422 | Jason Haelzle | How to Leverage Early Experiences for Career Growth
Manage episode 491825489 series 2705304
How does a student entrepreneur evolve into a global executive leading billion-dollar projects? Jason Haelzle shares the mindset and milestones behind his rise from Student Works to the world stage.
In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris Thomson sits down with Jason—now Principal and Vice President at GHD—to explore how he balanced academics, competitive hockey, and running a Student Works business as a teen, and how those early experiences shaped his leadership style today. Jason walks us through his career journey, from joining a 400-person engineering firm right out of university to helping it grow into a 10,000-person multinational organization.
He shares why working in a global company opens doors to high-impact, large-scale projects, and how adaptability, teamwork, and resilience were the key factors that fueled his rise. Aspiring leaders will walk away from this conversation with practical insights on embracing failure, seizing opportunity, and redefining success at every stage.
Enjoy!
In This Episode You'll Learn:
- How Jason managed to excel in school, hockey, and entrepreneurship as a teen
- How Student Works laid the foundation for Jason’s future leadership skills
- The leadership traits that helped Jason climb to Principal and VP
- How large companies offer access to global opportunities and bigger projects
- What Jason learned from his biggest failures—and how he turned them into fuel
- Jason’s advice for new and aspiring entrepreneurs
- And much more...
Guest Bio:
Jason Haelzle is a Principal and Vice President at GHD, a global engineering and professional services firm. A former national-level hockey player and Student Works standout, Jason has built a career defined by growth, adaptability, and leadership. He played a key role in the expansion of CRA before its merger with GHD and now oversees major infrastructure projects around the world.
Resources:
Connect with Jason on LinkedIn
Disclaimer:
The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Leaders of Tomorrow
podcast or its affiliates. The content provided is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this podcast and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. Listeners should consult with a professional for specific advice tailored to their situation. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that any reliance on the content is at your own risk.
422 episodes