Jonathan started his Dalhousie journey in 2000 as a student and has continued it as an employee since 2008. Currently, Jon is a Career and Recruitment Specialist for the Faculty of Management.

Q: Describe how your time in the Commerce program at Dalhousie lead you to where you are today?

A: Many of the clients I work with don’t know this, but I started in the science program at Dalhousie. After my second year, I realized my interests lay elsewhere and applied to the Commerce Co-op program.

Once accepted, I was confident that I would be a great candidate for many jobs. I had always been successful in securing positions in the past and was one of the more involved students at the residence, student union and society level. “This was going to be easy,” I thought. At that time, students had to print their applications and drop them off at the Management Career Services office to be mailed to employers. I remember going to Campus Copy and printing off five copies of my resume and cover letter (both generic) and thinking, “this should do it.” Close to 100 applications later, I was the last student in the class to secure my co-op. It was then that I knew something had to change, and I made an effort to connect more deeply with my advisor. She gave me the support and knowledge I needed to make the necessary changes in my job search approach. By the time my third co-op rolled around, I was one of the first in the program to secure my final co-op, a real credit to the help and guidance I received from my advisor. I kept in touch with my advisor post-graduation. When she decided to pursue other opportunities, she suggested that I apply for her role. The Dalhousie community had given me so much, and I was excited about the prospect of being able to impact students in the same way my advisor had done for me. It’s been nearly 13 years now, and the feeling of pride I get when one of my clients has a big career win is very rewarding.

Q: What was the most important lesson you learned from a professor during your time at Dalhousie?

A: There are so many influential people from my time at Dalhousie that it’s hard to pick a single lesson or person. The most impactful lesson for my career trajectory happened when a biology professor bluntly asked me if I had any interest in the material he was teaching.

He challenged me to think about why I was even in his class. I needed that push to make the tough decision to switch to the Commerce Co-op program. Until then, I believed that not completing my science degree would be seen as a failure. In reality, making that decision led to much success.

Q: What stood out about the community during your time at Dalhousie?

A: When it comes to the Dal community, I did it all. I played intramurals five nights a week and held positions such as Residence House Council Leader, Resident Assistant, Frosh Leader for the Student Union, Year Representative for the Commerce Society and President of the Commerce Society. I met so many amazing people from many different backgrounds that I otherwise never would have had an opportunity to know. What stood out to me was how many different ways there were to get involved. The benefits of a quality University education are apparent. However, my extra-curricular involvement provided me with the most value in the long run. Students are responsible for their development. I encourage my clients to get involved in the Dal community and take advantage of all the learning that can happen outside of the classroom.

Q: What was your favourite class in the commerce program, and why?

A: My favourite class was COMM 3402 – Marketing Communications. The professor at the time was Bob Foster, and he gave students the freedom to think outside of the box and explore ideas. He provided the basic framework and theory, which is a must for any course, but then allowed students creative freedom to interpret and apply those theories. The bulk of the class evaluation came from a series of group presentations throughout the term. His feedback was always constructive and encouraging. Thus, there were noticeable differences between the first set of presentations and the work done later in the course. Once we learned that we could take some risks and try new things, our work got better.

Q: Any advice for students in commerce that are unclear on what major/ career path is best for them?

A: A primary benefit of the Commerce Co-op program is testing different careers throughout your degree. Start by picking what you believe is your ideal path and educate yourself on the available options. Do research, network with alumni, take classes, secure a work term in the field you’ve chosen. Constantly evaluate if you’ve made the right choice and be prepared to make adjustments along the way. You may find that your initial path was not the right one, and that is OK. The positive outcome is that you’ve eliminated something and can refocus your efforts on a career path you’ll enjoy.

Q: What do you think the Commerce program at Dalhousie will look like in 100 years?

A: I have close to 20 years in the Commerce Co-op program, and honestly, I don’t think we will see a significant change in our primary goal. The fundamentals of providing a solid education in business combined with being a leading institution for work-integrated learning and dedicated career services won’t change. How we accomplish those goals will adapt in the same way industry does. We’ve proven over time, particularly in the last year, that we are up to the challenge of being flexible and responding to a world that is constantly changing. That is what makes being an employee at Dalhousie fun.