Student Spotlight: Breena T’ien & Megan Daviduck

October 8, 2019 Management Career Services Leave a Comment

The Fall 2019 convocation ceremony for Faculty of Management grads was held this week. Congratulations to all our BComm, BMgmt, and CRMBA graduating students!

Two graduating students are featured in this week’s Student Spotlight: Breena T’ien and Megan Daviduck. They both managed to secure full-time jobs as a result of their work term performance. Breena is a graduate of the Corporate Residency MBA program, who is now working full-time for Scotiabank, Global Banking and Markets as a Corporate Banking Analyst on the Mining, Power, and Real Estate team following her 8-month internship with the organization in Toronto. Megan is a graduate of the Bachelor of Commerce Co-op program who majored in Marketing Management and turned her final 4-month co-op with Critical Mass (CM) in Calgary into a full-time role.

Breena was born and raised on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. After she completed her Bachelor of Science with a Major in Biology from the University of Victoria, she came to Dal and completed the CRMBA program. Most of her time outside of school was either spent with family, studying with her peers, or participating in an intramural basketball team.

Originally from Edmonton, Alberta, Megan was involved in the Rowe Women in Business Association (WIBA) since her first year at Dal. In her final year, she served as the Social Media Manager for WIBA, was a first-year student mentor through the Dalhousie Commerce Society, and she worked as part-time Campus Tour Guide for Dalhousie’s Recruitment Office.

We caught up with Breena and Megan to hear about their work term experience and ask them about how they secured a full-time job with their respective work term organizations.

What were you able to do during your work term that helped lead to a full-time job offer?

Breena: “After I got the hang of my job at Scotiabank, I realized that this work was something that I enjoyed, and I made it known to my head boss about my desire to return and to pursue a career in Corporate Banking. In addition, I made a point to become good friends with the people I worked with as I knew that their opinions mattered on whether I would come back or not. Networking within my department has helped me form bonds that helped me return as a full-time employee.”

Megan: “With a well-known, thriving internship program, Critical Mass was the perfect place to transition from being an intern into a full-time employee. Everyone at the organization is happy to help you learn and grow, while still allowing you to take on real client projects. I think what helped the most was being able to see the impact my work as an intern had on the clients I was working with and the long-term results that I have been able to follow through with as a full-time employee. Being clear with your employer throughout your work term that you would like to stay on as a full-time employee is important and ensures that both yourself and your mentor/employer are on the same page from the beginning.”

Did you have to compete for your full-time role or was the offer extended to you because of your strong performance as an internship/co-op employee?

Breena: “Competition is high for the position that I currently hold. However, due to my vocalization of wanting to come back, a position was extended to me. I have no doubt in my mind that the eight-month internship position was a huge driver in providing me with this opportunity. This is due to the fact that when I left my internship, I was well trained on the system the company uses, therefore providing me a leg up. The full-time onboarding process was much simpler and took virtually no time.”

Megan: “I believe that at CM, the amount of effort, enthusiasm, and passion you put into what you are working on speaks for itself. There were a lot of interns at CM during my work term, and what I noticed we all had in common was that we were all very focused and driven to make the company, and our mentors, proud of the work we were producing. CM is great for recognizing people’s initiative and fit within the company and for hiring people who work hard, are real, and are proud of the work they produce, but stay humble.”

What advice would you give to other students hoping to transition from being an internship/co-op employee to a full-time employee within the same company?

Megan: “I would make sure to keep track of all of the work and accomplishments you have achieved throughout your work term. It allows you to have something tangible to show your supervisor/mentor/HR rep at the end of your work term to reinforce the value you would bring to the organization should they extend a full-time offer to you. Additionally, take advantage of the opportunity to learn new skills and interact with industry professionals, no matter which industry you’re working in.”

Breena: “Demonstrate your time management ability and your willingness to help other individuals. If my own portfolio was having a slow period, I would always ask my supervisor to let the other teams know that I had the capacity to help out. This will help you as you become familiar with not only your own team, but also gain the opportunity to further network within the company. Also, take your time and learn the theory. It is one thing to copy work to get it done as quickly as possible. However, if you spend the time to really understand the big picture of your work, you will be able to grasp the work in a better fashion and outperform.”

What are your short- and long-term career goals?

Megan: “Short-term, I am looking forward to learning more about what goes into producing great work in a digital-focused agency. Being in this kind of agency setting allows me to learn more about not only the traditional side of marketing, but also the intricacies of the digital side including SEO, digital marketing research, tech development, and much more! I am looking forward as well to the opportunity to work on a variety of different accounts involving world-class clients and working with team members from across the globe. Long-term, I hope to be able to work abroad and potentially move abroad permanently. With CM, there is the opportunity to not only move to different offices across the globe but also to work within multiple disciplines such as strategy or marketing science. At this point, I am open to any and all of the opportunities that come my way.”

Breena: “Short term, I hope to become the head analyst in my department and be the person that people rely on for system solutions. Long term, I would love to pursue a path within the real estate industry. I’m yet undecided on what this looks like, but I find the industry itself truly interesting and beautiful. I think it’s important in its own way that I don’t have concrete plans yet as it will allow me to be flexible and to take opportunities as they present themselves. I’m excited to see what the future holds for me.”

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Congratulations to all of our graduating students. As a new grad, you will continue to have access to your myCareer account, where you can look for and apply to a wide variety of full-time and new grad job postings, and access career and industry-specific intelligence through Management Career Services > Student Resources section of the platform.

How to complete your Work Term Acceptance Agreement

August 19, 2019 Andrea McKay Leave a Comment

Upon approval of your work term record by MCS, or confirmation of your myCareer job acceptance, you must review and submit the standard Work Term Acceptance Agreement Form in order to complete the job approval process. This form should be submitted through myCareer prior to the start of the work term.

In accordance with Dalhousie’s International Travel Policy, students completing a work term outside of Canada, whether in their home country or alternate, will also be asked to register their travel with Dalhousie, complete various pre-departure steps as outlined in the policy, and review, sign and submit a paper-based Work Term Outside of Canada Acceptance Agreement, acknowledging the final steps required to prepare for your work term out of country.

If it is determined that a student or employer has provided untruthful information or misrepresented any aspect of the work term, including but not limited to the student’s work location, payroll, supervision or hours/weeks worked, the student may be removed from the work term and face additional academic consequences. To avoid this outcome, please ensure all work term details and/or changes are communicated to the MCS team as soon as you are aware of them.

To access the standard Work Term Acceptance Agreement in myCareer:

Click on Management Career Services

Scroll down until you see the Work Term Records heading

Click on the employer name for your relevant work term record listed in the right-hand column. To the left of the main work term record details, click on Work Term Acceptance Agreement, and follow the directions for completion.

Upon approval of your work term record by MCS, or confirmation of your myCareer job acceptance, you must review and submit the Work Term Acceptance Agreement form in order to complete the job approval process.

This, along with creating your Work Term Record, should be submitted through myCareer prior to the start of the work term.

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For more myCareer tips, consult our other Student User Guide tutorials.

UPass & Dalplex Info for Students on a Co-op/Internship Work Term This Summer

April 25, 2019 Allison Auld Leave a Comment

This information specifically pertains to Bachelor of Commerce Co-op students, Bachelor of Management Internship Students, and Corporate Residency MBA students embarking (or remaining) on a work term this summer.

UPass Opt-In Process:

If you are doing your work term within the Halifax area during Summer 2019, you can opt-in to the UPass program. You will be charged $78.50 and passes are now available.

To opt-in to the UPass for the summer term, you must visit the DalCard Office (6230 Coburg Road, Howe Hall) and provide proof that you are on an approved work term in Halifax. They will provide you with a sticker and charge your student account.

To prove your work term details, you can either:

login to myCareer and show your approved work term on your phone at the DalCard Office, OR
print a copy of your approved work term record to take with you to the DalCard Office as proof.

To print your work term record:

Login to myCareer, click on Management Career Services.
Scroll down to locate your co-op sequence on the right-hand side of the screen.
Click the link for the appropriate work term to access your work term record.
Click the blue Print Work Term Detail button that appears to generate a copy of your work term record and then print it.

*Please note that for the DalCard Office to issue your UPass, your work term record must have been approved by Management Career Services, the approved work term details completed and your work term must be in the Halifax area.

Learn more about the summer UPass.

Dalplex Access:
Dalhousie students do not pay any student services fees while on co-op work terms, which means they do not have access to Dalplex or Sexton Memorial Gym until they return to classes on a full-time basis. Visit Dalplex directly to purchase a term membership or for rate information, call 902-494-3372.

Student Spotlight: Natcha Wannaklang

October 30, 2018 Management Career Services Leave a Comment

Natcha Wannaklang is a 4th-year BComm student majoring in accounting. She is originally from Thailand and came to Canada to pursue her undergraduate degree in Commerce at Dalhousie. Despite being an international student immersed in an unfamiliar country and speaking another language, Natcha was able to secure three work terms in Canada and fast-track her professional development. Keep reading to get inspired by Natcha’s work term success!

When asked about the biggest job search challenge she has had to face being an international student, Natcha says that it was difficult to make connections when all of your past work experience is in another country.

“It is hard to get your foot in the door for an interview with companies when your past work experience isn’t in Canada. Since I am from Thailand, all my work experience was in another language and culture, and I was trying to find work in a country I didn’t have any personal connections in. Even though I grew up speaking another language, I am fully capable of working in English, as are many other international students.”

Working in the small, rural community of Inverness during her second co-op work term at Cabot Links presented Natcha with a greater feeling of culture shock than she had experienced before. But it helped that her employers and co-workers were very welcoming, and all the workers were very close.

“When I first moved to Inverness, I lived in staff accommodations where I got to meet many of my coworkers who I now consider my friends. Since many of the workers at Cabot Links are from all over the country, having workplace events really helped bring everyone together and feel more a part of the team”.

One of the greatest strengths Natcha believes she brings to her employers as an international student is her diverse background and culture. Growing up in a different culture than most of her classmates and peers gives her the competitive edge of having a unique perspective. According to Natcha, sometimes a different perspective leads to a new way to solve a problem. This proved especially useful when tasked with finding solutions to problems during her work terms.

“Having multiple perspectives and approaches for solving problems is always beneficial because it allows a company to listen to new ideas and find a better way to achieve the goal at hand”.

Although Natcha has experienced challenges finding a co-op work term, she says her experience has been nothing but positive when it comes to personal and professional development. One of the most difficult aspects of being an international student is not knowing the culture of your host country. Natcha says that all three of her co-op work term employers went above and beyond and were welcoming and supportive throughout her employment. From helping to update her resume and cover letter, to engaging her in team building activities, Natcha says she has felt comfortable from the beginning.

When asked about what type of advice Natcha would give to fellow international students who are looking to make the most out of their co-op work terms, she says to work hard and make sure to get out of your comfort zone.

“Finding a co-op placement is never easy, so by working hard and applying to a lot of job openings, it increases the chances that you will find a co-op that you will like and will help you to further your future career. My work terms have resulted in going out of comfort zone by working in a communications role, moving to a small town in Cape Breton for work, and working in an industry I wasn’t very familiar with. The great thing about my work terms was that each one gave me the experience I needed to find work after I graduate”.

Pro Tip:Optimize your job application by tailoring your resume and cover letter to align your skills and experience with the specific job description and qualifications.

Want to learn more about finding work in Canada? Check out our e-learning webinar “Beginners guide – the job search in Canada” under the Resources section of myCareer.

Apply Now for Venture for Canada’s Atlantic Internship Program

July 11, 2018 Andrea McKay Leave a Comment

Good news for students seeking fall co-op opportunities in Atlantic Canada!

Venture for Canada’s new Atlantic Internship Program will help students gain work experience at growing Atlantic Canadian organizations. Atlantic Internship Program opportunities may be eligible for a Commerce co-op work term once approved by your Career & Recruitment Specialist. Students accepted into the program will:

be matched with qualified paid work opportunities at innovative companies
receive 20 hours of leading professional development and training
be invited to attend future innovation and networking events

To apply, complete their online application form by FRIDAY, JULY 20th. Accepted students will be notified by July 27th.

If you know of an employer who should participate in this program, please direct them here for more information.

Student Spotlight: Max Georgopoulos

January 22, 2018 Management Career Services Leave a Comment

Max Georgopoulos is a second year Bachelor of Commerce student from Aurora, Ontario. Last year he was a part of the Marketing stream on the Toronto Corporate Tour. Max says his experience with the Corporate Tour was nothing but positive. “We saw a wide range of businesses, from start-ups to large corporations like PepsiCo. I got a great scope of what marketing looks like across all types of companies. I also made awesome connections with people in various industries, which ended up opening multiple doors for me in the future.”

Max went on to say he, “would recommend the Toronto Corporate Tour 100%” because he felt that getting an inside look at various companies gives students a better idea of what type of company they might want to work for in their co-op terms and in their career.

Max emphasized the importance of industry connections. Max says, “Having the right connections is one of the biggest factors in landing the job you want.” Max felt the greatest benefit of the Toronto Corporate Tour was networking, describing it as, “a great climate to make connections in, since these employers see you as an initiative-taker who cares about his/her career before you even open your mouth to speak. Good first impression if you ask me.”

“Networking on the tour ended up landing me two jobs: one at Mosaic over the summer and one at a Nudge Rewards for my current co-op. The co-op jobs that some of my friends landed were also a result of a connection that they made on the tour. Without the tour, neither me nor my friends would have been aware of these opportunities, let alone gotten the job. Go on the tour!”

For more information on the Toronto Corporate Tour attend the information session on January 25^th or go to dal.ca/mcs/corporatetours.

Student Spotlight: Victoria Palmer

January 9, 2018 Management Career Services Leave a Comment

Victoria Palmer is a fourth year Bachelor of Management Internship student from Vancouver, BC. During her eight-month internship, Victoria worked for LGFG Fashion House, a world-leading bespoke suit, shirt and shoe brand. LGFG is 7 years old, covers 26 countries, employs over 100 people, and is headquartered in Calgary. Victoria has always had an interest in buying and merchandising and has found an interest in seeing the cycle of service and the product. Working in a few different roles, including direct sales and corporate partnerships, Victoria was able to explore how she fit into the company best, and develop professionally. In addition to the work experience, Victoria also has the opportunity to attend the LGFG bi-annual conference in Manila, Philippines in August, and to meet colleagues from around the world.

“As a professional, my growth throughout this work term has surpassed my expectations. Being in a direct sales role for the first half of my internship, I was faced with tasks such as cold calling and directly approaching prospects. This quickly strengthened my confidence and aided with my next role in corporate partnerships. My time management-yes, time IS money-, goal setting, and personal development strategies were also formed and have ultimately put me in a positive mindset and attitude for any position or personal endeavor moving forward.”

Victoria gained clarity from her internship, an understanding of her professional strengths, and developed those strengths to become more effective. She has a clearer vision of her career path and is more ambitious than ever before.

“Overall, the drive and confidence I’ve developed within this internship has set me further ahead than if I hadn’t participated in the Internship Program, and I will maintain these habits of positive affirmations and goal setting to remain successful in the future.”

As a result, Victoria would recommend the Internship Program “in a heartbeat.” She says that receiving such an opportunity to work for a global organization, travel, become a head of a new strategy for LGFG, and grow as a professional, while still being a student “shows employers that you are ambitious and seek growth.”

Networking is key, according to Victoria, “using the power of LinkedIn to obtain informational interviews is an amazing way to learn about the organization and career you are interested in. Prior to participating in this program, I didn’t know what an informational interview was or that it was even possible. They are not only great for learning about a career but also key in networking and growing your presence with professionals in your industry of interest.

Victoria believes that “It comes down to doing your due diligence in your internship search, conducting informational interviews, being adaptable in your role, and constantly working on your personal development. Actively working on these concepts will put you on track for success in your work term and you will feel the impact moving forward as well,”.

Applications are now being accepted for the Bachelor of Management Internship Program! Visit dal.ca/mcs/internship to learn more!

Why you should write your future reference letter now

January 18, 2017 Allison Auld Leave a Comment

Even though your work term is just getting started, imagine that the end of your term has come. This is often an opportunity to reflect on experiences, evaluate newly developed skills, new relationships, and completed projects. It’s also a time to look forward to the next step of your professional career.

What some students don’t realize, however, is that you will leave an impression on your co-workers and colleagues over the course of your residency. The legacy you leave is something that can benefit you in a number of ways, not the least of which is a positive reference for a future job.

Considering your legacy

Begin the process of building your legacy by writing your own reference letter, highlighting the traits and abilities that you will strive to achieve by the end of your term. This will give you a better understanding of the type of employee you want to become and keep you focused on actually achieving it. This exercise is most effective if you keep the physical cover letter you wrote for yourself visible (taped to your desk or notebook, for example) so that it will provide motivation to achieve your professional development objectives.

Getting down to business

Leaving a positive legacy at your workplace does not have to be dramatic or grand. It can be as simple as assuring that you’ve done your job to the best of your ability. In your letter, plan to demonstrate one or more of the following:

Improvements you made on office process/procedure
Outcomes you exceeded by adding extra value to your projects and assignments
Examples that show your initiative
Proven areas of reliability and a willingness to take on more projects
Ways in which you maintained a great attitude and integrated your personality and strengths into your projects
How you took advantage of opportunities to get involved and made a difference
Your demonstrated effective communication skills and positive relationships built with co-workers and clients

Planning ahead

While these traits will without a doubt help you leave a legacy at your workplace, they are also traits that employers value and look for when hiring. Keep in mind that if a future employer calls one of your references and hears any combination of the traits listed above, you’ve not only proven your legacy to your past employer but also showed that you’re capable of creating a new one with a future employer as well.

How to impress your boss & add value on your residency

January 18, 2017 Allison Auld Leave a Comment

Securing your corporate residency is a great achievement and an important step in your career development. It’s also an excellent opportunity to make a positive impression that can lead to success in the workplace as well as making great professional connections. To make the most out of your residency, consider these tips:

Take time to STUDY

S: Survey your surroundings
T: Take the time to analyze and learn the most important things; company’s strategic plan, goals and objectives, structure, processes, current projects
U: Understand the people: Who are the key resources? Who’s doing what?
D: Do not make hasty decisions; being new means you will not yet understand the current situation, facts, or internal politics
Y: Yes you can! No matter how overwhelmed you feel in your new position –just take a deep breath, remain calm, stay focused, and prioritize, prioritize, prioritize

Clarify ambiguity

Ask questions to understand your role and how you will be evaluated.
Learn the business, in and outside of the area/team you are working.
Be proactive – it’s great to show initiative, but show some restraint. Humility plays as important a role as ambition.

Exhibit professionalism

Consider how you answer the telephone, how you use email, and how you articulate your voice mail greeting
Perform menial tasks with enthusiasm to demonstrate your work ethic does not change depending on the task you are assigned
Show respect for the corporate culture
Become acquainted with colleagues, even those outside your peer group

Consider your first impression

First impressions matter… and they last. Always dress professionally. It is better to overdress then to underdress
Take initiative to ask for more work if you are not busy. Let people know your strengths and your willingness to assist
Be keen. Don’t be the first one to leave at the end of the day. Always remember that even if this is not the job you want for a career, it is a stepping stone for you in terms of your resume, your skills and a reference

Add value

80% of success is attributed to simply showing up and giving 100%. When you commit to a goal, deadline, or say you are going to do something, ensure you meet those expectations
Avoid excuses such as “I have no experience” or “I am a student”. For the duration of your work term, you are an employee of that company and should identify yourself as such
Demonstrate that you are approachable and coachable. Being able to receive constructive feedback and use it to improve is an important skill to have
After one month, take the initiative and request an informal review of your progress
End the day by writing down what expected and unexpected progress you made and what you can do tomorrow

8 must-dos to make the most of your residency

January 17, 2017 Allison Auld Leave a Comment

Don’t be afraid to ask questions

Learn everything you can while you are on your residency. Ask questions of your boss and co-workers; it will show them that you are enthusiastic about learning everything you can about your new position. You are not expected to know everything when you start, and people are usually happy to help.

Be willing to come in early and stay late

Don’t just be on time, be 10 minutes early. At the end of the day, don’t watch the clock and be the first person to hit the exit. Show your boss and co-workers that you have a positive work ethic. Ensure that your work is done and if possible, offer to help a co-worker finish a project so that you can both head out the door.

Dress to impress

You will be judged by your appearance. If you show up to work in casual clothes, and the expectation is formal business attire, you will not evaluated favourably. Model your clothing choices on your boss or supervisor.

Request feedback

Ask for regular updates about your performance. Don’t wait for a scheduled performance review; ask your supervisor for a meeting to discuss how you are doing. That ensures that if you have developed some undesirable habits, you will be aware and able to work on changing them before they become too ingrained.

Take the initiative

Don’t be afraid to ask for more things to do if you are light on work. If your boss is not available to give you more projects, offer to help a co-worker who is struggling to meet a deadline. If you see a more efficient way to do something, suggest it to your boss. There may be a reason it’s not already being done that way, but by making an informed suggestion, you will demonstrate that you are interested and keen to be of service.

Network/build relationships

Use every opportunity that you can to network and make connections. Networking can be done anytime, anyplace, and with anyone. You never know who will be sitting next to you in the lunch room. Make the effort; you never know when it will pay off or how the connections you make during this work term may lead to opportunities in the future.

Make a great impression

There are all kinds of things that you can do to make a great impression during your work term. Start on day one by being authentic, hard-working, interested, and enthusiastic about your new position. Make the most of it!

Leave on a high note

Make sure you’ve met all the obligations and completed all projects. Ensure that your files, contacts, and workspace are all left in an orderly manner so that someone moving into that position can easily pick up where you’ve left off. Don’t leave without making a point of thanking your colleagues for the experience, and leaving the door open for an ongoing connection with your colleagues and the organization. Keep the campsite rule in mind: try to leave the place better than you found it!

To get more ideas on how to make the most of your work term, check out these links.

Management Career Services

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Category: Alumni