Career Blog

Humans of Telfer – Ryan

“Getting involved will lead to experiences you never thought you were capable of”

“As a 2nd-year student, I am forever grateful to have gotten the opportunity to join the CASCO Charity Organization right from my very first year at Telfer. It has greatly enhanced my university career in so many ways by allowing me to make lifelong friendships and achieve things I didn’t think I was capable of. With the help of motivated student leaders, I’ve gained valuable experience such as exploring my creativity and growing personally. These opportunities have allowed me to strengthen my knowledge of business and marketing through practical experience, something that I couldn’t have done in a classroom.

Working towards our annual charity gala is an incredibly rewarding and humbling feeling because you get to witness a whole year’s worth of effort go into two amazing shows. This year at CASCO’s 20th annual gala, we raised an inspiring $62,000 towards mental health at CHEO!

Getting involved in this organization has provided me with so many opportunities to grow and make an impact on the community alongside an exceptional team of passionate students.” #EhOhCASCO

– Ryan Tu
2nd-year student (Marketing)
and Marketing Director and Dancer, CASCO Charity Organization

 

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. 

Three smart tips to reconcile work and school

Finding the right balance between work and school is a common and major challenge for students. Let me share with you my three tips to achieve it.

1. Learn to manage your time well.

This skill is absolutely crucial, as it gives you more time to devote to your hobbies. A smart piece of advice: get started on your assignments a soon as possible; don’t wait until the last minute. By planning for a specific amount of time for each activity (your studies, job, sleep, hobbies, etc.), you will be able to quantify the exact number of hours that you’re effectively dedicating to each. Naturally, effective time management requires a lot of discipline.

2. Stop before you reach exhaustion.

Exhaustion causes a lot of stress and affects a vast proportion of students. Why? Because we want to get the best grades, take as many courses as possible in one semester, work to make ends meet, maintain a rich social life, etc., all at the same time. By combining all these pursuits, students inevitably become exhausted. To avoid such a situation, I advise you to revisit your priorities and to make choices. You’ll then be able to eliminate the excess from your schedule and to focus on what really matters. In the end, the most important is to keep time for yourself and to know how to kick back and relax… often!

3. Remain focused on your objectives.

To stay motivated in the pursuit of your objectives, it is crucial that you keep your goals in sight. Taking stock of your objectives will allow you to spend more time and energy on things that bring you value. A good incentive to stay motivated throughout your studies is to work to cover your tuition fees, as far as this is possible, because you’ll then take your studies very seriously.

Humans of Telfer – Mira

How has your role as Coordinator for Jeux du Commerce impacted your experience at Telfer and you’re your personal life?

“Being a JDC Coordinator is more than I could have ever imagined. It’s a big role with so many responsibilities, that you gain experience in widely‑different aspects.

For example, you are responsible of 80+ students. You have to get everybody into teams, signed up, ready for the competition, etc. You are also acting as a liaison with the organizing committee, hosting delegation meetings, keeping your group informed, organizing various charity events and giving back to the community through various projects.

Because of the nature of this role, on top of getting A LOT of experience, I was also able to grow my network by meeting with JDC coordinators from other universities as well as with the organizing committee. So you get to know students from across Eastern Canada (Quebec, New Brunswick, etc.)

It can seem like a really big role at times, because so many students depend on you. You have to do your job at the best of your abilities so that in January, all competitors will be able to perform to the best of theirs and to score as high as they can in hopes of winning the Business School of the Year title.

Not only do I get to prep a delegation for the games and for that specific competition, buy I also have the privilege to work on several projects outside of that context, such as charity events for the Ronald McDonald House and a week‑long food drive with the Ottawa Food Bank. I was very proud to help with the organization of these events.

Having participated in JDC since my first year at Telfer, being now able to pass on my knowledge to new students who are experiencing the competition for the first time is an honour.”

 

– Mira Azzi
5th-year BCom Program (Juris Doctor),
and Jeux du Commerce Coordinator (Telfer Competition Committee)

 

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. 

How working with kids helped me in the business world

I started working with children during my last year of high school as a way to make some extra pocket money, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I held a variety of positions over the last three years, including in an after-school program, teaching dance and drama classes, as well as working at summer camps in July and August.

I’ve always been pretty hesitant to put “dance teacher” on my resume, because, well, what does it have to do with getting a job in business? But I realized that it is indeed by working with kids during the last few years that I’ve gained a variety of transferable skills that are actually crucial on the job market. Here are three of the many valuable skills that you may have learned while working with children, and why you should highlight them on your resumé.

1. Leadership

When working with a large group of kids in a camp or a dance class, you must be an excellent role model and supervise them through the day, whether from the lunchroom to the gym or in a complete dance routine. While you are definitely leading kids, you may also be leading staff members, especially the new employees that arrive every year, to whom you are showing the ropes of childcare.

2. Adaptability

Much like the business world, children can be unpredictable. You may have a minute-by-minute plan of all your activities, but you will learn very quickly that most kids don’t follow schedules very well (especially on an extremely hot day in July!) You have to adapt pretty quickly so that they don’t get bored and out of hand. You consistently need to change your game plan according to evolving circumstances.

3. Organization skills

Now the kids may not follow your schedule and set plans, but walking into a day with a plan A and a plan B in hand is very important, whether at a summer camp, in a dance class… or at the office! If you aren’t organized and don’t have a backup plan, the kids will take full advantage of it, and it will be complete chaos (I know this from experience, and it’s not fun!)

Although I’ve mainly honed these three skills while working in childcare, they have helped me professionally in many regards: when I had to lead a team through a project, to adapt my schedule, or to organize a meeting. The bottom line is: don’t discount any of your work experience just because it’s not a typical 9‑to‑5 office job. I guarantee you: all your non business-related jobs have taught you some very important skills that employers are looking for in their ideal candidates.

 

To receive further guidance on how to make the most of all your experience and how to showcase it best in your future work applications, book an appointment for a resumé critique through Career Launch.

Humans of Telfer – Yassine

“Once we’ve started our program, it becomes difficult to know if we’ve made the right choice. Theory and practice are often very different things!

This is why my advice to you would be to try to gain some experience in your field of study as soon as possible to become familiar with it. The employers you will meet in the future will sense that experience! Also, don’t be afraid to participate in the networking events hosted at Telfer. It’s a fantastic – and free – resource made available to us, and it is up to us to take full advantage of it!”

– Yassine Tahiri
4th-year Finance student, Telfer School of Management

 

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. 

Stay Motivated with Your Own Career Vision Board

When is the last time you thought of your dream career? Dream salary? Dream lifestyle? With our busy lives as students, once a new school year starts we don’t often think about our big-picture career goals. A vision board can change that.

What is a vision board?

A vision board, as the name implies, is a collage of images, pictures and affirmations of one’s vision, dreams and desires, designed to serve as a source of inspiration and motivation. Not only can it be used to visualize general life goals, it can also be specific to your career goals. The idea is to create a visual of all the images that remind you of your dream career and that will motivate you to achieve your goals. This vision board will help you bring your dreams to life by using the power of visualization.

Here are the steps to follow to make your very own career vision board:

  1. Ask yourself the important questions

    1. Before collecting pictures and putting together your collage, you need to establish your career goals. If those are not clear to you, ask yourself the following questions: “What goals would I like to achieve during my career?”; “Where do I see myself in 3, 5 or 10 years?”; “What values are important to me in an organization?” It could take you a couple of days to find the answers, but it should help you determine what your perfect career would look like.

  2. Collect images

    1. Collect pictures that remind you of your goal: the logo of a company, the title of the position you would like to have, images of an ideal office space, pictures of cities you would like to visit with work, etc. The options are really unlimited. You can even add quotes or beautiful pictures that speak to you and motivate you. What you want is a visual that motivates you each time you look at it.

  3. Create the vision

    1. You can choose to create a physical or virtual vision board. Typically, vision boards look very similar to a collage, but the goal is for you to see it every day. So if you spend a lot of time on your computer and less time in your room, you can choose to make virtual career vision board and make it your desktop background. You can always change it or add to it.

Once you have completed your vision board, use it to motivate you to reach your career goals and make career decisions.

Humans of Telfer – Aman

“My most memorable moment was when I joined JDC at the beginning of my first year. At the beginning, I was a little nervous – very nervous, actually – because I did not know much about case competitions, and the idea of presenting to real companies was very intimidating. However, I jumped at the opportunity, and it turned out to be a great experience. The best thing about it was meeting new people and learning new things from them. I got to see the different types of problems that companies face in the real world. Overall, I enjoyed the experience so much that I am participating again this year.

What keeps me motivated is my family and its constant support. The people around me, especially my friends, also fuel my motivation. I like to think that we are all in the same boat, so if I am stressed out, they are stressed out as well. I guess it is comforting to know that we are all in this together so we all encourage, support each other and, of course, go out for bubble tea whenever we can! I find that having a busy and stimulating schedule keeps me going, as I am contributing to something bigger, whether it be my personal growth, JDCC or academics.

Joining JDC and TCCT definitely made my university experience better. It changed my perspective on a lot of things, and I gained a lot of skills like communication. When you are in a club, your team is responsible for all decisions, so you learn the necessary skills that will allow your club to perform successfully – it’s a little similar to running a business. You also get to meet and grow your network which is something that is very beneficial in the long-term.

My advice to 1st-year students is probably something that they hear all the time, which is to get involved and use all the resources available at Telfer. Attend networking events and do not be intimidated by networking events because as a first-year student no one expects you to be perfect at networking so use this time to practice.”

– Aman Sidhu
2nd‑year Accounting student, VP Internal Affairs, TCCT

 

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.

Get Started on Your Professional Development Plan Now!

Spring break is over, and you’ve spent most of it studying for your upcoming exams. You’re sleep deprived and have only one thing in mind: assignments and midterms. You’ll rebuild your energy (and sleep reserves) once it’s all over. University life, am I right?

While you’re recovering from this stressful period, why not take a moment to reflect on your future? Whether you are just starting your studies or approaching graduation, you’re probably asking yourself what you want out of this. And the most obvious answer is always this one: A JOB. Yes, you should want to start your career, but what is exactly that you want?

Maybe what you need to do is to build a plan with concrete steps. Have you ever thought of writing a Personal Development Plan (PDP)? It adds structure and focus to your learning, and can help you define your goals and make the most out of all opportunities. Whether you’re just starting out or reassessing your development, a PDP is a great way to outline your progress.

Now, formulating this plan requires a lot of self-awareness and it should be an iterative process, because any decision you take will affect it. Here are the three steps to follow to create a stellar, high impact PDP.

  1. Define your current situation

Think not only of your current capabilities, but about everything you have done so far to further your development. Have you completed any workshop with the Career Centre, or any special course? These should appear on your PDP along with your initial objectives. Ask yourself if you are where you thought you’d be at this stage of your life. You should also evaluate your current skills and abilities. Are you tech‑savvy, a natural leader or a presentation wizard? Write down your current strengths and weaknesses.

  1. Determine where you want to go

Now is the time to write down your short- and long-term goals following a SMART approach: they should be S (specific), M (measurable), A (achievable), R (realistic), and T (timely). This step will help you track your progress and redefine your plan accordingly. You should also gather data on the various options open to you; identify the skills you need to reach your goals; and find how to assess those skills. Remember that the Career Centre can help you with a wide variety of activities.

  1. Execute your PDP and revisit it periodically

Now that you know where you want to go, it’s time get cracking. Keep the responsibilities of your current position: looking to the future shouldn’t mean neglecting the present. Keep working hard now to achieve your future aspirations. You should also keep a record of the progress you’ve made, and revise or adjust your goals occasionally. Working closely with a Career Centre advisor is a great way to hit those goals in your plan.

With a well-developed PDP in hand, you can now start working toward your long-term career goals. Regardless of where you find yourself in your professional life, formulating this plan can be a productive exercise. You can take control of your future by establishing clear goals and breaking them into smaller, manageable steps. Remember: fail to plan, and you plan to fail!

Humans of Telfer – Patrick

“What do you want to achieve in school? This question is not merely about your academic achievements, but also about your impact at school and on others. The connections we make while at Telfer can often be crucial to developing our career.

I never asked myself this question during my first year, and it showed. Many students come here with no idea of what they want to achieve after graduation. This is completely okay! To be honest, I still don’t know. The best advice I could give any first‑year student is to be open to change, new ideas, new disciplines, and new experiences. Try as many different things as you can while in school and explore your interests. We are always learning and will be throughout our careers.

I would also advise students to get involved, because it allows you to make connections and get noticed. It is much easier to be passive and stick to your group of friends, but good results don’t come easy. I am currently serving as Vice President of External Affairs for Telfer International, and as Business Lead for UOE Racing. It took me three years to figure out that clubs are worth joining, and I wish I learned that earlier.

Overall, I would tell first‑year students to make the most out of their time. Work hard, party hard, have fun, and get involved. Be open to change for the better as a person and to meet people who challenge your opinions. University is not just about getting good grades: it’s about making mistakes and developing personally. Give it the old college try and get out there!”

– Patrick Munro
3rd‑year MISA student
VP External Affairs, Telfer International

 

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.

What Do You Want the Society to Think of You?

Most of the time, we as students – and professionals – have to deal with a lot of pressure. Having to go to work, making sure we get good grades, trying to spend some time with our friends and family. All of that can become overwhelming, especially while we are trying to figure out what we actually want to do in life. However, I believe it is actually good to not know where we will be in five years, or exactly what our professional journey will be like. In my case for example, I’m a third‑year accounting student, but four years ago, I saw myself enrolling in the nursing program, simply because I thought it fitted my personality better. And guess what, I picked accounting, and I love it.

For some of us studying business, being in third year means going through interviews and a lot of networking events. Well, by going over my interviews, I realize that the interviewers were not necessarily expecting to have someone’s personality matching the job. And guess what: your personality doesn’t have to match the job’s idealistic criteria. I got the opportunity to learn that by talking to people who had done a personality test like the ones they asked you to do while you’re in high school and even in elementary school.

When we look at jobs, we typically focus on things such as the job description, and we forget about few other things such as the social aspect of a job. This year, I had the chance take part in one of the Telfer Mentorship Programs. While talking to my mentor, I heard stories about his job as a CPA. He told me that he will always remember what his manager told him few years ago: « You are what I’m not, and what I don’t want to be, but the clients like you, and you’re bringing me money. » Quite shocking, right? But that one sentence made me realize that anyone can apply to any job, even if they do not have the « right » personality. They can still do amazing things.

Not knowing how to do something or what you will be doing in five to ten years can be stressful. Trust me: I’ve been there just like many of you. But we should all try to focus on this: what do we like, and how can we apply that in the future?

Want to learn more about yourself? Ask your friends, your family members, and your professors! You can also book a career-testing appointment through Career Launch.