Matthew Habinski began studying towards his Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) at Tyndale University in the fall of 2021. He completed an internship with Niagara Motors in Niagara-on-the-Lake in August 2024, and he is poised to graduate in May 2025. He was interviewed by Tyndale's Marketing & Communications Department.
What attracted you to Tyndale University for your BBA degree?
My connection to Tyndale began through my youth pastor, who attended here years ago. I’ve always felt a calling toward business and leadership, and Tyndale provided an environment to explore what that means from a faith perspective.
I chose Tyndale for several reasons:
- First, many people I trust advocated for the school and its unique environment.
- Second, it offered an opportunity to learn in a God-centred community, which was a stark contrast to the public school system I was used to.
- Lastly, I wanted to understand how faith and business can complement one another, particularly in a world where Christians in business often face scepticism due to the negligence and abuse of power we frequently see in leadership today.
How did your internship as a marketing manager at Niagara Motors come about?
My internship at Niagara Motors started as a summer opportunity (May-August), but I am now working there full-time. Initially, this was just a co-op where I was getting broad experiences and hands-on opportunities throughout the dealership.
Since my start in late April, I have seen some increases in responsibility, from becoming a full-time employee in the fall and eventually taking on marketing in the dealership from a managerial capacity.
Even in the past few weeks, my responsibilities are shifting, with doors opening for me and my boss, John Dick (general manager of Niagara Motors), to pursue some ventures outside the dealership as partners.
The initial position came about through a church connection between a former Tyndale professor, and John, who has since become a good friend and colleague.
What steps did you go through during your internship, and what was your favourite part?
The internship wasn’t overly complex, but it was very hands-on.
I got involved in various aspects of running a dealership and learned how to manage its operations. On the academic side, I logged my hours, completed assignments, outlined learning objectives, and eventually presented my experience to other Tyndale business students.
My favourite part was the opportunity to engage directly with the business’s inner workings and see how theory meets practice.
Which Tyndale professor has made the most impact on your studies and life? Why?
Tony has had the most profound impact on me. While the course content he taught was valuable, it was his passion and dedication to seeing students live out their full potential that truly inspired me.
His heartfelt lectures, candid stories, and commitment to integrating faith and business left a lasting impression on me and others in his classroom. He encouraged us to be stewards of the gifts God has given us, leaving me empowered to make an eternal impact through my work.
How do God, business, and faith come together in your life?
The intersection of faith and work is often underestimated, but it’s central to how I approach business.
Christians are called to make disciples, share the gospel and live as testimonies to God’s grace.
Business, at its core, is a creative outlet, and creativity is ingrained in our identity as beings created in God’s image. As Christians, we can approach business not exploitatively, but redemptively, using it as a platform to improve the world, uplift others and bring glory to God.
For-profit industries often lack a strong Christian presence, which makes this mission even more significant.
What student leadership roles did you participate in at Tyndale?
I’ve had several student leadership roles during my time here:
- In my second year, I served as a Residence Advisor (RA), and I also represented the student body as Student Governor on Tyndale’s Board.
- During my third year (2023-24), I was the Undergraduate Student President. In this role, I pored over other leaders and supported new students, something that became a clear passion for me. A joke among the community was that “Starbucks was my ministry” because I frequently took students out for coffee to connect and hear their stories. Additionally, I served on the Academic Senate, providing updates on the undergraduate body’s state.
- I also worked with Tyndale’s External Relations Department for two years, and represented the school at youth conferences like Change Conference in Toronto and Ottawa.
What are your aspirations after graduating from Tyndale?
Above all, I aspire to have a kingdom impact through leadership.
Currently, that means pursuing excellence in the workplace, standing for truth, and sacrificially loving those around me. I see entrepreneurship in my future, and my ideas are becoming more concrete every day.
For now, I will continue working at Niagara Motors while transitioning into the new ventures my boss has invited me to partner with him on. These opportunities will expose me to high-level business decisions and allow me to impact many people positively.
Is there anything else you want to share about Tyndale and your internship?
My journey has been nothing short of awe-inspiring. From taking a leap of faith to move from Ottawa to Toronto for school, then relocating from Toronto to Niagara, God has continually exceeded my expectations. Each step, though uncertain at the time, has revealed his incredible plan and faithfulness in ways I couldn’t have imagined.