Future in Flight: Meet Erika Wardle

Meet @Erika Wardle, a Communications Summer Student at DHC. 

Heading into her third year at Western University in the Business Management and Organizational Studies (BMOS) Consumer Behavior program, Erika has spent the summer supporting the Brand Marketing and Communications team under the guidance of Jody Moseley and Mallory Graham, contributing to a wide range of internal and external communications, and gaining firsthand experience in how strategic communications supports the business. 

We caught up with Erika to hear about her internship experience, what she’s learned along the way, and where she hopes her career will take her next.

1. If someone was considering your University program, what would you tell them?

I’d tell them to keep an open mind. BMOS gives you exposure to so many different areas of business that you don’t have to have everything figured out on day one. The more experiences you take on, the easier it becomes to discover what you’re actually interested in. I’d also tell them to say yes to opportunities, even if they’re outside their comfort zone. Some of the best experiences I’ve had came from trying something new, and that’s where I’ve learned the most.

2. Where do you hope your career takes you after university?

I’d love to continue building my own marketing and analytics company while helping businesses make smarter, data-driven decisions. My goal is to combine creativity with strategy and help organizations grow through better marketing, analytics, and communication. At the same time, I want to keep learning from experienced professionals, work on meaningful projects, and continue building the skills that will help me become a stronger business leader and entrepreneur in the future.

3. What’s one thing you’ve learned from your team that you couldn’t learn in a classroom?

I’ve learned that communications is far more strategic than most people realize. Every piece of communication has multiple audiences, different perspectives to consider, and a clear purpose. It’s made me think differently about what goes into creating messages that actually make an impact. Seeing that process firsthand has given me a much broader perspective on the role communications plays in a business. It’s one thing to learn about it in a classroom, but it’s completely different to experience how it supports people, projects, and the organization as a whole.

4. If you could switch jobs with anyone at DHC for one day, who would it be?

I’d switch with someone on the Corporate Strategy team. I’d love to see how the company evaluates new opportunities, makes long-term decisions, and balances competing priorities. I think it would be really interesting to see how those big-picture decisions shape the future of the business. I also think it would be interesting to see how different departments come together to support those decisions and how strategy influences everything from day-to-day operations to long-term growth.

5. What’s one thing you’ll take away from your internship that you’ll remember for years to come?

I’ll remember the confidence that comes from knowing your work has a real impact. It’s one thing to complete assignments for a grade, but it’s completely different knowing your work contributes to real projects, real teams, and real business decisions. I’ll also remember that the best work happens when you’re willing to ask questions, take ownership, and keep learning. That mindset is something I’ll carry with me throughout my career.