Career Blog
Coffee chats with professionals are considered a more informal way of networking. However, many students see it as a daunting prospect. Here are a few tips regarding coffee chats that others have shared with me over the course of my university experience:
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Prepare ahead of time
Research the professionals in question and bring a list of questions to ask. Set a specific goal or objective that you want to get out of having this coffee chat. Maybe you are curious about their employer. Or maybe you want find out more about their career path. Make sure to jot down quick bullet points beforehand so you remember to mention everything.
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Arrive a few minutes early
Showing up to a coffee chat a couple minutes before the scheduled time is always a good practice. Arrive 5-10 minutes early and try to find a spot where you can watch the door. Once they arrive, greet them at the counter/line-up to buy coffee.
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Keep track of time
Bring a watch so that you can track the time without looking at your phone. When planning a coffee chat, be clear about the length of time. 5-10 minutes before the end, ask a wrap-up question about what they think you should do next. For example, you can ask them to recommend another person to talk to next. Close the conversation on time (respect their time!) with a firm handshake and a “Thank you for taking the time to talk to me.”
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Follow-up and send a thank-you note
By the end of the day or the following day, send a brief thank you email or LinkedIn message. Indicate how/where you plan to connect with them later. This could be “Looking forward to seeing you at Telfer Connects”, or “I’ll send you the link I mentioned” or “I’ll let you know how it goes with [person they recommended you meet]”.
Be sure to register for the “Let's Talk Coffee Chats” session through Career Launch in March to continue the conversation about coffee chats!
“Your university experience is what you make it! I’m sure you’ve all heard it before. The amazing thing about that saying is that people often say it, and don’t act on it. But when you DO make your university experience your own, amazing things start to take shape.
In my 5 years at Telfer, I have managed to do all there is to do. I took part in multiple case competitions such as Sympo GH, Jeux du Commerce Central and Happening Marketing (HM), and even managed to grab a few trophies. I have also been in VP positions for TCCT and TMA, and I am now the VP Marketing for the Canadian Association of Business Students (CABS). But the true reason behind my success is simple: someone believed in me. An upper‑year student gave me an opportunity and I ran with it. As a first year, it’s never easy to defy the odds and the negative perceptions. Needless to say, I did not let those perceptions weigh me down. That’s why today I am very passionate about helping our first‑year students to get involved and providing them with all the tools they need to succeed at Telfer. No matter what people’s conception of success is, success is not earned alone and it should definitely be shared.
One thing that’s sure: you will encounter failures on your path. The immediate reaction is to panic and give up, but you should embrace failures. After all, FAIL is the acronym for First Attempt In Learning. So don’t be afraid to fail.
Enjoy your journey!”
– Sarai Castrejon, 5th‑year Marketing student
Telfer Coordinator, HM
VP Marketing, CABS
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
Reading week is upon us! For some of you, this will mean a well‑deserved rest after the midterms frenzy. For others, it will surely be an uninterrupted blitz of study. However you intend to spend this week, one thing for sure: you probably have no intention to spend it perfecting your professional image. You’ll surely be at home with your family and friends, or bing-watching your favourite show on Netflix. “Networking during Reading Week? Now way!” But if I told you that there are numerous, simple and interesting ways to network during this highly anticipated break, would take my advice?
Networking is not the only way to make your way in the professional world, and here is the proof. Below are three ways to strengthen your career development.
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Use YouTube for educational purposes
Did you know that we spend on average more than two hours a day on our various digital platforms? Why not use this time to watch informative capsules such as TED talks? There are thousands focusing on different topics, such as networking and the business world. Think about it next time you try to make a good impression at a networking event or during an interview.
Click here to see Isaac Serwanga’s talk on networking.
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Become best friends with Eventbrite
Eventbrite allows its users to see, create and promote local events. Thanks to research parameters, you can find business-related events on days that suit you. You wish to apply the tips you learned in a TED talk? Eventbrite is full of networking events and workshops focused on various skills (communications, leadership, IT, etc.)
Click here to discover what Eventbrite has to offer in Ottawa from February 17 to 24, 2020.
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Take care of your image
For any Telfer student, a LinkedIn profile is of the outmost importance: it is a way to get in touch with professionals and to stay informed. If you don’t have one already, create one immediately! Take advantage of Reading week to create a profile photo. Even better: get your own business cards! It’s an effective way to leave a good impression after a conversation with a professional.
Interested? Start exploring the various models offered by Vistaprint.
In all honesty, your professional image depends on the efforts you invest in them. Naturally, you will be busy during your reading week. Nevertheless, I invite you to take some time to pursue your career development. Good luck!
“During university, it’s common for us, students to have big goals and ambitions. Universities can provide a lot of opportunities to help us succeed. However, this can also make things a little overwhelming. Sometimes, in our attempt to achieve a lot, we lose sight of what we value the most. It’s easy to do things because others are doing it, or because we are told that we should be doing it, or even because we think it might look good on your resume.
All of that is fine, but only as long as we enjoy whatever we’re doing. When we get to the point where we aren’t happy, it’s time for us to stop and reevaluate our decisions. At the end of the day, our mental health is far more important than any class, club position, or job. You know yourself best, so find your own way. Don’t do things for the wrong reason. Only do what you love. Only do what makes you happy!”
– Dasser Kamran,
3rd‑year Marketing student,
VP Marketing, Telfer Marketing Association,
Director of Marketing, CASCO
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
One thing in life is certain: everyone has 24 hours in a day. Increasing our productivity helps us achieve more in less time, thereby making us smarter students and more valuable employees. The methods described below will help you boost your productivity.
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Use the “Two-Minute Rule”
This rule is easy to follow: If it takes less than two minutes, then do it now. It was first introduced by David Allen in his bestselling book, Getting Things Done. Starting a task is often the most difficult part since we tend to procrastinate. Using this technique, you’ll discover that most tasks can be started in less than 2 minutes. Imagine your goal for the year is to read more books. Although you can’t finish an entire book in two minutes, you can read one page. Once you begin reading, you will most likely not want to stop after the first page. You’ll achieve your goal in no time!
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Practice the Pomodoro Technique
This simple time‑management technique breaks your work sessions into intervals called pomodoros. They are as follows: 25 minutes of work intervals with 5-minute breaks in between, take a longer break every 4 work intervals. Essentially, this technique boosts productivity since it allows you to take regular breaks and creates a sense of urgency during each work interval. It has been scientifically proven that taking regular breaks helps boost productivity because our minds cannot focus on a single task for long stretches of time.
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Eat the Frog (instructions unclear: frog stuck in my throat.)
Please DO NOT eat a frog. This method was inspired by Mark Twain’s famous quote: “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” Create a to-do list with the most urgent tasks. The frog represents the most dreaded task on your list. Once you’ll finish that task, you’ll feel accomplished and everything else will seem easy in comparison.
Using the techniques described above, you should notice a difference in your overall productivity. Even using one technique at a time will lead to improvements. Choose one and try it out for yourself to see the difference. Work smarter, not harder!
“Telfer gives me a unique opportunity to further my studies in French and English and to participate in a mobility Co‑op placement. Thanks to the professional connections I have made and to my ability to communicate in both French and English, I had the chance to travel in Canada during my Co-op placement. I recommend that you participate in the career fairs, if only to practice: you’ll be using those communication skills every day in school and at work. Don’t wait for that “once in a lifetime” interview to try networking!”
– Lauren Saly,
3rd‑year accounting student (Co-op)
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
In today’s rapidly changing job market, having a good degree coupled with tangible and transferable skills has become a necessity. But the question to be asked is, which is more important: skills or a degree?
A degree is extremely important and something most of us spend 4-5 years to complete. It acts as a lifelong certification of your professional knowledge and shows employers that you are competent in your field of study. But in today’s world, where technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data analytics are rapidly evolving, the material you learn in university will almost become irrelevant and inapplicable in 5 to 10 years. Companies are starting to realize that a college/university degree does not necessarily prepare students for the reality of a future fueled by technology. Employees need to learn to adapt their skills and knowledge to the changing markets. That’s why acquiring relevant skills is actually more important than a degree. Whether they are hard or soft skills, they are transferable and applicable to any industry, any job, and any situation. Skills such as communication, critical thinking, and problem solving never go out of date and people who have these skills are always sought after. Gaining hands-on and tangible experiences in your field of study will better prepare you for what you will likely see when you enter the workforce.
That being said, university is a great place to acquire these skills! Through getting involved in clubs and organizations within your school, it helps you apply what you learn in the classroom to a more realistic and practical situation. It also helps you meet new people and work in teams, helping you develop your communication, teamwork and leadership skills. All in all, the skills you obtain through university, both inside and outside the classroom, are transferable and can help you excel in your future endeavours.
“Being a 3rd‑year Accounting student, I’m currently doing my first Co-op internship. As you know, the busiest time is upon us, and so I’ve asked myself how I would be able to get through it while keeping in touch with Telfer and honouring my multiple commitments as a member of Casco and the Telfer Student Council, and as a Telfer Career Centre Ambassador.
The one word that came to mind was: SUPPORT. It is often difficult to find people to rely on in stressful times, but I can assure you that in my case, I have found support in my community. When you find yourself in need of support, ask your community and take advantage of the various opportunities available on campus.
When I feel challenged with my classes, I seek the advice of my mentor. A mentoring program is designed to help students find their way academically and professionally. When I’m doubting myself at work, I can count on my colleagues to help me. And when I need to take time for myself, I spend time with my family and the friends I’ve made through my extracurricular activities.
Remember one thing: you are not alone. Life can be stressful and full of obstacles, but do not hesitate to use the various programs and services available to you on campus.”
– Marie Madeleine Kabupu, Director,
Internal Affairs, Telfer Student Council
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
Telfer Networks is coming soon. For many students, it’s the perfect opportunity to make one’s entrance in the business world. For others, it’s a way to meet again with potential employers.
But what is Telfer Networks? Telfer Networks is a networking event where various employers gather to promote their businesses and to fill certain positions. Career Centre staff will also be there to chat with you, critique your resumé quickly and present you Career Centre services.
Whether it’s your first time or not at the event, here are a few tips on how to prepare for it:
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Set Specific Goals
Before you get there, decide what you want to accomplish. Maybe you simply want to present yourself to employers and to become familiar with networking events. Maybe it’s the perfect opportunity for you to fine-tune your job-search skills. All participating students can benefit differently from the event. Telfer Networks can force you to get out of your comfort zone and overcome your timidity, allow you to meet employers and even find a job.
You can check out the list of participating employers on Career Launch in order to identify the ones you are most interested in.
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Review your Resumé
It may seem trite, but updating one’s resumé and reviewing one’s professional experience as well as other commitments can be very useful when preparing to answer the daunting, “Tell me about yourself.” question. Telfer Networks is not a job interview, but an opportunity to stand out among employees. Self-knowledge can prove useful in that regard.
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Recruit a Friend
If you are not sure of how to start a conversation with an employer, or if you feel uneasy at the idea of attending the event alone, bring a friend! Il will be easier and less intimidating to approach strangers. Furthermore, it’s always fun to be accompanied by someone you know, and you will feel less self-conscious, especially if you are a networking-event rookie.
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Attend a Workshop
Finally, the Career Centre has created a workshop especially to help you prepare well for the event. You will receive tips on how to put your best foot forward, expand your network and target your job search. This workshop is the perfect opportunity to ask all your questions regarding Telfer Networks.
Looking forward to seeing you at Telfer Networks on Thursday, January 23, 2020, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., in DMS 4101.
Charlie is a 3rd‑year student at the Telfer School of Management currently studying in Glasgow for the semester. When asked about her experience moving abroad and representing Telfer in Scotland, she replied, “The Telfer International Exchange Program has given me the opportunity to improve my global skills and experience another culture!”
“I am beyond thankful for all of the opportunities I have had since starting at Telfer. Between the Co-op Program, uOglobal, studying abroad, and joining clubs like Enactus, my university experience has been very busy and extremely rewarding. Although I am currently still settling in the university abroad, I have already had many opportunities to learn and expand my network across the ocean. My roommate here in Glasgow is always quick to make sure I am speaking the proper Scottish slang. You wear “trousers” and “tops”, not pants and shirts, you walk on a “pavement”, not a sidewalk, you drink “fizzy drinks”, not pop, and you live in a “flat”, not an apartment.
Despite being away from Ottawa, I am still finding my place and being welcomed by the locals as if I have always been here! I am already missing my Telfer family, but this experience has motivated me to reach out and join the Enactus team of my host university while abroad. The most exciting part of this adventure (apart from the killer travel opportunities) is the fact that the business courses I am taking abroad are not offered at Telfer. I would urge any Telfer student to embark on a similar journey if they have even the slightest interest in having a cross-cultural learning experience!”
– Charlie Gaudet
3rd year student, International Exchange / Enactus Participant