In her fifth year as a Gael, Clare McKellar is ready for whatever comes her way, and that includes after hockey as well. But unlike many students, McKellar already has a leg up in the business world having worked for Queen's Athletics and Hockey Canada in their finance departments.

"Working for Athletics and being an athlete was a neat experience and the tasks themselves were interesting, I feel that I had a significant role and helped out a lot," said McKellar who worked with the Queen's Athletics finance team in the summer of 2015.  "My teammate, Addi Halladay, was the one who showed me the job description for a finance internship with Hockey Canada in Calgary in the spring and encouraged me to apply."

Having worked already in finance and being an Economics student at Queen's University, it seemed like a natural fit for McKellar, but not one she was sure of at first.

"After reading the job description, the position suited me perfectly with the work I had done previously with Athletics. But the position was in Calgary, and I didn't think I could do it and move out to Alberta away from my family and teammates. After getting some encouragement from family and friends, I ended up applying."

McKellar is happy that she did. She was successful and in a two-week span this past spring, found herself finishing exams, finding a new place to live and flying out to Calgary.

"Other than the obvious actual work skills that I had gained, the biggest takeaway was how much everyone cares about hockey in Canada. They all just want to make hockey the best that it can be in this country and that stretches all the way down to the grassroots of minor hockey too."

It was nice being surrounded by people who love hockey so much because I love hockey too obviously."

The experience is one that Mckellar doesn't regret looking back. And even though it was for just one summer she has padded her resume and made connections going forward.

"At first, I was hesitant, because it was in Calgary and that's just so far away. My first thought was, 'wow it would be great, but I wouldn't ever get it,' but you never really know so you can't hold back because it's important to get real-world experience."

Another big help for McKellar was former Queen's goaltender Engi Lim, who has worked with Hockey Canada for the past few years.

"Engi Lim, who played the year before I came in at Queen's, I knew from some of my teammates in my first year. She works with Hockey Canada in ticketing, so I spoke with her before I applied, and she was a big help with everything."

"I've learned a lot in the working world so far, what I've learned I know will be helpful in the years to come."

For right now McKellar is just enjoying her time on the ice with the Gaels for her final season and so far so good for the No.10 nationally ranked Gaels team that has yet to lose a game in regulation heading into Saturday.

As for what comes next, she isn't quite sure, but with five-years as a student-athlete, an Economics degree from Queen's University and real-world experience with Queen's and Hockey Canada, the sky is the limit.