One-Week Job Project

In 2005, Sean Aiken graduated from Capilano University in North Vancouver, with a degree in business administration. He had a 4.0 GPA and was voted class valedictorian. After graduating, he travelled around the world for a year-and-a-half before returning to live with his parents in Port Moody. At this point, he was still unsure of what to do with his life.

One day, during a family dinner, his father told him, “Sean, it doesn’t matter what you do, just make sure it’s something you’re passionate about.” Shortly after, he started his 52-week journey.

The One Week Job project was launched in February 2007 when 25-year-old college graduate Sean Aiken worked 52 jobs in 52 weeks to find his passion. From a Cowboy in Wyoming, to a Fashion Buyer in Manhattan, to a Firefighter in Florida, Park Ranger in Hawaii, and Real Estate Agent in Beverly Hills, Sean learned not only about himself but also about the people around him, finding out what drives people to choose a certain career, what makes them successful, and, more importantly, what makes them happy.

He’s been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Time, Globe & Mail, on CNN, 20/20, The Rachael Ray Show, Good Morning America, CBC, CTV, and countless other media outlets around the world. 

The project resonated with millions around the world and inspired One-Week Job projects in Australia, India, the UK, USA, and Vietnam, as well as an award-winning documentary film, student curriculum, and book published by Penguin Random House.

Sean often speaks to audiences internationally at conferences, companies, and schools about what he learned from his experience and the curriculum he developed with other educators called, Wayfinder, is being used in classrooms around the world.

He decided to live in the best place on hearth, so he moved to the Comox Valley last year with his wife Danielle and two young kids.