HARPINDER GREWAL

What brought you to KPU and your program of study?

I chose to attend Kwantlen Polytechnic University because some of my friends were also going there and spoke very positively about their experiences. It was also very convenient for me since I attended Princess Margaret Secondary School, which is located right across from the Surrey campus.

When I first started at KPU, I enrolled in General Science because I wanted to keep my options open. I wasn’t completely sure which career path I wanted to pursue, and the program allowed me to take a broad range of courses and explore different subjects. I felt that General Science would give me the flexibility to discover my interests and make a more informed decision about my future academic and career goals. Through taking various courses, I was able to gain a better understanding of what I enjoyed studying and what direction I wanted to take moving forward.

Can you briefly describe your current position and your main day to day responsibilities?

I currently own and operate Roses Canada. My day-to-day responsibilities include communicating with customers, taking and fulfilling bouquet orders, sourcing flowers and supplies, creating floral arrangements, coordinating pickups and deliveries, managing social media marketing, and handling the administrative side of the business. I also focus on growing the brand, building customer relationships, and ensuring a positive experience for every client.

Which skills, knowledge, or experiences from KPU have been most valuable in your career so far?

One of the most valuable things I gained from KPU was the opportunity to take business and marketing courses alongside my studies. Those courses gave me a strong foundation in areas such as marketing, business planning, bookkeeping, customer relations, and basic business management.

The knowledge I gained has been very helpful in my entrepreneurial journey. It helped me better understand how businesses operate, how to create effective marketing strategies, how to manage finances, and how to make informed decisions for growth. The marketing courses, in particular, taught me how to promote my business, understand customer needs, and build brand awareness. Overall, the practical skills and business knowledge I developed at KPU have played an important role in helping me run and grow my business successfully.

What advice would you give current KPU students who want to build a successful career after graduation?

My advice to current KPU students who want to build a successful career after graduation is to take advantage of every opportunity the university offers beyond just lectures. Don’t limit yourself to only your main program—explore different electives, especially in areas like business, marketing, communication, or anything that can give you practical, real-world skills.

I would also recommend getting hands-on experience as early as possible through part-time work, internships, volunteering, or even starting a small side project. For me, applying what I learned in courses to real-life situations helped me understand things much more deeply and build confidence.

Another important thing is to start building your network early—connect with professors, classmates, and professionals, because relationships often lead to opportunities. And lastly, stay consistent and open-minded. You don’t need to have everything figured out right away, but if you keep learning and taking action, your career path will naturally start to take shape after graduation.