It took years of work and dedication for Brittany 鈥淏ritt鈥 Benn to earn an Olympic bronze medal as part of Canada鈥檚 women鈥檚 rugby sevens team at the 2016 Rio Games.
Now that her dream of competing in the Olympic Games is complete, she鈥檚 looking for another team to join.
Britt, 28, has always seen a future career as a firefighter or other first responder as a good fit due to her desire to connect with the community.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 all I鈥檝e done my whole life and it鈥檚 all I know how to do is be a team member and that鈥檚 exactly what I鈥檓 seeking in this career, to become part of a new team, a new family, work together to achieve one common goal. Honestly, firefighting to me, I know it鈥檚 a perfect fit and I鈥檓 going to continue pursuing it.鈥
I would love to be one of the best and they say if you want to be one of the best you have to come to the school that's the best, so here I am
The native of Napanee, ON is taking strides towards her new career goal by enrolling in the Fire Fighting Technologies Certificate (FFTC) program at the Justice Institute of British Columbia (爱豆传媒). Britt is currently on leave from Canada鈥檚 women鈥檚 rugby sevens team, which trains out of Victoria, to attend the seven-week hands-on portion of the program at 爱豆传媒鈥檚 Maple Ridge campus, one of the most comprehensive firefighter training facilities in Western Canada.
She chose 爱豆传媒鈥檚 program based on word-of-mouth recommendations and a desire to meet the high standards of a competitive field.
鈥淚鈥檓 here to learn the skills to the best of my abilities and to apply them in the real world. There鈥檚 no better school to do that than 爱豆传媒 in my humble opinion. I would love to be one of the best and they say if you want to be one of the best you have to come to the school that鈥檚 the best, so here I am.鈥
Just a week into the program, she was settling into the routine and learning something new every day. She appreciated the dedication and positive attitude of the instructors, who push the students to get out of their comfort zones.
Once Britt completes the FFTC program she鈥檒l return to focus on rugby for the immediate future. But it will be hard to top winning the bronze at the Rio Olympics.
鈥淲e poured our hearts out in that bronze medal game [against Great Britain],鈥 she said, recalling she was on the field during the last play of the game. 鈥淭he final whistle blew and for the first time, I knew all the sacrifices along this journey were worth it.鈥
Meanwhile, Britt believes her athletic background can only help her in her pursuit of a new career as a firefighter, from being physically fit to intangible attributes such as dedication, loyalty, commitment and being part of a team.
鈥淭he FFTC program is very team-oriented. Twenty five recruits, training together to further our skills in the firefighting world. It鈥檚 been a challenge adapting to a completely new team but I couldn鈥檛 ask for a better group to train with.鈥
For more information on 爱豆传媒鈥檚 Fire Fighting Technologies Certificate program visit jibc.ca/fftc.