Students put their skills to work over holiday break

18 people  shown on a Zoom call

Students from across Atlantic Canada participated in the Clarivue Holiday Challenge

While many students were unplugging for winter break, 17 students across Atlantic Canada were doing the opposite. From mid-December 2025 to early January 2026, students came together virtually for the Clarivue Holiday Challenge, a one-month experiential placement hosted through Experience Ventures, in collaboration with the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre.

The challenge paired students with Clarivue, a business that helps students build interview confidence and readiness. Acting as consultants, students worked to address three key business areas: pricing strategy, first impressions and market positioning. It was a full-circle experience, with students applying entrepreneurial skills to improve a platform built to support their own career success.

Designed as a Holiday Challenge, the program offered students a chance to gain real-world experience outside the traditional classroom during a time when many experiential opportunities pause. Working entirely online, teams collaborated across provinces, disciplines and institutions, bringing different perspectives to each problem.

Participants represented six post-secondary institutions: Saint Mary’s University, University of New Brunswick, New Brunswick Community College, College of the North Atlantic, Memorial University and the University of Prince Edward Island. This mix of academic backgrounds strengthened the quality of ideas and solutions presented to Clarivue.

For many, the experience was both challenging and rewarding. “The challenge was an engaging and motivating experience,” said Eman Alhamd, a student from NBCC. “It pushed me to think differently and work efficiently as part of a team. I’m grateful for the opportunity and the skills I gained.”

Courtney Dingle, Co-president of the World-winning Enactus Saint Mary’s team, also reflected on the impact of the program. “Being part of the Experience Ventures Holiday Challenge allowed me to apply classroom learning to a real company focused on student success. Collaborating with students from different universities strengthened our ideas and pushed us to think creatively. I’m grateful for the chance to contribute to a company like Clarivue.”

Learn more about the programs available to students through the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre.