Career Blog
"The scariest moment for me at Telfer was in my second year when I realized all my plans had to change. I went to a Career Centre workshop and started talking to the relationship managers, Kimberley and Caroline. They told me I needed to network more than I initially thought (since I was no longer in co-op) and get to know myself better. This pushed me to get my Career Development Certificate and really get involved.
Now I feel much better, and I know where I am heading. This year I wanted to focus on academics and case competitions since I really enjoy the experience you gain from them. Getting involved with the Career Centre has also been a fantastic experience.
On a personal note, I think that the best drink at Starbucks is a creation my friend suggested. You take an iced peach green tea lemonade and substitute the lemonade for apple juice then add an extra shot of peach. I drink it so fast, I usually need a Venti to last me."
- Simone A.
Co-Head Ambassador, JDC
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.
This past reading week, 20 lucky Telfer students were selected to head to Canada’s marketing capital of Toronto for two days filled with exciting tours, information sessions, and networking opportunities. The trip presented a chance for students to be exposed to how the top marketers of a variety of organizations approach both their everyday duties and their careers – including those from the world’s most popular search engine, to those from a charity that makes “doing good, doable”.
On October 26, 2017, Google Canada opened its doors to Telfer for an intriguing look into their collaborative-based office. Students were invited for a tour of the many floors of the environmentally friendly, LEED-certified facility – including a chance to see their state-of-the-art technology stations, famous “micro-kitchens”, and an informative and insightful career chat with Google Performance Ads Marketing Specialist (and Telfer BCom graduate), Claûde Beaupré.
Canadian communications and media giant Rogers was up next, and the Telfer students were treated to an educational presentation of the company’s values and mission, a speed networking session with a variety of Rogers marketing professionals, and a tour of the much-loved facilities of Sportsnet. The presentation and tour was conducted by the enthusiastic Patrice Smith and My-Binh Trung, and was supported by Victoria Falle, a recent Telfer graduate who was just recruited by Rogers’ new grad rotational program.
The last company of the day was 500px, an upcoming and innovative photography startup where Director of Marketing Rommil Santiago gave students insight into the hustle of startup life and how smaller companies approach marketing with a minimalistic perspective. Rommil was joined by content marketer Annie Halim-Paulionis for a laid-back career chat and a tour of their facilities, which concluded the first day of the trip.
An early start on the morning of October 27th found the Telfer group at P&G Canada headquarters in North York, Toronto, for a presentation and career advice session held by Telfer graduates Christina Bellevue and Brad Marshman regarding the multinational corporation’s many diverse opportunities in their marketing and sales functions.
For the last outing of the trip, Toronto’s coolest charity organization WE opened their doors for an in-depth presentation by Telfer graduate Meghan Kelly and WE’s Director of Brand Muqu Pacheco, which introduced their mission and values, their approach to the WE brand, and the process they underwent in launching their newest product, ME to WE Chocolate. The students were then given a tour of their new facility, called the WE Global Learning Centre.
Upon reflection, the trip was a great opportunity to network, learn about various organizations and be exposed to many different approaches to marketing. The valuable experience of meeting a variety of marketing professionals, which was supplemented by touring their workplaces to better understand their working environment, was both eye opening and inspiring.
--
The Telfer Marketing trip, organized by the Career Centre, takes place annually during the end of Fall Reading week for two nights, and is an opportunity available for 3rd and 4th year students completing their specialization in Marketing (all Telfer students are welcome to apply). For more information, visit the Special Activity section of the Career Centre website.
Photo credit: Lu Yang
Stress affects everyone in some way or another. Sometimes it feels like there isn’t enough time in the day to get everything done. Here are some tips to help navigate through those tough times.
1. Prioritize your list of tasks
Being university students, we have all had moments where it seems like assignments and midterms are piling up and it can become extremely discouraging. One way to help everything seem less overwhelming is to write down a to-do list, and prioritize the things you need to do in order of importance. This can help you schedule your time in an optimal way. It can also help motivate you to keep going as you finish tasks and check items off the list.
2. Make time to do things that make you happy
No matter how busy life can get, it is very important to take breaks and schedule yourself the time to do things you genuinely enjoy doing- you deserve it after all! Whether this is yoga, playing video games, hanging out with friends or watching Netflix, taking breaks can improve your mood by helping take your mind off the things that are stressing you out, and help clear your head for your next round of studying.
3. Take care of yourself
Last but not least, take care of yourself! I recommend to eat healthy, remain active and always get a good night’s sleep.
By following these three simple rules, your body and mind will be fueled and ready to take on any challenges that are thrown your way.
I hope these quick tips will help you next time you are overwhelmed and remember- you’ve got this!
How do you gain work experience that is relevant to your program of study? Applying for the CO-OP Program is a very common answer that I’ve heard from many people. However, if you were not admitted to the CO-OP Program for some reason, or you are still on the waiting list, do not worry! There are many routes that can lead to success. Besides the CO-OP Program, there are other programs and internship opportunities that allow you to gain relevant work experience during your studies.
Connexions Program
This program is open to students who have completed the common core courses in the first two years of their program. In previous years, students had the opportunity to work at organizations such as Export Development Canada (EDC), Investors Group, Welch Group Consulting, Canada Post Corporation, and many more. These internships offered by the participating organizations are unpaid.
Each work term is one semester-long (12 weeks). Students are required to work a minimum of seven hours per week. By completing the Connexions Program, students will receive 3 ADM units for one of the fourth-year ADM elective courses (ADM 4904). Students are allowed to complete the program a second time with a different organization as another ADM elective course (ADM 4905).
Work-study Program
The Work-study Program is open to all students who are taking at least three courses a semester. This program provides the opportunity for all students to work on-campus part time during the school year and full time during the summer. There is a variety of positions available across different faculties and services at the University of Ottawa such as customer service officer, assistant project officer, and junior information officer.
Telfer BCom Internship Program
This program is open to second- and third-year students who have completed the common core courses in the first two years of their program. Students will have the opportunity to gain work experience at different organizations such as the Department of National Defence (DND), Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). These organizations offer paid internship opportunities.
The work terms are 8-month long and, depending on the employer, may be split over two summers. By successfully completing the Telfer BCom Internship Program, students will receive 3 ADM units for one of the fourth-year ADM elective courses (ADM 4903).
Job postings
If you still could not find a position that matches your interest, check out the job postings on the Career Centre website! There are current positions available for all business students posted all year long. But be sure you keep an eye on the application deadlines.
"Over the past four years, I've made numerous friends here at Telfer. It's not just meeting other students in classrooms or surviving final exams; it’s getting involved with the 13 clubs the faculty has to offer. With encouragement from other people, you find your stride and discover who you are as a person. I've been a part of 6 organizations within Telfer over the past 4 years. Some of my roles have been long-term, with CASCO and Enactus, and some short-term, like the Entrepreneurship Club. I'm doing various tasks and experiencing volunteer work that has allowed me to get out of my comfort zone, and helped me discover who I am. The most significant and valuable takeaway from my time at Telfer has been the ability to diversify my skill set, thanks to the Telfer Career Centre. I wouldn't have the experiences I have today if it wasn't for the Telfer network and the ability to put myself out there. Knowing that the students will support and accept me for who I am, has been priceless."
- Adnan S.
4th year 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.
Do you have a LinkedIn account? Have you heard of LinkedIn before? LinkedIn is a widely used social media platform, where students can connect with employers and network online. Although many people believe LinkedIn is basically an online version of your resume, it is much more than that! LinkedIn is where you take your resume to the next level and elaborate your skills and experience, allowing for employers to learn more about you and how you could contribute to their company.
If you are just creating an account or if you are more advanced but want to further enhance your online profile, I have provided some tips and advice for your profile!
1) Professional Profile Picture
LinkedIn profiles with professional headshots get 14 times more profile views.
When selecting a LinkedIn profile picture, it is important to keep in mind employers will be looking and having access to your profile; therefore, keeping it professional is essential. Dressing professionally is a must and I would suggest you wear clothes that you would wear to a job interview or a networking event. Your headshot should also have a neutral background (i.e. solid colour), so it is not too distracting to the eyes and you keep it simple. Another important aspect to consider when taking the picture is to take a photo starting from the top of your shoulders, where your face takes up at least 60% of the frame. It might be obvious to select a current photo of yourself, but the picture should resemble what you look like right now and what recruiters would see if they were to meet you in person.
During the Telfer Connects and Telfer Networks, two annual networking events that the Career Centre hosts, we offer students free LinkedIn headshots. Make sure to mark your calendars for Telfer Networks (happening in January), as you do not want to miss this opportunity!
2) Background Photo
Everyone’s LinkedIn profile looks the same and often boring. By adding a background photo will allow you to express your creativity and bring more personality to your page. Again, just keep in mind that the background needs to be professional but visually appealing.
Check out this website for some ideas and inspiration for creative LinkedIn backgrounds.
3) Customize public profile URL
Did you know that you can create a customized LinkedIn profile URL?
I didn’t know this until last year and it is very useful when connecting with employers. It will not only allow you to be easily searchable by employers, but you can add it to your resume, email signature, or business cards. When you create a LinkedIn account, your URL will be generic with a bunch of random numbers/ letters attached to the end. You can shorten the URL and make it personalized by changing the ending to your name: linkedin.com/in/yourname
Here are the two easy steps on how you can personalize your LinkedIn profile URL:
- In the top right area, click the section “Edit Public Profile & URL”
- Once redirected to the page, in the top right area under “Edit Public Profile URL” there is a pencil icon and click this and type your name in
4) Summary
When employers view your LinkedIn profile, they want to quickly get a sense of who you are and in the summary section this is the perfect opportunity. The summary section is a short paragraph outlining and expanding who you are, your current work experience, and relevant skills and abilities to the industry. It should also highlight some of your interests and career aspirations. Ensure that your summary is only a couple sentences in length (I would say 5-6 sentences maximum), as it is easy for employers to read.
Still need some guidance in creating the perfect professional LinkedIn profile? The Career Centre offers individual LinkedIn critiques. Stop by the Student Services Centre and book an appointment with the Centre Centre!
References
https://business.linkedin.com/talent-solutions/blog/2014/12/5-tips-for-picking-the-right-linkedin-profile-picture
https://www.thebalance.com/take-a-professional-photo-for-linkedin-2064035
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/linkedin-numbers-2017-statistics-meenakshi-chaudhary/
https://www.inc.com/larry-kim/22-top-tips-to-effectively-raise-your-profile-on-linkedin.html
We have all heard of this statement. That we’re all more than our degrees. But what does that even mean? Are we ACTUALLY more than our grades? More than our transcript? Yes. Yes we are. But not for the same reasons you may think. I want to talk to you today about what it means to really succeed as a student.
Now, we all know how important it is to have a good GPA as well as meaningful experiences through extra-curriculars. It’s true, they are both equally important and as Telfer students, we must work towards finding a balance between the two to ensure ultimate success for when we step into the real world.
The question is though, what does "success" mean in this context? Does it mean getting A job? A DREAM job? A fulfilling University experience?
It’s different for everyone, but the "issue" here is that we want to reach this ultimate goal that is common between many of the other students around us, and that’s where the competitive outlook rises. And that is where our true issue lies.
Left, right and centre, students know that they must differentiate themselves from other students, and that’s normal. It’s part of business and it’s part of finding a job. But I often find that students feel the pressure to participate in activities and clubs because they feel like they HAVE to, not because they WANT to. Technically yes, we do have to push for these extracurriculars to have a well rounded experience for employers to consider us. But we tend to forget that employers want us to be as genuine as possible, and that includes ensuring all that we do throughout our university is done because we wanted to participate in those clubs, events etc. and not because the next student did it.
I often hear students say how they don't feel that they are "good enough", and when you ask them why, they say because everyone else seems to be doing so much more than they are. Why does it matter if student X is a part of three clubs and you're a part of one? Why does it matter if student Y was able to hold a first year rep position and maintain good grades while you didn’t?
The secret is though, it doesn't matter. We must all strive to push ourselves, and complete tasks and be a part of events and clubs that may interest us, but we should do all those things because we WANT to and because we genuinely want to be better. If we feel pressured to join clubs, then there's a distorted mindset that can limit the student from actually putting in 100% effort and/or learning from those experiences. And how is that beneficial for you or for an employer?
It's one thing when students feel they aren't doing enough, but it's another when students feel they aren't doing enough early on into their degree. I didn't participate at all in extra-curriculars within first year, because I wanted to focus on my grades and adjust to the university life, and I do not regret it! Don't get me wrong, participating in first year is a great way to ease into the university life, but I knew myself, and I knew that I would feel much more comfortable going at my OWN pace, not the pace of the student next to me. Now I'm a part of a club and I'm a Career Centre Ambassador, it's never too late to get involved!
Equally as important, is having a good personality and building those communicative skills with every opportunity you get. When I worked at the CFIA within the HR branch, my supervisor always reminded me that we can always train people the skills needed for a job, but we can’t train people to have a good personality. That's why as (business) students, it's essential for our success that we always strive to be better people from within, to be good team players, to be courteous, to learn how to handle social situations, to be good company and to love people.
And in this context, success means being the best character you can be, having the best grades you can achieve, and striving for new opportunities and experiences for yourself first and foremost, and that is what will get reflected to your future employer(s).
So here are the takeaways:
- Your degree is YOUR journey, take it at your own pace, and DO NOT compare yourself to others.
- Your university experience is the perfect time to reflect on yourself, your traits and personality. Use that to your advantage by attending networking events and engaging in group projects to really build your communicative, interpersonal as well as your intrapersonal skills.
- Overall, focus on striving to be the best version of yourself in every way, that's what makes you worth A LOT more than the numbers on your transcript.
"The Digital Marketing Development Program generated so much interest last winter that we decided to make it into a course. I am one of two instructors for the English class, along with Jonathan Simon. We wanted to do something different, so we partnered with PageCloud and Klipfolio to bring students a course which is innovative and practical. The course has no textbook and all student assignments are done on the website so they can get real-life experience; they build a personal branding website and practice the topics explored in class, all while developing a digital footprint that will help them to secure employment.
We have also integrated speakers from different companies, who speak about different topics such as analytics, SEO, content marketing, IX/UX, etc. Our goal is to provide students with exposure to the skills, knowledge, and networks required to work in this field.
Students also have the option to attend our annual Marketing Trip to Toronto. This year, we will visit Google, 500 PX, Proctor & Gamble, Rogers, and WE Charity. This trip is designed to introduce students to Toronto’s digital marketing ecosystem."
- Kimberley
Relationship Manager at the Career Centre and Digital Marketing Instructor
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.
We all know what time of the year is coming… That’s right ― fall Reading Week is almost here! Now, I’m sure you’re all excited as I am, but we all know what reading week is truly about.
We’re meant to use this time to study for our midterms, but most times, we just end up taking a huge break from school work (a week-long break, that is). But this year, let’s change things. Let’s make the most of this reading week, and be as productive as possible!
The real question is, how can we be productive during reading week? Well, here are five handy tips to ensure that the upcoming week will be successful for you!
1) Manage & schedule your time effectively
This is probably the most important tip when it comes to studying (hence, why it’s number one). Being able to manage your time effectively is the difference between an amazing grade and a poor grade. And trust me, it’s definitely not easy, even I have troubles with time management. But think of time management as a skill - there may be a few bumps as you start learning how to time manage, but it just takes practice. And as time goes on, you begin to get better, and better, and eventually - you become an expert. On another note, let me tell you some effective ways to time manage. Keeping an agenda is very helpful, whether it be a physical agenda or even a virtual one (have you ever heard of My Study Life? If not, be sure to check it out). An agenda can help us keep track of all the tasks we need to get done, and can give us a “bird’s-eye view” of upcoming assignments/midterms. Being able to prioritize which tasks at hand are important and which ones are not is also a golden rule. Identify your most important task and work hard to complete it, and move on to the less important ones after.
2) Find the right study spot
If you’re anything like me, then you need to have the perfect study spot to be productive. It needs to have perfect lighting, a spacious desk, an area that’s not too loud but not too silent either, and it must be the perfect temperature. But of course, to get all those is pretty much impossible…. However, if satisfying some of these factors allows you to effectively accomplish your tasks at hand, then there’s no harm in searching for your ideal study spot! Once you find it, it’ll make life much easier, because not only do you save the time that you could have used searching for a spot, but you can also be more efficient and productive with your time!
3) Don’t forget to take breaks
Non-stop studying can be extremely overwhelming, not to mention very unproductive too. That’s exactly why it’s important to take breaks. It’s especially easy when you have a break schedule in place, to alleviate you from the intense studying. For example, you can study for 50 minutes, and then take a 10-minute break, and repeat! During your break, also be sure to physically get up and walk away from your study spot. You can go for a quick bathroom break, grab something to eat, or even go outside for a little while. Now, completing all three of the above-mentioned activities in 10 minutes would be more of a mission than a break, so it’s up to you to spend your break in the way that works best for you.
4) Eat healthy & stay healthy
Some people believe it’s all psychological, but eating well during midterm season is absolutely essential. Having a well-balanced meal, with some source of meat or protein, vegetables/fruits, dairy products, and carbohydrates makes the biggest difference when it comes to studying. If you don’t want to spend a lot of time preparing a full meal, eating some snacks or “brain food” can also help you concentrate and be more productive while studying. Some brain foods include nuts (almonds, walnuts, etc.), apples, broccoli, berries, eggs, and for all you chocolate lovers, dark chocolate!
In addition to eating a well-balanced, healthy meal (or snacks), it is really important to get a good amount of sleep during midterm time. Sleeping and taking naps has been proven to help both learning and memory. This is because it is during this time that your brain reactivates and reorganizes already learned material, which can result in improved memory and can help boost performance. And what’s a better time to catch up on sleep than reading week? Be sure to take advantage of this, I know I will!
5) Give your phone a break
The biggest distraction of all… phones, social media, and anything in between. Whether you’re studying for a class that you like or hate, simply having your phone beside you can be such a temptation - not to mention, it can throw you off track in an instant! I’m sure we’ve all asked ourselves, taking 5 minutes to check Instagram, Snapchat and LinkedIn wouldn’t do any harm, will it? Well, when five minutes turn into an hour, it can sure make the biggest difference. That’s why it’s important to stay proactive! You can do so by:
- Temporarily deleting all social media apps from your phone (it’s alright, you can always reinstall them after).
- Turning your phone off (or muting it) when studying, or putting it in a different room, so that you’re not tempted to get up and get it.
- Using websites on your laptop to block your social media sites, so that you’re not tempted to go on them when your phone is put away.
On a final note, hopefully you can all use these tips to be productive during this upcoming reading week.
Good luck studying & have a great reading week!
Links Referenced:
http://www.creativitypost.com/create/work_smarter_not_harder_21_time_management_tips_to_hack_productivity
https://www.mystudylife.com/
http://www.campustalkblog.com/top-10-brain-foods-that-help-you-study-and-get-better-grades/
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/sleep-helps-learning-memory-201202154265
With the amount of school work and extracurricular activity commitments piling up, October can be a stressful month! October is also a busy month for recruiters, searching for perfect candidates to fulfill their co-op, internship, holiday staff positions, etc., and students often feel nervous about upcoming interviews.
Below are some tips and advice on how to impress employers and land your next dream position.
1) Research
Research the company and research commonly asked interview questions. By researching the company in advance, it shows the interviewer your interest and knowledge about the type of work they perform. In addition, it also allows you to learn more about the corporate culture and determine if you would be a good fit within the company. Recruiters will almost always start the interview by asking you some basic questions and you should have some ideas and/or points that you would like to talk about. Prepare by jotting down some bullet points but do not memorize your answers, as this will come off as not genuine and sound like you are reading a script.
As for the behavioural and situational type of interview questions, think about specific events that demonstrated values that are important to the company work environment and the job role. When answering behavioural and situational questions, keep in mind the “STAR” method: Situation, Task, Action, Results.
Here are a few commonly asked interview questions:
- Tell me about yourself.
- Why do you want the job? What makes you qualified for the job?
- What skills and abilities can you bring to this job?
- What makes you different / stand out from other applicants?
- Tell me about a time you demonstrated leadership.
2) Dress to Impress
First impressions are always key and they can make or break the deal. It is crucial for employers to recognize that you take the interview seriously and are not wasting their valuable time; therefore, if you overdress or underdress, you will give them the wrong impression.
Here are some suggestions for professional attire:
- Ladies: suit, suit with skirt (not too short), flats/high heels (conservative height)
- Gentlemen: dark coloured suit (but avoid black), button-up dress shirt with tie, dress shoes
Most importantly, be comfortable in the clothes you are wearing. The last thing you want to be doing during the interview is fidget with your clothes because they are ill-fitting.
3) Follow-up
A follow-up message can be just as important as the interview itself. You just nailed your dream job interview and are nervously awaiting the results. Within 24-48 hours of the interview, send the recruiter an email thanking them for their time and ensure you show enthusiasm and interest in the job position. In order for your follow-up email to make an impact on their decision, make sure to mention something that you find interesting/most looking forward to working at the company.
Good luck acing your next interview(s) and impressing employers! If you are still feeling nervous for the upcoming interview, you can book an individual practice interview with a Career Counsellor.