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Former University of Alberta student turns summer job opportunity into full-time business venture celebrating 20 years

edmonton junk removalNot all summer jobs are seasonal - just ask Greg Kirkwood

What started out as a summer job for the former University of Alberta student quickly morphed into a full-time business. In May 1995, at 22-years-old, Kirkwood founded 310-DUMP, a residential, commercial, and industrial junk removal and dumpster rental services business which is celebrating it's 20th anniversary this month.

"I needed to find a job to pay my way in the summer, so I got a $3,000 loan, bought a truck, and started doing construction site clean-ups. I got so busy because there wasn't a lot of people who were providing a reliable, dependable service, so things got busy an just took off from there," said Kirkwood. "I always wanted to be in business after I got my degree - that was my intention. So I thought, do I go back to school and put the business on hold? Or do I pursue the opportunity and if it doesn't work out i can go back and finish my degree?"

Kirkwood never went back to school to finish his degree, and he's never regretted that decision.

Today, 310-DUMP has provided more than 100,000 jobs at work sites in Alberta, and has business offices both in Edmonton and Calgary.

Staying true to his roots, 310-DUMP actively employs college and university students during the summer months. Kirkwood says he emphasizes a fun work environment for students and looks forward to imparting some of his experience onto them.

"The road to being self-employed is one that requires a lot of work, and sometimes a lot more work than people can envision," said Kirkwood. "But like anything, if you apply yourself, and you do a good job success will follow."

Students looking for summer work can apply to work with the government of Alberta through the Student Summer Employment Registration Service, at jobs.alberta.ca.