Student Spotlight: Himanshu Kumar

October 20, 2020 Management Career Services Leave a Comment

Himanshu Kumar is a third-year Bachelor of Commerce student majoring in Marketing Management. He was born and raised in Bihar, India. Himanshu came to Dalhousie through non-traditional methods, first applying to the Engineering program and eventually attending the University of Manitoba with the hope of transferring to Dalhousie at some point. After one year at UofM, Himanshu realized that he was more interested in the world of marketing. “I was exposed to marketing through some of the electives, and that’s when I realized what my true passion was. I thus set on to ensure I could align my passion with my field of study. I quickly started researching the best available universities with marketing programs, and as I would have imagined, Dalhousie University seemed to be the right choice. The coursework, pedagogy, global ranking of the university and the mandatory co-op program again put Dalhousie on my dream list.” Himanshu added. With Himanshu’s hard work and determination, he increased his GPA and secured a place in his newly desired dream program here at Dalhousie.

Himanshu quickly began looking for work that would allow him to gain marketing experiences while simultaneously building his resume. He received a part-time job in sales and marketing that allowed him to do just that, “I was able to secure a job at a Mobile boutique store. This job helped me develop many of the interpersonal skills that are key to the field of marketing.” Himanshu added.

Despite the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic, Himanshu landed his fall work term at Proposify as a Product Marketing Intern in early summer. In his job search, Himanshu sought the help of his Career and Recruitment Specialist to prepare and worked hard to find his dream job. Himanshu believes that the help and aid of Management Career Services allowed him to become more of a polished professional individual, “MCS has played a major role in developing my career. MCS’s support in resume review, mock interviews, and career counselling has helped me equip myself better for the corporate world. I believe, through their services, MCS has helped me build myself as a much more skilled and polished individual. I am ever thankful for the mentor that I have found in Jonathan Perry.” Himanshu added. In this role, Himanshu is involved with competitive intelligence, blog writing, and many other product marketing facets. “Proposify has truly helped me put my classroom learnings into practice in the corporate world. It has given me a plethora of learning opportunities with the safety net of the supportive team,” Himanshu added.

The ongoing pandemic has affected every one of us in very different ways. Himanshu has taken this time to work on gaining skills and developing a healthy lifestyle, “A gregarious person that I am, I always enjoy being in the company of other beings. The current situation of lockdowns and social distancing has thus not been very encouraging for me as an individual. I have used this time to keep myself busy by learning new skills, reading the long-pending books that I had on my to-read list, pursuing hobbies that I always wanted to and, most importantly, developing a healthy and active lifestyle. This entire process has made me a much more disciplined and determined individual than I was ever before.”

Tips from Himanshu:

Follow your dreams and choose a career path that you are passionate about.
Social media platforms like LinkedIn are powerful tools to help you understand various career paths and connect with the right individuals. Use them to the best of your ability.
Put yourself out there and get involved in on-campus activities (or virtual events for the time being).

You can follow Himanshu on Instagram at himanshu_sawarn.

Student Spotlight: Vaishnavi Vemireddy

October 13, 2020 Management Career Services Leave a Comment

Vaishnavi Vemireddy is a recent Dalhousie Graduate originally from Nellore, India. She graduated from the CRMBA program with a focus on Enterprise Analytics. Vaishnavi has found that the CRMBA program has set her up with the confidence to launch her professional career in Canada. For Vaishnavi’s eight-month CRMBA Co-op, she had the opportunity to work with the Medavie Blue Cross where she worked as a Data Scientist. This position was ideal for her because it has always been her passion to work with a blend of technical expertise and business knowledge.

After graduation this May, Vaishnavi was hired as a project Consultant at Cosgrove and Co-Management Consulting on a project basis. Currently, Vaishnavi is working from home and partially in person. “I have had a positive experience so far. Though it gives me a lot of flexibility with my personal and professional work, it’s hard to communicate, especially when you are a newbie in the company,” she said.

When asked about if she has faced any challenges with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, she mentioned, “Like everyone, I have been impacted by COVID-19, especially in terms of delayed processing of my work permit. However, I have started to accept this new normal and will always try to follow the guidelines to be safe while promoting a safe and healthy community.”

Although Vaishnavi is currently working, she has been offered a position as a Data Specialist at JD Irving and will be starting that position on November 2nd. This opportunity is perfect for Vaishnavi because of its versatility and mix between her two ideal work environments. Through Vaishnavi’s time at Dalhousie, she has learned the importance of networking and maintaining connections with employers. Networking led her to become connected to the HR department at JD Irving during the Dalhousie career fair, which opened the door for her upcoming grad job.

Following the job fair, a LinkedIn job posting brought Vaishnavi to apply for the position.

“After I applied through LinkedIn, the processes included three rounds of interviews: general fit, technical round and a round with VP Strategy assessing my behavioral stamina through scenario-based questions.”

Vaishnavi mentioned, “I must credit MCS for equipping me with not just relevant job-related information but for providing resources (resume prep, LinkedIn usage, etc.) to successfully obtain interviews despite unforeseen economic conditions.” Vaishnavi added.

Vaishnavi’s advice for other students

Accept the current situation and be open to various opportunities. Don’t get disappointed if you don’t find your dream job right after graduation. You have to start somewhere to realize those dreams.

Check out more from Vaishnavi!

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vaishmba
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hanivaish/

Student Spotlight: Margaret Lewis

October 6, 2020 Management Career Services Leave a Comment

Margaret Lewis is from Halifax, Nova Scotia, and she has lived there almost her whole life. She graduated from Dalhousie’s Corporate Residency MBA program in June 2019. Before completing her MBA, she completed a Bachelor of Science in Psychology also at Dalhousie.

During her MBA, she found an internship at Scotiabank as a Small Business Advisor. In this role, she worked with small business clients and students in professional programs. Up until recently, she worked as a Business Analyst. This role was responsible for project management, providing analytical support on marketing initiatives, conducting market analyses and creating business process workflows, flowcharts and product documentation

Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, she was laid off from her Business Analyst role., “I knew that it would be difficult for job searching, but I tried to remain positive,” she said. Marketing has always been Margaret’s true passion, so she knew she needed to continue finding her dream job. One successful approach for Margaret was reaching out to individuals who worked within the industry to talk to them about their marketing experiences and any advice. Over the last five months, she met with many people virtually to continue her search. She mentioned that she was very grateful for the opportunity and appreciated the knowledge that it gave her.

Another way that Margaret stayed positive thought her job search was her continued effort to become more qualified. She took online courses and certification relevant to the areas she wanted to work in, such as Google Ads, Google analytics and some HubSpot marketing courses. Continuing to learn and study helped her stay motivated and increased her desirability to employers.

Margaret’s continued effort finally paid off, and she has just received an Advertising Analyst position at a local Halifax marking company. She is set to begin this month and is excited about what the role has to offer; she added, “I am excited for this role as it will combine my passion for marketing and analytics and work with a great team.”. Due to the ongoing pandemic, Margaret will be working from home but is not concerned because her employer has an extensive virtual onboarding/training program.

Margaret’s Advice:

“The advice I would give others going through the job search is to network with as many individuals as possible because each person you speak with will provide a different perspective and new advice. There are also many great free resources (e.g. certifications and courses) online that can make you stand out to potential employers. Lastly, know that you are not alone. This is a difficult time for all job hunters, but the right opportunity will come along when you least expect it!”

Student Spotlight: Aaron Sophocleous

September 29, 2020 Management Career Services Leave a Comment

Aaron Sophocleous is a fourth-year Bachelor of Commerce student with a focus in Finance. He is originally from Moncton, New Brunswick and chose Dalhousie University because of its location in Halifax, NS, “I love the city and wanted to stay close to home in the Maritimes,” Aaron added. Aaron knew that the Commerce co-op program was for him because of the co-op opportunities because it allows him to gain work experience while obtaining a business degree.

Aaron’s three work terms were all related to sales and trading within the capital markets in Toronto. His first two were with Scotiabank working with the Global Banking and Markets on the Prime Services and Foreign Exchange desk. His last co-op was with TD Securities on the Government Finance desk.

Throughout all Aaron’s work terms, he gained exposure to working on a trading floor in a fast-paced working environment and improves not only his communication skills while learning technical and financial knowledge.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, Aaron learned what is was like to work remotely. He managed to make the most of the situation. “It was a unique and rewarding experience with virtual networking opportunities, personal development workshops and the opportunity to work with a talented team.” he added.

Throughout his co-op search, Management Career Services helped Aaron secure his positions by ensuring that his CV was catered to each employer and position. He also mentioned that working with MCS helped him to prepare for his grad job search.

Keen to obtain post-graduate employment, Aaron began his grad job search early, and recently secured a full-time position with TD Securities after graduation.

“My work term with the firm allowed me to network and secure a job upon completing the Bachelor of Commerce, Co-op program.” Aaron added that working within his network was especially critical as the pandemic has brought “a profound level of uncertainty.” He is excited to be starting his career with TD amidst the evolving workplace environment within the industry.

Aaron has secured his full-time position following his graduation in May. He will be joining TD Securities full-time in August 2021. He mentioned, “I am excited and look forward to entering the Sales and Trading Rotational Associate program at TD Securities.”

Aaron’s resume is very impressive outside of his work terms, a great way to show potential employers that they are a well-rounded candidate. Aaron is a very involved student and has significantly contributed to the Rowe School of Business. In the past, he has been involved with the Dalhousie Student Union by being an Orientation Week Leader and Committee Member, an appointed member of the Budget and Finance Committee, and a part-time staff member. Aaron is currently serving as a Student Senator on the Dalhousie University Senate and representing the Faculty of Management on the Dalhousie Student Union Student Senate Caucus. One of Aaron’s most impressive accomplishments is being the founder and President of the RoweOUT Society. This society works to represent all 2SLGBTQ+ students at the Rowe School of Business. The society aims to represent and promote diversity, inclusion and belongingness when connecting students to D&I recruitment opportunities and Dal alumni networks.

Aaron’s story is a great example of a conscientious student who put the work in to achieve his goals. Through his hard work, he was able to land three work terms in his desired field, and a position upon graduation. Looking to secure a job after graduation? Contact your Career and Recruitment Specialist. Many companies are eager to hire Dalhousie grads – just ask Aaron!

Aaron’s advice for current students:

My advice to students would be to follow your dreams and not to give up no matter which obstacle comes your way, precisely when it comes to challenges facing competition.

Student Spotlight: Nick Usher-Jones

September 22, 2020 Management Career Services Leave a Comment

Nick Usher Jones is a third-year commerce student completing his marketing major. Originally from Toronto, Ontario, Nick chose to attend Dalhousie because of Halifax’s location and desirable co-op program. “I chose the Dalhousie Commerce program because I think Halifax is a wonderful place to live, and it is a great change of scenery from Toronto,” he said, “I was very fascinated with Dalhousie’s Commerce program because of their co-op. I knew that the co-op program would allow me to make connections in the business world and gain quality work experience. Business is also something that I am very fascinated by, and Dalhousie is known to have a terrific Commerce Program.” he added.

Nick’s first co-op was at BMW in Toronto, Ontario, as a Junior Accounting Clerk. This job gave him the experiences he needed to develop his time management skills and become more detail oriented. “It was difficult at first, but my supervisor and co-workers helped me get there. The balance of time-management and attention to detail that I learned to apply to my work is a powerful tool that I will use for my future career.”

Nick sought the help of Management Career Services for coaching and to ensure that his resume looked appealing to the employer. This assistance allowed him to have a completely customized application that is crucial for securing any co-op position. He found a position he was interested in at Digital Nova Scotia and at the advice of his Career and Recruitment Specialist, Jonathan Perry, Nick got creative.

“Jonathan gave me the advice to connect with students who have had the same position that I was interested in. Through LinkedIn, I found the student who was working for Digital Nova Scotia this summer. I asked Jonathan to put me in touch with the student to learn more about Digital Nova Scotia and the position. The student gave me great information, which made me more interested in the job,” he said. Nick secured the position as a project coordinator at Digital Nova Scotia. He is looking forward to having the opportunity to apply his written and verbal communication skills. “In my last position as a Junior Accounting Clerk, I didn’t get the opportunity to do many interpersonal tasks,” he added.

Nick is hoping that this position will allow him to expand his network and connect with other Nova Scotia-based businesses. Like many other students, Nick is working remotely. “So far, working from home has been off to a great start. I have already built relationships with my co-workers, and I am looking forward to the rest of my co-op term!”.

Nick found that his approach allowed him to have a great connection within the company. He mentioned the importance of having a significant online presence, including on LinkedIn. He noted that an online presence could increase your chance of securing interviews and being more successful in your co-op search. Nick also added, “LinkedIn gives co-op students an advantage to secure interviews for placements. I find this because you are giving the employer more information by having a profile, and you can connect with future employers and co-workers. This effort also helped me stay motivated to keep searching for placements during a challenging time.”

Student Spotlight: Nicole Vander Doelen

September 15, 2020 Management Career Services Leave a Comment

Nicole Vander Doelen is originally from Newmarket Ontario and is entering her third year of the Bachelor of Commerce Program.

Nicole took a year off of high school to make sure that she was making the right decision when it came to what school and program she wanted to attend. She mentioned that Dalhousie was always on her list because of the co-op program and past family members have also attended the school.

For Nicole’s first work term, she worked at RBC Technology and Operations, out of the Bedford office as a Business Analyst and Project Coordinator on the transformation and strategic initiatives team. While searching for her first work term, Nicole had her sights on a finance position. Her approach to securing her first position did not go unseen.

“I was set on getting a job with one of the big banks. I went to countless networking events and applied to over 30+ jobs on myCareer.” She said, adding “I ended up securing a co-op with RBC through reaching out to people in my network. I did apply through myCareer but truly secured the interview by speaking with RBC talent recruiters.”

Nicole noted that she did have some challenges with her first work term, but persevered and ended up really enjoying things. “The position was not what I had expected. I got so caught up in just securing a job with a big bank I misunderstood the position. It was not as finance focused as I had thought, but I ended up working on an amazing energetic team that allowed me to network within the bank. I was able to gain some insight and understanding into private banking, wealth management, and capital markets.”

Overall, Nicole added “The position gave me the information I needed to make the decision that I did not want to be a finance major,” a valuable insight into her career path afforded to work-integrated learning students.

Following her first co-op position, Nicole made some changes to her job search approach. She discussed what changed her approach and, “with the help of the academic report for the co-op work term, I was able to work through and decide what kind of position I truly wanted post grad. I was able to figure out that a major in marketing would make the most sense as I am mostly interested in selling, pitching, and content creation as I love to talk and be creative. So, I found myself very interested in brand management and advertising management. From there I spoke with recent Dal marketing grads and found that securing a co-op that will supply me with experience in digital marketing and brand management would be an asset.”

When working to find her fall 2020 work term, Nicole said that the ongoing pandemic added some pressure and caused her to become creative when it came to secure her co-op position. Through her job searched, Nicole found Venture for Canada, an online portal that can help students find work terms. She mentioned that this platform changed her application process and provided her with lots of support.

Nicole said that Venture for Canada was very easy to use. She just had to send in a quick application and after 3 days of them reviewing it, they accepted her and gave her full access to their job board. They also sent her resume directly to employers they thought she would be a good fit for. Before she even looked at the job posts she already had an email from a potential employer asking her to send them a cover letter as they were intrigued by her resume. She applied to 6 positions and heard back from all of them.

Venture for Canada called her after she accepted and informed her that their support doesn’t end there and they actually will be giving her access to their online library in September. Their online library includes free courses and webinars on a variety of subjects including brand management and web development which are both two of her interests. The best part of Venture for Canada is that all the positions posted on there are Canadian start-ups. After securing her co-op she talked to some friends who work in full time marketing positions and found out they actually secured their jobs post grad through Venture for Canada. Nicole added “I think it is a great asset for students looking for real experience and to get their hands dirty, all while supporting local Canadian start-ups.”

Nicole’s Fall position is a communication and marketing associate position with GetintheLoop. She mentioned that she could not be happier with her placement and is enjoying it after her first couple of weeks.

Nicole’s Advice for Students entering the recruitment process for co-op:

Know what you want. If you cannot explain your ideal co-op, then you won’t be able to find it.
MCS is there to help and provide positing but only you can put in that extra step to finding your ideal co-op position.
I highly recommend VFC for any student looking for a co-op, even if you don’t find one on VFC it’s a great network to have access to.

Follow Nicole on LinkedIn!

Check out MCS’s article about finding self-developed jobs through programs like Venture for Canada here.

*Please note, Venture for Canada is a program of the Government of Canada and supports Canadian students and permanent residents.

Student Spotlight – Jessica Quinn

August 14, 2020 Management Career Services Leave a Comment

Born and raised in Toronto, Jessica Quinn is going into her third year of the Dalhousie Commerce program. She was keen on this program because of the co-op opportunities. Jessica wanted to be able to try different areas of commerce to determine what she enjoyed and to gain real-life experience.

For the first work term, Jessica worked with Prime Quadrant, an investment boutique, as a Rotational Student role. This allowed her to work with the Investment team, Client service, Office Administration, Operations, and Compliance. She said she gained great exposure to finance by having the opportunity to work in these different areas. Jessica recently spoke to Management Career Services about how she secured her next work term.

“My next co-op work term is as an Ultra High Net Worth Associate in the Enterprise Strategic Client Group at RBC. This role was secured through my own networking. I started to network with people at large banks at the end of my time at Prime Quadrant.” Jessica said.

Unfortunately, Covid-19 prevented her from networking face-to-face but that did not stop her from speaking with people. “I was connected to someone at RBC who very kindly met with me on a video call. She introduced me to one of her team members who kindly provided me with an information interview. During these videos and calls, I asked questions about their particular industry and the roles they had held. I also took the opportunity to discuss the ideas I had for my next co-op. My third call with RBC was yet another introduction and that led to an interview for a role. I then had a video interview two days later and received a job offer later that week!” She added.

The entire experience showed Jessica the importance of networking; speaking with people, asking questions, and being introduced to their network. She mentioned the other thing she learned is the importance of following up. She said that if someone offers to speak with you, follow up with an email asking them when they are available and then follow up with a thank-you email.

As for her job search process, Jessica credits MCS coaching services “I met with both Shelley and Robert from the MCS office and they were both extremely helpful,” said Jessica. “They provided me with ideas on how to go about securing a co-op. Shelley actually pushed me to get involved in extracurricular activities which led me to join DALIS (Dalhousie Investment Society) so I could learn more about finance and network with other students. MCS has been an incredibly helpful resource for me during both of my co-op searches.”

Jessica’s short-term goals are to further develop her analytical skills, gain experience in the banking industry, and develop her leadership skills through extra-curricular activities. “I am extremely excited about the opportunity to be a part of RBC Wealth Management Team, I will look to strengthen my Excel and data organization skills while aiming to provide value within my role.” She added. For her current long-term goals, Jessica consists of completing her CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) upon graduating from Dalhousie University and land a position that will lead to leadership opportunities.

To learn more about Jessica’s story, follow her on Instagram @jessicakquinn

Tips of the week from Jessica on effective networking:

“Follow Up. The follow up is the most important part of networking. It keeps communication/conversation going.”
“Thank You. Make sure you are appreciative of the time people offer you. Most people are incredibly busy and have taken time out of their day to speak with you.”
“Be informed and be ready. Make sure you are informed about the role/company/industry of the person you are speaking with. Have your questions ready! This is your conversation to lead. Also, it is important you are fully prepared. You want to leave a good impression!”
“Have an open mind. Having an open mind when you are networking/job searching is important. When you start networking, people will want to introduce you to someone they know who they think may be helpful. It is important that you take them up on their offer as you never know where these conversations will lead you.”

‘We chose to invest for growth’: How one employer saw student success during the COVID Pandemic

July 15, 2020 Management Career Services Leave a Comment

When the COVID-19 pandemic escalated quickly earlier this year, a number of employers had to make decisions quickly on staffing – including their student employees. Dalhousie Management Career Services recently spoke to one student employer about the challenges they faced and how they were able to find student success for their summer work terms.

Michael Gremley is a Corporate Development Manager at Nova Leap Health Corp., an international personal home care and support services provider headquartered in Nova Scotia. As an essential service providing medical care, Nova Leap already faced a number of operational challenges providing personal protective gear and implementing enhanced public health guidelines to protect frontline staff and clients. However, this did not stop them from hiring business co-op students to assist in their corporate office functions. In fact, as Michael said, it was a priority for Nova Leap.

“Companies generally have two choices during a period of economic decline – they can scale back operations or they can continue to invest for growth. We chose to invest for growth,” he said. “The ongoing training of students who we believe can contribute in a meaningful way to our organization remains a priority.”

Likewise, Dalhousie Management Career Services made a quick pivot to help employers access funding, conduct interviews remotely, and (as an offering for the summer work term) streamlined the hiring process by providing a resume book of available students. Nova Leap made use of the resume book to hire a student in a short time frame; something Michael said was a very useful tool for their organization.

“The resume book allowed us immediate access to review a list of tailored co-op students based on overlapping study specialization and prior co-op experiences,” he said, adding that “it was a positive experience as it presented a more efficient hiring process.”

And while the concept of hiring students to work remotely may seem daunting to some, Michael added that they have had great success working with their students. Dalhousie business students come prepared with top notch technology skills and can quickly adapt, something Michael said he experienced with the students he hired.

“Students are very good at adapting to situations quickly which makes communication and workflow a lot easier to manage,” he said. “In our case, we are leveraging technology and the students are doing a great job.”

Michael also encourages employers to seek out funding opportunities, many of which are temporarily enhanced to support student employment during the pandemic.

“There are a number of grant opportunities available to partially offset some of the hiring costs. This makes the proposition that much more attractive for an employer,” he said.

Overall, Michael said he recommends hiring students to help your organization cope with trying times.

“The one thing that remains constant in business is that there are always areas that require continuous improvement. Leveraging the skills of a student can help make those necessary improvements,” he said.

Interested in hiring a student, or curious about accessing funding programs? Contact our Employer Development team at:

Nova Scotia Employers
Cindy Ryan
Employer Development Coordinator
Cindy.Ryan@dal.ca
902.219.2548

Ontario and other Canada Employers
Ayse Dai-Gammon
Employer Development Manager
ayse.gammon@dal.ca
902.220.2237

Student Spotlight – Xiyu Zhou

July 14, 2020 Management Career Services Leave a Comment

Xiyu Zhou is a third-year Finance student from Changsha, China. She chose the Dalhousie Commerce program for the unique Co-op opportunities to gain more practical experience. Xiyu is now working as an Information & Resource Specialist at TEAM Work Cooperative. Xiyu recently spoke to Management Career Services about how she secured her current work term through the pandemic.

Like many students, Xiyu mentioned that the pandemic has impacted her a lot. As most of the offices are closed now, many student positions were cancelled.

“Even though there were many active postings, many were funded by the Canada Summer Job Program, and international students are not eligible for this fund, which means I had fewer opportunities and more pressure,” she said.

After talking to her MCS Career and Recruitment Specialist, Maggie Ma, Xiyu decided to send applications to different employers to seek opportunities as well as keep networking with her past co-workers. In the end, Xiyu was able to find a term with her previous work term employer, TEAM Work Cooperative.

Xiyu now works from home, and said she has found some benefits from remote work. She enjoys not having a commute and the quiet at home. However, Xiyu said she also faced some difficulties working at home. The most significant one is that she cannot quickly discuss her work with co-workers as she could if she was working in the same office, and often has to rely on returning emails.

Although working remotely made the work time more flexible for Xiyu, she said she usually sets a schedule for herself every day to maintain productivity. “Working in a quiet room alone is a great way to keep you focused,” she added.

Xiyu’s short term goal is to find an internship job at a financial institution next summer. After graduation, she hopes to take a master’s degree or potentially focus on human resources management, as she enjoys trying out different fields to explore more career options.

To learn more about Xiyu’s story, follow her on Instagram @Xyuzblair.

Tips of the week from Xiyu Zhou on how to do the job search during the pandemic:

“The trick to finding a job is’ never to say never’. Never give up one single opportunity and put a little faith in yourself.”
“Preparing a well-written resume is essential. A cover-letter focusing in the position that you are applying for will give employers a good first impression, which could decide whether you get the interview or not.”
“After you get the interview, take some time to do your research about the company and the position. Preparing answers to the interview questions they might ask. A mock interview will be really helpful before the real one. You can always book an appointment with your Career and Recruitment Specialist to get help or attend workshops hosted by Management Career Services.”

Student Spotlight – Kate Costaris

June 4, 2020 Management Career Services Leave a Comment

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Originally from Caledon, Ontario, Kate Costaris is a fourth-year Bachelor of Commerce student majoring in Accounting and is also pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Economics. Kate is currently completing her third work term as a Marketing and Operations Co-op Student at Bitstrapped, a technology start up founded by Dalhousie Alumni Jesse Albiston. Kate recently spoke to Management Career Services about how she secured her current work term and what it is like for co-op students working from home.

For Kate’s third work term, she knew exactly what she wanted to do but did not know how to get there. Kate had visited Management Career Services numerous times throughout her degree and decided to ask for help networking to secure her dream work term.

“I called (former Career and Recruitment Specialist ) Lori Bauld and asked if she had names of Alumni I could connect with in Toronto for a coffee chat to learn more about the industry I was looking to pursue.” Kate said. “I ended up meeting with my now manager! It is really difficult for students to find jobs as we have limited experience, but I found networking and meeting for informational interviews was the most helpful way to overcome the difficulty of finding a job. As your network grows, you are able to learn what you want, and the more confident you are with your aspirations, the more willing others are to help.”

While Kate secured her work term before the pandemic, Management Career Services is still helping students network using online tools and by phone.

Based on the current situation, working from home has become a fact everyone must face. Kate mentioned that working from home is obviously much more comfortable. The flexible schedule her workplace offered during this time means that she has more time to be productive because the hours are not stuck with the 9 am to 5 pm timeline. However, Kate said there is difficulty to balance time and separate work and life because people are living in the same space they are working in.

Kate shared her tips to minimize distractions when she works from home with us. “I treat my days as though I am working from the office, so I will put my phone away and have a consistent workplace in my home where I drink my coffee and do my work!” she said. She added that it can be a challenge to minimize distractions such as noise because that is out of her control, but she makes sure to only have her work equipment around her, so she does not have the opportunity to be distracted.

When talking about her career goals, Kate said that she still has two years left in her degrees, so she aims to continue exploring the technology industry. In the long-term, Kate wants to pursue a post-graduate degree, designation, or some sort of specialization.

To follow Kate’s success, follow her on Instagram @katecosty

Tips of the week from Kate Costaris on online interview and how to get motivated though working:

“For an online interview, my best tip is to keep your resume in view! When they ask you to describe your experiences, it is nice to have the confidence of knowing the key takeaways are right in front of you. As well, I would recommend keeping your upper body relaxed and letting your nerves settle below the cameras’ view. If you tend to have shaky hands keep them below your desk.”
“I keep myself motivated through self-set deadlines! I organize meetings with my team to present my work to ensure I get it done by a certain date. I find setting small attainable goals throughout the day makes me feel accomplished every day instead of setting larger goals because if you do not accomplish much during a day, it might make you lose motivation towards a bigger goal.”

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