We still had the same clients before and after the merger, just under a different name. It was definitely a crazy experience, but I did learn a lot.鈥
While going through an acquisition during her first work term had many stressful components, being part of a smaller team proved to be more beneficial in the long run.
鈥淚 got to participate in a lot of different auditing aspects instead of sticking to one part of the company.鈥
Van Hoffen鈥檚 biggest takeaway is one that she continues to apply in and outside the workplace.
鈥淟earning happens through asking questions, not when you鈥檙e stuck spinning your wheels on something. In my classes, I鈥檓 now more likely to raise my hand when something doesn鈥檛 make sense, whereas before I would鈥檝e stayed quiet and figured it out later.鈥
Due to relaxed COVID restrictions, Van Hoffen was able to officially receive her award at an in-person ceremony in March. She鈥檚 proud of the paths it will help forge for future co-op students.
鈥淚t means I represented Redeemer well,鈥 she explains. 鈥淭here haven鈥檛 been any Redeemer students at Deloitte or MNP for a while, so this has hopefully been a way to help get the school鈥檚 name out there.鈥
She was also keenly aware that being the face of Redeemer went hand-in-hand with being the face of Christ.
鈥淚 wanted to honour God by using the gifts and abilities he has given me. Working as a co-op student, I think it鈥檚 easy to wonder how your work has any impact because you鈥檙e just a small piece of the puzzle. Knowing that God has called me to the season I鈥檓 in and to honour him through my work helped give meaning to my day-to-day tasks.鈥
As she gets closer to graduation, Van Hoffen is building a clearer vision of life post-Redeemer.
Knowing that God has called me to the season I鈥檓 in and to honour him through my work helped give meaning to my day-to-day tasks.
鈥淲orking with clients, my managers and my co-workers solidified my choice to pursue audit accounting. I鈥檓 going back to MNP for my second co-op term, and I鈥檓 glad to have the opportunity to continue learning where I want to work.鈥
Bruce Wilson, the director of Redeemer鈥檚 Centre for Experiential Learning and Careers (CELC), had the following to say about Van Hoffen.
鈥淏eginning with her time at Redeemer, Erica has maintained academic excellence and a remarkable experience record as a housing advisor, teaching assistant and leader of the Women in Business mentorship club. Throughout her first work term at MNP, she faced many challenges including an office change, remote work due to COVID and taking on unique auditing assignments. Despite all of this, she delivered quality work and has been duly recognized.鈥