Swinging a hammer, cutting lumber and giving out gifts are probably not the typical business school activities. But for Ivey Business School students volunteering in the Ivey Connects program, those activities – and more – are an important part of their university experience.
“What Ivey Connects is trying to do is train emerging leaders, with a social responsibility aspect in mind, to hopefully be able to maintain a positive attitude throughout their career about giving back to the community. It's kind of a ‘pay it forward’ thing,” said Abby Leung, Ivey Connects external director.
Ivey Connects is the philanthropic and community outreach arm of the business school. It is student run, with all first-year business students – students in their third year of undergraduate study, but first year in business school – and some second-year students taking part.