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Could a Rotational or Development Program be the right post-grad job for you?

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Rotational Programs for GradsIf you are graduating (or have already graduated) and have not heard about rotational or leadership development programs before, read on!  They may be the perfect solution for establishing yourself as a professional while enhancing your exposure to a given company and enhancing your growth potential within it. So what are they exactly?

Rotational programs provide new graduates with the opportunity to explore the various functions of an organization. By the time you have completed the program, you should have a well-rounded understanding of how the organization operates and how different departments interact.

Development programs offer a slightly different experience but are also a powerful step to launch a career. The programs are designed to accelerate career growth, personal development, and early roles of responsibility.

Here are some examples of employers that offer programs like these:

Other examples include:

How to apply

Most graduate rotational and leadership development programs conduct their application and hiring process in September, some start even earlier. If you are interested in learning more or want to apply, visit the site links provided above and look for relevant job postings on myCareer under the Career Services section of the site. You may also have the opportunity to connect directly with recruiters for these companies on campus before you graduate, as some may be hosting information sessions or participating in career fairs. Check the myCareer event calendar to see the full event list and register to attend.

Scholarship Opportunity to Attend the 38th Annual ISCEBS Employee Benefits Symposium

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ISCEBS Symposium FB Post (1)Two lucky Dalhousie students have a chance to earn a scholarship to attend the 38th Annual ISCEBS Employee Benefits Symposium in New Orleans, Louisiana, from September 8 – 11, 2019. Students interested in risk management, insurance, actuarial science, computer science, or financial services will enjoy educational sessions on benefits, financial services, wellness, and compliance. There will also be many professional networking opportunities with Canadian and American organizations. This opportunity is open to 3rd and 4th-year students who are interested in entering the employment benefits industry.

To be considered, submit a 500-word expression of interest, resume, and transcript to Shelley LaMorre at Shelley.LaMorre@dal.ca.  Deadline to apply is Wednesday, May 22nd at 12 noon. Scholarship recipients must attend the entire conference and write a 500-word reflection paper on their conference experience.

For more information on the conference CLICK HERE.

For more information on the scholarship read the ISCEBS Information Package 2019

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

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UPassThis 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:

  1. Login to myCareer, click on Management Career Services.
  2. Scroll down to locate your co-op sequence on the right-hand side of the screen.
  3. Click the link for the appropriate work term to access your work term record.
  4. 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: Olivia Fitzpatrick

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Our Student Spotlight features a student who has truly set an example for how to make the most of a co-op. Olivia Fitzpatrick, a 4th year Commerce student majoring in Marketing Management, has recently accepted an offer for full-time employment with her former co-op employer, Dash Hudson, a local company that focuses on helping businesses grow their brand through Instagram. Olivia Fitzpatrick

Olivia is from Bedford, Nova Scotia, and was drawn to Dalhousie and the Commerce program because of the opportunities available to gain real-world experience before graduation through work-integrated learning and experiential learning opportunities. She has achieved this by not only completing the three required co-op work terms, but also by opting to spend a semester studying abroad in France in her third year and by participating in the Rowe School of Business’ Israel Exchange this past year. On top of that, she is also a heavily involved member of the Dalhousie Community.

“Once at school, I got involved with anything I could. I’ve held various roles in The Dalhousie Commerce Society over three years as well as an executive position in the Rowe Women in Business Association for the past two years. […] I really just threw myself into whatever the school had to offer.”

After spending her first co-op work term at an accounting firm, Olivia realized that marketing might be a better fit for her. When it came time to begin her second work term job search, she knew that she wanted to try something completely different. At the time, Dash Hudson was still in the start-up phase of its operation. She found the prospect of working for a growing business to be very appealing, especially with the added responsibility that it would involve.

She joined Dash Hudson in the fall of 2017 as a Brand Strategy Intern on the company’s Demand Generation team. “My first role in Demand Generation really taught me a lot about hard work – it was a hustle to get all of my work done each day and it was at a time in the company where co-op students had the opportunity to take on a lot of responsibility, which I loved.”

Even before she had completed her first co-op with Dash Hudson, she had already taken the initiative to develop a new co-op position with the Sales Division and become that team’s first intern. According to Olivia, the company culture helped encourage her to pursue this possibility. In her words, “Dash Hudson is a company that not only supports, but also encourages you to constantly grow and develop your own ways to contribute to the overall company growth.”

On her second and final co-op with Dash Hudson she was able to gain a lot of hands-on experience and a greater understanding of their customer process.

Olivia didn’t approach her final co-op with the intention of securing post-grad employment, but rather she focused her efforts on learning as much as she could in her new role and also on better realizing her own strengths and weaknesses. While her post-grad plans were unclear at the end of last summer when she wrapped-up her work term, it was ultimately her proven dedication to her work, and to the organization, along with the strong relationships she had built with the team’s senior leadership, that would open the door to creating a self-developed full-time opportunity.

“When I heard through my old boss at the company that they were opening a UK Office in January 2019 with one employee, I knew I absolutely NEEDED to be the second [employee]. I reached out to the CEO and my old boss (who, by this time, I had known for over a year and a half) and they agreed to let me pitch my new position to them. Fast-forward to roughly three months later: we’ve created a job description together and I am set to move [to the UK] in July!”

Olivia’s new role will allow her to draw on and apply the skills and experience she earned over her two work terms with the organization.

“My new job title is UK Brand Strategist, so I will be mainly working on all things necessary to grow Dash Hudson’s UK brand presence. This includes everything from marketing and events in the UK to leading generation and sales development. Basically, anything that needs to be done to get Dash Hudson’s name out there in the UK!”

While her new role will come with a significant amount of responsibility compared to her co-op experience, Olivia feels confident in her ability to fulfill the role.

“I think they ultimately chose me for this role because they’ve seen me put in work from the start. As someone who has been with the company since it’s relatively early days, my enthusiasm to go after this role on my own really proved to them that I was ready to take it on. It’s a big responsibility and I think I’m most excited about the fact that they’ve trusted me with this opportunity to really take ownership of this role.”

Although it clearly took an abundance of different attributes and skills to accomplish everything that she has thus far, Olivia has identified the key trait that has defined her success – hard work.

“Be the co-op student that is willing to go beyond what is asked of you and take on more responsibility. Also, don’t be afraid to take initiative. Employers recognize that and it will open doors for you in the future.”

Are you looking to take control of your grad job search and optimize the outcomes? Check out the variety of full-time and grad job opportunities posted under the Career Services section of myCareer and book an appointment with your Career and Recruitment Specialist to receive one-on-one advice and support.

Student Spotlight: Jason Watts

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Jason WattsOur Student Spotlight this week highlights a local student who has had success with Venture for Canada’s Atlantic Internship Program. Jason Watts, a second-year Commerce student majoring in Marketing, has spent his first co-op term this winter with Black Star Wealth Partners as a Marketing Assistant in Halifax.

Jason and his family moved from India to Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia when he was only 4 years old and it has been his home ever since. Choosing to go to school at Dalhousie was an easy decision for him to make since his mother worked for the university. He found himself drawn to the Commerce program in particular because of the three co-op terms, expecting that they will help him become more employable upon graduation.  He is also a proud member of the Dalhousie Football Club, having played a key role in their undefeated championship season this year as a veteran on the roster.

Last fall, during the job search for his first work term, Jason found himself in a bit of a panic to secure employment. He decided to leverage his personal network by speaking with a well-connected professional with whom he had a good relationship. His contact reached out an employer who happened to have secured Venture for Canada funding and created a myCareer job posting for the upcoming co-op term. As a result of his contact’s recommendation, Jason was fast-tracked to the interview stage of the hiring process with Black Star Wealth Partners. Fortunately, the interview turned into a job offer, which turned out to be a perfect fit. Jason soon realized that he made the right decision, quickly discovering that working for a small business comes with numerous perks that larger companies may not offer.

“I love working for a small business. First of all, you feel like you are part of a team rather than just another face. Secondly, it helped me realize that running your own business isn’t all picture perfect, but that the feeling of success is much greater when completing tasks because they have a big impact on the company right away. This is unlike what some people experience in working for a larger organization where you may not get to see the immediate impact of the work you’re doing.”

After his first experience securing a co-op through Venture for Canada this semester, Jason wants to ensure that it isn’t his last. In his words, “I plan on securing all three of my work terms through the Atlantic Internship Program and have been thinking about applying for their Fellowship program after graduation.”

The Venture for Canada Atlantic Internship Program includes a training conference that participants have the option of attending. The purpose of the conference is to provide students with advice on how to succeed in the workplace and make the most of their co-op experience. Jason was keen to take advantage of this, finding as much value in the networking aspect of the conference as he did in the presentation aspect.

“I attended their two-day training conference where they gave us advice and tips on how to act in the workplace and make the most out of our co-op. Most importantly, it was a huge networking opportunity which I used to my advantage.”

When asked about the most valuable skill he gained during his time at Black Star Wealth Partners, Jason shared the following:

“I’ve learned plenty in my time working at Black Star Wealth; most importantly about the concept of being interested versus committed. If you’re interested in the task/project, you may want to achieve the goal, but it doesn’t mean you’re fully invested. When you are committed, you truly believe in the idea and want to do whatever it takes to accomplish the end goal. I will not only bring this concept with me to my future co-ops but will also apply this to other areas of my life.”

If the Venture for Canada Atlantic Internship Program sounds like something you might be interested in, we encourage you to visit their website. Or if you’re a second-year Commerce student like Jason, you can talk with them in person at our Commerce Summer Social on May 8th in the Rowe atrium. The deadline to apply for their September 2019 program start is right around the corner on July 22, so don’t wait!

Spotlight: Rowe Women in Business Association

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WIBA group photoThis week, we are celebrating the accomplishments of a student society from the Rowe School of Business that has just been named Dalhousie’s Most Impactful General or Special Interest Society, receiving their award at the Dalhousie Impact Awards last Thursday. Since its inception in 2015, the Rowe Women in Business Association (WIBA) has grown its membership and strengthened its programming and initiatives by leaps and bounds. It empowers women to be leaders in the workforce by providing networking events, leadership skill development opportunities, workshops, and an annual conference.

The dedication and commitment of the society’s executive resulted in a series of successful events this academic year that included social activities, charitable fundraisers, student outreach and support, networking with community partners and employer stakeholders, and collaborative initiatives with other societies. Without a doubt 2018/2019 has been WIBA’s most ambitious and most successful year to date.

To get some insider knowledge on WIBA and what it took to earn this award, we caught up with the President of the society, Rosalyn Huynh. Rosalyn is a 4th year BComm student majoring in Accounting and has been involved in WIBA for her entire undergraduate degree. She has thoroughly enjoyed her time with WIBA, especially this year as she fulfilled the role of President.

Rosalyn has been thrilled with how much the association has grown and improved during her tenure. In her words, “This year I really focused on teamwork and empowering individuals to take ownership of their roles. Additionally, we tried to increase General Membership participation through volunteer positions, and I think this will continue to grow next year. Finally, we have two new faculty advisors this year, and with their guidance, the new Executive Team will be able to accomplish even more.”

As successful as this year has been for Rosalyn and her team, it certainly hasn’t come without its challenges.

“I think as a young association there is the freedom of making the organization what you want it to be, but it was also a challenge because you are paving the way, which means creating new processes, establishing relationships, and seeking feedback. I am proud of what we’ve accomplished throughout my four years on WIBA, and I think the next step is to establish an alumni association. Paige Powell, our incoming President has been on the association for three years, and I am 100% confident in her abilities to move the association forward with our current and new initiatives.”

The 2018/2019 academic year has certainly been a busy one for the Women in Business Association. Since the start of the school year, the Dalhousie Commerce Society’s umbrella society has led numerous events and initiatives, including:

  • a SPINCO Charity Ride, where their very own VP Conference Olivia Fitzpatrick was the instructor
  • a fundraiser for the Avalon Sexual Assault Centre, raising $450
  • a Mooseheads x Wings Networking Night, sponsored by Scotiabank

And of course, the shining achievement, their annual conference, which was held on Jan. 18-19 on campus. The event attracted over 100 delegates, which represents a 69% increase over 2018 and enabled them to generate enough revenue to help fund next year’s conference. Students from other universities including Acadia University, Saint Mary’s University, Cape Breton University, and University of British Columbia were in attendance.

For students looking to get more involved, Rosalyn believes the WIBA is the perfect place to start, having shared the following:

“I would encourage students to join WIBA because it is a strongly led organization that runs events applicable to all business students. We have great connections to the community, and our events are well-run and consistent. It is an easy step to be a General Member and can open doors for you. For example, I gained my first co-op through a connection I made when I was a General Member in first year. Students can expect to learn skills from workshops, gain connections, and have a network of students who are ambitious and eager to make an impact.”

As a society, Rowe WIBA has worked hard to embody the values of our Faculty (integrity, inclusion, collaboration, experience, and sustainability) and helped to create a better student experience here at Dalhousie.

“WIBA aims to empower leadership in young women by offering relevant events and opportunities to collaborate with ambitious leaders. Our organization is actually open to members of all genders, and we recently co-hosted an event with the Dalhousie Investment Society.”

There is no doubt that the student leaders in charge of WIBA this year will become the alumni, professionals, and community members that we will be proud of for years to come. Congratulations to WIBA on winning the Most Impactful General or Special Interest Society Award. If you’re curious to learn more, or want to get involved, we encourage you to visit their Facebook page.

MCS Spotlight: Maggie Ma, Career and Recruitment Specialist

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Maggie MaThis week’s spotlight showcases our new Career and Recruitment Specialist, Maggie Ma. Maggie brings a passion for international business and a background rich in helping people achieve their career goals, making her a phenomenal addition to the Management Career Services team. She also has an abundance of experience in areas such as entrepreneurship, engineering, medicine, and international trade.

Maggie is an alumna of Dalhousie, having graduated from the Engineering program in 2009. She brings a breadth of experience and industry-specific intelligence to her role with MCS. For example, upon graduation, Maggie spent several years advising clients to provide industry and trade education on and familiarization with global markets, as well as liaising with prospective international businesses seeking opportunities in Canada.

Maggie later worked for a research and development engineering firm where she oversaw the establishment and operation of a clean energy lab located in Bedford. Shortly thereafter, as a result of the significant experience she had gained, Maggie completed her Project Management Professional certification.

During her time as an independent business consultant, she realized her desire and talent for helping people, particularly young people. Since she had already gained so much experience in this area, it was a natural transition for her to then join the Co-op Office at St. Mary’s University.

At St. Mary’s, Maggie had the opportunity to work with students from across all faculties and disciplines as an Office Coordinator. In this role, her passion and talent for helping others build their career became more apparent than ever, but this time, with a focus on co-op education and work-integrated learning.

“I love helping students from the early stages of the job search through to landing their first job,” says Maggie. “Most students are very energetic and eager, but aren’t sure where to start, which is where I come in.”

Maggie will be available to start meeting with students as of next week (March 18, 2019). The main groups of students that she will be serving include Commerce students interested in International Business (previously assigned to Jonathan Perry) and Managing People & Organizations (previously assigned to Jennifer Coombs), as well as Bachelor of Management students seeking general career coaching. Maggie is thrilled to be working with students from the Rowe School of Business, especially since international business has always been an area of interest for her.

When asked about what advice she would give to her undergraduate self, she responded by saying that she wishes she had been more confident in her own strengths and abilities and had taken advantage of the resources available through the school.

“I would encourage students to remember that employers are there to help you grow through your co-op experience. Learning comes first and everyone is there to help students be successful.”

If you fit into one of the student groups previously mentioned and are keen to meet with Maggie to discuss your co-op goals or just ask questions about your career, be sure to book an appointment with her through myCareer.

Student Spotlight: Katie Hewey & Hayat Showail

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Katie Hewey & Hayat ShowailEach winter, Management Career Services recruits a small team of students to work directly with first-year Commerce Co-op undergraduates as they develop and refine their job application documents.  These Assistant Career & Recruitment Specialists help students prepare for their first co-op job search by providing peer coaching and suggestions for improvement of cover letters and resumes. This year, MCS hired 5 Assistant CRSs, 2 of which happen to be Bachelor of Management students: Katie Hewey and Hayat Showail.

Originally from Annapolis Royal, NS, Katie is in her third year of the Management Program and has recently secured an 8-month internship position with PepsiCo in Sales. Having completed the Internship Prep Seminar in the fall, Katie remarks on the importance of devoting time and effort to a self-developed job search in order to reach your career goals.

“If students can be prepared to self-develop a position by truly putting in the effort and continuously networking, attending company information sessions, leveraging family connections, and booking informational interviews to collect insight on different companies and positions, then they will be well on their way to internship success. Although the Internship program may seem challenging, the job search in the real world is even more challenging. I think that this experience has prepared me immensely for what is to come post-grad, and I encourage all Management students to participate in the program to help prepare them for their futures as well.”

Having come to Canada from the US, Hayat is in her second year of the Management Program, majoring in Environment, Sustainability & Society, and recently applied to participate in the optional Bachelor of Management Internship Program.

“Dalhousie is a beacon for sustainability and that drove my decision to come to Halifax. Looking at the program combinations that can be taken with [my major] I was intrigued by the Management Internship Program. Not only will I learn systems thinking, complex problem solving, and current events, but I can gain the tools and experiences that will empower me to make changes within the system.”

We recently connected with Katie and Hayat to learn more about what motivated them to apply their skills and experience to empowering the career success of first-year Commerce students as part of our Assistant CRS team.

How did you discover your talent for helping others and why did you decide to pursue the opportunity to be an Assistant CRS?

Katie: I was really drawn to this opportunity because having the ability to help younger students in a position that I was once in myself, seemed like such a rewarding experience. It was so exciting to me that passing on what I’ve learned about resume and cover letter documents could potentially help students to secure a work term or summer job. As I began advising, I soon realized that what I was saying actually resonated with the students and that each one of them left the session with a clearer understanding than when they came in.

Hayat: When I visited the Career Services office at the Bissett Student Success Centre, I found my US resume was not adequate for the standards of the Canadian job market. After revising my resume and creating a cover letter with a Peer Advisor I realized I wanted to help other students to do the same. As a Peer Advisor at Career Services, I found it very rewarding to help students with their resumes, cover letters, interview skills, job searches, and LinkedIn profiles. When I discovered the opportunity to be an ACRS and help students in my own faculty with their resumes and cover letters, I applied.

How has helping first-year students with their job application documents help you to improve your own? In other words, what have you learned and how do you think it will help you down the road?

Katie: It has made me more aware of the importance of a good cover letter and resume and the significance of ‘small jobs.’  Students often struggle with being able to highlight the skills they developed from jobs that they deem ‘unimportant’ such as working in retail or fast food. Having to remind students that these jobs are, in fact, very important, has helped me to grow as an advisor by continuously reminding me that no matter how insignificant a job or extracurricular role may seem, there is always value to be found and skills to draw from.

Hayat: I’ve learned from my students about current job market trends from their previous experiences as well as different job market standards worldwide. This has really opened my eyes to various regionally-specific standards, which is important to understand for when I apply to full-time positions post-graduation.

Based on your time so far as an Assistant CRS, what do students tend to struggle with the most when it comes to cover letters and resumes, and how do you help them work through it?

Both: Action statements and cover letters!

Katie: Many students have tremendous experiences, but simply do not know how to articulate the skills gained or how they can translate it into something an employer is seeking. Action statements follow a simple formula, they should always begin with the skill you gained, followed by how/why you developed that skill using a very specific example, and end with the result of that situation.

Hayat: I have most commonly found that students only include 2 of the 3 elements, most likely leaving out the “result” of their work. The result of the tasks you are doing are very intuitive to you and may seem like a nuance to add, but your job is to make it easy for the person reviewing your resume to see what you have accomplished

Katie: With cover letters, the middle paragraphs are what students struggle with the most. The middle paragraphs are where the student should be proving the skills they mentioned in their introduction through specific experiences they have had. I encourage students to think of a cover letter like an essay: it has an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.

Hayat: For cover letters, I find that students struggle with formatting the letter correctly, I have seen cover letters of all shapes and sizes by now and I always say the simpler and cleaner it is, the better. Try avoiding Word templates, they usually aren’t the best.

If you are a first-year Commerce Co-op student looking for help with your job application assignment, you can take advantage of daily drop-in advising sessions until this Friday, March 8, 2019. Students can opt to book an appointment for faster service or drop-in to Room 4001 during the scheduled times as listed on the myCareer Events Calendar.

Alumni Spotlight: Molly Marcott

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Molly MarcottA recent graduate of Dalhousie’s Bachelor of Commerce Co-op program, Molly Marcott, shares what it was like to compete in the in the #HireMeHalifax pitch competition and explains why current students and fellow recent grads should challenge themselves to participate in it this year.

Students who enter the #HireMeHalifax pitch competition are asked to submit a 30-second video pitch by Monday, March 4, on why Halifax employers should hire them. A panel of business leaders will select the top ten finalists to deliver their pitch live at an exclusive networking event attended by 100+ Halifax employers. Everyone who submits a pitch gets to attend the networking event, and three winners will be awarded cash prizes. In previous years, many participants have landed interviews and some were even hired as a result of connections made at this event!

Motivated by the desire to secure a full-time opportunity in Nova Scotia, and seeing the competition as a way to generate job prospects, Molly submitted a pitch to last year’s competition and couldn’t believe it when she advanced to the final round.

“When I first walked into the #HireMeHalifax finals I was terrified at the thought of getting on stage and talking about myself to a room full of people. But the staff and volunteers at the Halifax Partnership were so kind and supportive! Though it was a formal event, it felt more like a celebration than a competition. We were all there for the same reason – to connect talented youth with employers in our city.”

Looking back on this unique experience, Molly believes that participating in the competition benefitted her in multiple ways.

“The most valuable skill I gained through #HireMeHalifax was confidence! It can be very difficult to step out of your comfort zone and participate in something like this, but it is absolutely worth it. The self-reflection involved in creating the pitch alone is so valuable – it helped me create a clear picture in my mind of the career I wanted. By going through the process of creating a pitch, you will have an answer ready the next time an interviewer asks “Why should we hire you?” And who knows, maybe you will land your dream job!

Having majored in Marketing Management, Molly’s first work term took her to Ottawa where she worked as an Operational Engagement Assistant with the Government of Canada, which was followed by a work term as an Account Coordinator at Halifax advertising agency Chester & Company. Molly completed her final co-op at Thinkwell Shift, a resource conservation company based in Halifax. This experience, combined with the sense of career clarity that was sparked by her #HireMeHalifax pitch, helped solidify her goal of working with the organization after she graduated.

“I learned that I wanted to work for a small business that did meaningful work. I had worked with Thinkwell Shift during my last co-op term and knew they were the perfect fit. They stand for resource conservation and environmental education – I get to come to work every day knowing that I am making a positive difference for Nova Scotians! I crafted the pitch around the work they did, and here I am!”

Her current role as a Program Coordinator for Thinkwell Shift involves facilitating Efficiency Nova Scotia’s Efficient Product Installation Service in Hants, Kings, and Lunenburg Counties of Nova Scotia. It’s a role that Molly describes as, “very much a mixed bag of marketing, HR, logistics, and customer relationship management. No two days are alike!”

Although only having graduated in 2018, she is already in a role that affords her the chance to come full circle from her time as a co-op student by recruiting students from Dal’s BComm program.

“I am very proud to say that Thinkwell Shift was nominated as Best Youth Employer at the Halifax Partnership Game Changers Awards – an annual event that honours Halifax employers who have gone above and beyond to mentor, hire, and support youth. We’re looking to hire a Commerce Co-op student for the upcoming summer term as a Customer Service Coordinator. The posting is up on myCareer now [Editors note: the posting closes on Thursday, Feb. 28 at 11:59 p.m.]. We have a lovely co-op student right now from Dal – she’s been an excellent addition to the team.”

Student Spotlight – Lauren Zvaniga

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Lauren ZvanigaFor this week’s edition of our Student Spotlight, Lauren Zvaniga, a 2nd-year Corporate Residency MBA student from Mississauga, Ontario, shares her experience on the Toronto Connects Tour that took place last month and also offers some advice to current students about networking and meeting with employers.

Lauren’s focus for her CRMBA has been in marketing, with a keen interest in the creative aspect of the profession, due to her undergraduate degree in Theatre. Lauren completed her residency with BMO Financial Group in Toronto as a Marketing Coordinator in their Credit Card Lifecycle division. During her time there, she realized that a career in Marketing was the right fit for her.

In Lauren’s words, “I fell in love with the job – one that challenged my MBA-critical-thinking side and one that tickled my artsy-creative side. The biggest thing I learned about myself at BMO is that marketing is, in fact, my dream career.”

Looking ahead to post-grad employment, she has accepted an offer to return to BMO as a full-time employee, beginning in June. Nonetheless, Lauren still wants to continue learning about other career options, which is where the Toronto Connects Tour came in.

The Toronto Connects Tour is a career development event for 2nd-year CRMBA students that includes a networking luncheon with the MBA program’s Board of Advisors, an alumni discussion panel, and a networking reception with MBA alumni and employers. In addition, the students on the Tour are required to coordinate at least 3 one-on-one informational interviews that align with their career goals and do a reflective practice on their experience afterward.

Lauren decided to book informational interviews that would help her understand what it’s like to work in procurement as well as what it’s like to work at an advertising agency. She met with the Director of Procurement at HelloFresh, the Director of Planning at Jungle Media (“I told her about my dream to work in marketing at IKEA and as it turns out, IKEA has been her client for many years!”), and a former colleague from Loyalty One, a Client Marketing Specialist. These meetings were made possible by tapping into both her personal and professional network.

“For many people, I think the idea of networking seems like an artificial way to meet someone when in reality it is an awesome opportunity to learn. My networking philosophy is that if you approach every meeting and networking event trying to learn, you won’t come across as that desperate, ‘give me a job!!!’ person, because that’s not your goal. Networking is an ongoing, lifelong activity you do to grow your network and your understanding.”

The biggest challenge that she faced in arranging the meetings was trying to get to each one on time since they were so spread out across the city.

Lauren recalls that “this was one of those ‘easier said than done’ lessons I learned the hard way. By the time 5 p.m. rolled around, I was completely exhausted… having spent 8 hours running around the city, drinking coffee at every meeting, actively listening and asking meaningful questions.”

Regardless of her scheduling challenges, Lauren found each meeting to be incredibly valuable and informative about the career paths she was most curious about.

“I love meeting new people and learning about their career paths and aspirations. I learned that many of the things I like about marketing apply to procurement: strategy, relationship management, problem-solving, etc., and that agency work requires long hours but it is an extremely collaborative and creative field to work in. Most importantly, I learned that there are opportunities for me to explore outside of marketing, and I am never stuck in one role.”

When asked to sum up the advice she would give to students who have yet to organize their own informal interviews, Lauren shared the following:

  • Planning out a calendar is important, but also draw it out on a map!
  • Wear a watch – you won’t want to take out your phone to check the time because it can be rude.
  • Think of what you really want to learn from this person before you meet with them – you’ll ask better questions and get better answers.
  • Even if you have a job lined up, take advantage of an opportunity to grow your network!
  • Remember that you’re not “just a student right now”, you are an ambitious, curious, passionate young professional and everyone that agreed to meet with you wants to meet with you.

Regardless of your short and long term career goals, arranging informational interviews can provide key insights to help you achieve them. Don’t wait for the next networking opportunity to present itself – create the opportunity for yourself like Lauren did. Ask your Career and Recruitment Specialist for tips on how to incorporate informational interviews into your job search or career development strategy.

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