Career Blog
“During my third year of university, the majority of my accounting peers had accepted co-op positions at various firms across the city. As I was not in the co-op stream, I started to feel as though I was at a disadvantage and wanted to do something to differentiate myself. I joined the Telfer Career Centre as a Student Ambassador. By volunteering at numerous Telfer events, I quickly realized how awkward networking can be – how do you approach someone or start a conversation? How do I carry on what feels like small talk while trying to stand out against other students? I signed up for non-accounting networking events and practiced without the pressure of trying to get a job.
At the end of my four years, I started a full-time position at KPMG directly as a result of attending networking events through Telfer. Five years later and still with KPMG, I can tell you that networking is a skill that is developed with practice over time and certainly does not end after school is over.”
- Leah Swanstrom, CPA
Manager, Deal Advisory at KPMG
BCom Accounting (2013)
Former Career Centre Ambassador
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.
From the day that we’re born, we’re raised to go to school, make friends, take part in activities and develop hobbies of our own. We progress through the stages of kindergarten to middle school, high school to post-secondary school, and for some of us, graduate school. Now, the real question is, why do we go through all of this schooling? The answer is simple. For most of us, it’s so that we can get a job. As humans, we have this idea that once we get our degree, we’ll get a job. But it takes some thought to realize that nothing is really set in stone; it’s not guaranteed that by simply getting a degree, we’ll get a job. In fact, there is a key idea that links us to the world of work, and that, is the skills that we develop throughout our life.
Even from the earliest stages, we learn and develop skills that are transferable later on as adults, such as communication, sympathy, empathy, and honesty. As we mature and enter middle school and high school, we are subject to more challenges, namely in school, as we began focusing time on school and assignments, along with clubs, volunteering - you name it. It’s at this stage that we start learning about our self-identity, developing emotional intelligence, and beginning to realize which subjects we excel at, and which ones aren’t our strong suit. It’s also a time when we develop teamwork and independent work skills.
Post-secondary school is where we truly began to see the usefulness of all these skills. Being a business student, I’ve been to several workshops hosted by the Telfer Career Centre and various employers, and I’ve seen how greatly the idea of skills development is stressed; it’s the part that we should emphasize on our CVs, our LinkedIn, and even during job interviews. During job interviews, whether they be for CO-OP or even a job we found through networking or on our own, we need to understand that there are many people in the same position as us. In other words, you could be one of the thousand fishes in the pond. This is because, all the fishes, including yourself, are likely either completing their degrees, or already have a degree. So I guess degrees can no longer be used as a differentiating factor (but don’t get me wrong, it’s still extremely useful to have a degree). What we can use, however, are our skills, and these will make us that big fish in the pond. Employers want to see that we can use these skills to excel in our jobs, and be an ideal employee.
That being said, although many of our skills are developed through our education, many of them are developed from outside school. For those of us who work part-time, we can develop a variety of skills, some of them being customer service, tolerance, attention to detail, and analytical skills, and all of these are applicable to our work lives. Even by going home to our families, our roommates, we can develop and enhance our adaptability, social, and time management skills.
At the end of the day, these skills, the ones we’ve developed throughout our lives, from personal matters to school, are what shape us into who we are, and help us excel in our careers. And remember, although “degrees” and “jobs” can be used in the same sentence, the linking word, is always the “skills”.
“During first year, I found everything super easy, I was doing well in school and was able to easily make friends. So starting off it was a great experience. When second year came along I struggled with school, classes were getting hard and that’s when I started working two jobs and got into clubs. However, since I didn’t have time management skills yet, it led to me not being as happy as I could have been.
Everything I built up in second year brought me down but it also taught me a lot about myself during the process of getting back up. I ended up finding my prime time and when I was most productive. I started waking up earlier and scheduling classes when I was most focused. I learned that writing everything down was better for me, and allocating a good amount of time for my personal life away from school and work. As hard as it was, I am grateful for this experience and what it taught me!”
- Daniya
3rd-Year Human Resource Management Student
Career Centre Ambassador
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.
Interviews can be overwhelming and it is often difficult to prepare for them, but if there is one thing that is certain, it is that you will most likely be asked to answer the famous ‘Tell me about yourself’ question. It sounds like the simplest of questions, but it is also the most dreaded. It is usually the first question asked by employers to get to know you better and get a snapshot of your skills. Here are three parts your answer should include to make a good impression from the start of the interview.
1) Who are you?
This answer should be separated into two parts. Firstly, discuss your educational and professional background. Discuss why you chose your field of study and why you are interested in working in it. Mention key aspects of this field that you appreciate. Secondly, try to showcase a snapshot of your personality by adding a sentence or two about a hobby you have, a sport you play or extracurricular activities you partake in.
2) What skills / experiences do you have?
To answer this question, it is important to note that the employer has your resume. Be concise and confident in your answer but do not go into a monologue on your background. Choose 2 or 3 skills or past experiences you think can be beneficial for the position and expand on them. Make sure to show some enthusiasm and show your personality, that’s what the employer wants to see.
3) Why are you the best candidate for the position?
This is the time you connect your skills and your background to the position you are applying to. Explain why you want the position and why you are a good fit for the company. This is a good time to show that you have made some research on the company by connecting ‘’your journey’’ to the company.
Think about the ‘Tell me about yourself’ question as an elevator pitch, where the product you’re selling is yourself. Your answer should not be longer than 1-2 minutes. Now that you know that this question is coming and that you know how to best answer it; practice your answer again and again!
When a mentor first told me to “create your own opportunities”, I took it lightly, thinking that all opportunities open to me would be found through friends, colleagues, family or online. My mind could not wrap around the concept of those four words - I had always used and followed processes in order to give back to volunteer organizations, to meet new people, and to apply for internships. So far in 2018, I’ve had the chance to create a few exciting opportunities for myself, from getting a position at a high-tech software company, to developing and scaling Telfer’s very own Women in Management Network (WMN).
What I’ve learned is it’s not what you say, but how you say it. Being able to communicate your value in a way that promotes your skillset and highlights different achievements is one of the most important parts of the “create your own opportunities” formula. For example, my decision to switch into Human Resource Management in my final year allows me to gain competencies related to human capital, and is a benefit to my financial and accounting background which I studied over the last four years. With this knowledge in hand, I will now be a well-rounded businesswoman once I finish school and fully enter the workforce. Related to this concept is the concept of self-awareness: knowing yourself; your skills, interests and passions; and what value you can bring to those around you. If you’re aware of what you enjoy doing and you align it with your personal and professional values, you will be able to better select the opportunities that are a fit for you.
Another important part of the formula is your willingness to step out of your comfort zone. This is where change happens! Engage with the right people and situations – once the industry you’d like to enter is defined, take action and seek out networking events that bring together professionals currently working in the industry. Did you know that only 20 % of jobs are posted online? The other 80% is filled by word-of-mouth recommendations and people actively creating/seeking out these opportunities. By attending networking events, meeting like-minded people, and communicating your value (even as a student) you’re putting yourself out there and making it easy for people to find someone with your skillset and fresh perspective. Instead of seeking someone like you out, you’ve now appeared right in front of them!
The final point I wish to mention is staying open. Many of us have already created the ideal job or volunteer opportunity in our minds. However, rarely will our plans work out exactly the way we would like them to. Instead of focusing on exactly what you want, be open to the different ways this plan can unfold. By having a loose grip on this plan (knowing the what, but being open to the how, for example), you may spot opportunities that you didn’t recognize earlier.
Creating your own opportunities may seem daunting, but after you’ve done it once, it becomes much easier to do it again. Know yourself, communicate your value, engage with the right people, and stay open. By following these tips and keeping a positive and grateful mindset throughout your journey, you will start to be more aware of all the good things flowing your way!
“Being the president of CASCO has enhanced my Telfer experience by allowing me opportunity to lead a team that works towards the goals of our club as business students, but that also works towards the greater good of the Ottawa community.
It has allowed me to apply the material I have learned in most of the classes I have taken at Telfer, from human resources to managerial accounting and strategic management. To be able to lead a group of over 100 students in total, I have learned more about myself, how I work, and the areas I can improve on in this one year than I have during all of my other years of University combined.
Whether it is being involved in CASCO, other student associations, a sports team or whatever may interest you, do not limit your University experience to the classroom, as there are so many more places for your learning and development to occur.”
Eh Oh CASCO! ♥
- Chelsea
President, 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.
One activity that many people find nerve-wracking, I find fulfilling – it’s networking.
As an extrovert, I enjoy sharing stories and experiences with new acquaintances, I’m energized by socializing, and I quickly come off as open, friendly and approachable. Sure, these qualities make networking easier for me as I naturally gravitate towards crowds and I find making conversation easy. However, there are other aspects to networking that are equally as important.
Here are my tips on how to make networking enjoyable, instead of a hassle:
Adjust.
Adjust your mindset and alter your beliefs on what networking is supposed to be. Many people view these events as high-pressure environments when in reality, networking is just meeting people. It’s about building relationships and developing yourself as a professional. Instead of going into the event wanting to secure a new job, you should take the opportunity to ask recruiters or people in the industry more questions about the role, field, responsibilities, etc. Find out if it’s really a fit for you. Not only does this show your interest and help you develop rapport with the right type of people - they will also remember you, which makes getting the job that much easier down the line. Personally, I enjoy attending events to discover more about potential career paths, to meet new people who may give me advice or help me at some point in my career, and to learn about new opportunities in my community.
Prepare.
Do your research about the attendees. Use LinkedIn to see who’s talking about what event. This can help you target the right people and make the most of your time at the networking event. Create relevant questions during your preparation phase if you’re worried about blanking out while speaking to a charismatic recruiter, or the CEO of a large company! Preparing in advance is equally as important as being physically present at the event.
Execute.
At the networking event, ask the right questions. Some of my favourite standard questions (in no particular order) include: What motivates you? What’s your favourite part of your job and why? How did you get into your current role? How long have you been with your organization? Are you a member of any professional associations? What’s the most important skill you believe is needed for a career in your field? What advice would you have valued when you were in the early stages of your career? If you took the time to prepare, you should have an idea of the type of people who will be at the event and should feel more comfortable when it comes to executing. In addition, ask for their business card before gracefully exiting the conversation, and make sure to thank them for their time and their insights. Once you leave, take one minute to jot down the main insights you retained from your discussion with the professional.
Follow Up.
Don’t forget to do this within 24 hours of meeting someone. It’s as simple as sending an email (which should be on their business card) thanking them once again for their time, briefly summarizing the main insights which you noted, and including anything you promised to share, like more information on the club which you’re part of at school.
The reality is, networking is an essential skill that all business students should be comfortable with. Not only will it help you build out your future opportunities, but it helps you become more comfortable with speaking about yourself, your skills, and your career goals - which can be particularly good practice for future job interviews!
Two great workshops that I recommend for facilitating the networking process are Let’s Talk Networking and Intro to LinkedIn, held by Telfer’s Career Centre.
Hopefully these tips will help you navigate the (not-so) tricky world of networking and relieve some pressure before you attend that next networking event.
When I hear the word “Telfer” what comes to mind is getting involved in the School community. Well, guess what! That’s not the first thing I did in my first year.
I knew I needed to do something during the school year, but I didn’t know what. Even before my first day at university, my goal was to be on the Dean’s honour list. Achieving good test scores was going to help me get on that list, but it wasn’t going to help me develop my professional skills. To that end, I joined an intramural volleyball team, but it wasn’t enough. So, towards the end of my first year, I started applying for positions within various clubs at Telfer.
My applications were still not successful, but that didn’t stop me from continuing to apply. Keeping my goal in mind (to get involved), I was eventually selected for the positions of 101 Week Guide and Ambassador at the Telfer Career Centre. What a feat! Being part of 101 Week was quite an adventure for me. I had the opportunity to meet senior students who told me all about their experiences in the co-op program, their participation in case competitions, stress management and more...
I have always been a very open-minded person and I am interested in other people’s stories. I can guarantee you that if you meet me at a networking event now, I will ask you, “What experiences have you had? What did they bring you?”
Getting involved in the Telfer community should not be seen as a chore. I know it’s stressful, but you should see it as a way to broaden your horizons and to expand your network, because the first people you will work with in the future will be your classmates. So why not hang out with them in a relaxed environment? Working as a 101 Week Guide allowed me not only to meet people with whom I became friends and to have a lot of fun, but also to develop professional skills that will be helpful to me for the rest of my life. But the most important thing for me during that crazy week was the fact that I had the chance to talk about MY experience to the first-year students I met. I was no longer the audience; I had become the narrator. Being a 101 Week Guide was an incredible experience, but I look forward to the surprises that my position as a Career Centre Ambassador will no doubt bring.
On that note, if you see me in the hallway, don’t hesitate to say hello. I would be happy to tell you about my student experience.
“Telfer was a real revelation for me when I attended the Open House event. I was pleasantly surprised by the close relationships between professors and students. For someone from a small CEGEP, this was very important to me. Then, what really reinforced my decision was the fact that the University is bilingual.
So far, my experience at Telfer has been really rewarding. To be at Telfer is to experience a global perspective. In our faculty, we have the opportunity to be exposed to a world of cultures, which is a great advantage in today’s world. In addition, Telfer’s networking events, as well as Career Centre workshops and conferences allowed me to develop a professional attitude and to be in touch with the working world.
After Telfer, the most important thing for me would be to work as an accountant and, why not, to even start a company that offers services in that field.”
- Karl Franck
Third-year accounting student
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.
I think we can all relate as students, whether we are first-year or graduating students, to the struggles that we face from time to time in choosing the right career pathway. So here I am today, sharing with you some tips to help you avoid as much of those bumpy roads.
1. Choose a career that you enjoy
You really want to make sure that this career pathway will be enjoyable to you in the long run. In other words, ask yourself if you can see yourself enjoying working in a certain field over the course of 10 or 20 years from now. If the answer is yes, then it's likely that you've made the right decision. If not, then you still have time to fix it!
2. Get hands-on experience
Ideally, you need some real life exposure in your field of interest to get a better understanding of how well your skills fit with your desired work field. Usually, you get this valuable exposure through Co-op or an internship because at the end of the day you may get a better understanding of your strengths and weaknesses and where you fit in better in the workforce.
3. Network!
Even if you aren’t able to get hands-on experience during your undergrad, it’s ok! What I would recommend to you is to take as many opportunities as you can to attend networking events and workshops facilitated by the Career Centre. Because other than the practical experience there’s no better way to get a fuller picture of the work environment and the job outlook for open positions by getting to know and communicating in person with professionals themselves.
Next term in January is Telfer Networks, the biggest networking event of the year for all students. I hope to see you there!