Alumni Stories

Title: Manager, Tax
Company: Crowe MacKay LLP
Industry: Accounting

My goal was to become a tax professional that could help my friends, family, and myself pay less tax. I enjoy learning and being challenged. It is fulfilling to continuously learn a complicated topic in an ever-changing landscape, find ways to explain it in simple terms, and help clients save money, all while doing something I am passionate about.

I worked on campus to facilitate my learning
Aside from focusing on my studies, I worked on campus to improve my skills. I mentored my peers through being an accounting tutor, Peer Supported Learning Leader, and marker. Other than that, I worked part-time at a tax preparation company during the tax season.

Practice interviews help with your nerves
A strategy I liked was to apply for more jobs than necessary and structure it in a way that your least preferred jobs come first for you to practice. These interviews help with your nerves, and since the jobs are in the same industry, many questions, especially behavioral ones, will be repeated. Try to observe how the interviewer reacted to your response, and then adjust accordingly. The worst-case scenario is you will not get an offer or a second interview, but you can treat it as a step toward improving your future. On the other hand, the best case would be receiving a job offer! Accounting firms often agree to keep offers open until a certain date, so you do not have to accept them right away.

Be proactive and get started on the process early. As someone who is new in Canada, step up and assume each job application as a practice so that you will feel more comfortable since employers ask similar situational questions.

Accounting firms usually start accepting applications for jobs and interviews around the same time. Some resources I suggest checking out are the Langara Accounting Club, accounting clubs from other post-secondary institutions, and CPABC. You will need to update your cover letter, but your resume and transcript could likely be reused for each application.

It is never too early to start networking and connecting with more people.
Your social capital is important in the business world. The majority of new hires, especially with short turnaround times, are from referrals. You never know who will become your employer, employee, client, customer, etc. in the future. Therefore, the first day of your career started the day you enrolled at a post-secondary institution, so it is important to keep that in mind and be proactive with your career.

Do not focus too much on only one event. There are a lot of opportunities to learn and experience the culture. Also, do not be afraid to be vulnerable and let people know your situation. Be open, because you do not know when an opportunity will present itself.

This story was written in the Fall 2022 semester. See Adrian's LinkedIn for updates on his career journey.

Title: Marketing Specialist
Company: New Value Systems
Industry: IT Consulting

My role as a Recruitment Specialist allowed me to gain experience in recruitment, sales, and industry knowledge which aligns with my goal of becoming an account executive in the future. It also gave the opportunity to interact with different IT consultants, learn about IT projects in Canada, what people look for in interviews, and what to put in a resume to get shortlisted for a role.

I discovered the importance of LinkedIn.
Throughout college, I worked several part-time customer service jobs that helped me land my Co-op during my final semester in Langara. At first, my strategy was to apply directly through company websites, but later on, I discovered the importance of LinkedIn. I made sure to update my profile and make it attractive to recruiters. Whenever I am invited for a job interview, I research the company and role beforehand, answer questions clearly, show interest in the opportunity given, and thank the interviewers for their time. During the job application, make sure you have keywords from the job description in your resume and cover letter and always customize your resume for the role/company.

Work for companies you are interested in even if it is just a part-time role.
My part-time jobs helped me in my career journey. In the early stages try out as many things you can, you never know what you will end up liking. After you have tried a few different roles/industries, hone in on your top skills and go from there. I highly encourage students to work for companies they are interested in even if it is just a part-time or entry-level role. Good companies like to promote internally and getting inside the company is already the first step in landing your dream job. I value the Co-op I got through Langara and I highly recommend students do Co-op as an option in your degree.

This story was written in the Spring 2023 semester. See Alejandra’s LinkedIn for updates on her career journey.

Title: Information Assistant
Company: Simon Fraser University
Industry: Education

My background is in Communications, and before moving to Canada, I had a long experience in content writing, editing, proofreading, and customer service. Most of my work was engaging and motivating people through organized information. At Langara, I got involved in several activities that had the common purpose of informing, connecting, and engaging students. Using my skills and experience to help students achieve their goals was so fulfilling that I decided to direct my career path to the post-secondary environment.

My goal was to be able to transfer my skills to a new career path in Canada.
When I was a student, I worked on campus and also had volunteer opportunities on and off campus. The first time I really had to apply to jobs was for my Work Experience term, and it happened at the beginning of the pandemic, in the midst of a lockdown. My main strategy for getting a job was focusing on administrative positions in companies where I could use my skills to help people. Currently, I work as an Information Assistant at SFU Registrar and Information Services, providing students with the information and services they need to succeed.

Networking can be natural if you just share your stories!
I believe networking can have different meanings depending on the culture. In Canada, I learned that networking is very usual and can be natural if you just share your stories, be a good listener to the stories of others, and find common interests. The common interests can open opportunities for future conversations, new connections, maybe an informational interview, or even a job offer.

We can always learn from others’ stories.
Get involved in on-campus activities as much as possible, mainly if you are introverted. Networking can also happen when you join a club, volunteer, or work on campus. Langara offers amazing services to help us succeed, so use them! Also, join mentorship programs and attend events that connect you with professionals willing to share their experiences.

This story was written in the Spring 2023 semester. See Andrea’s LinkedIn for updates on her career journey.

Title: Transition Manager
Company: Sherwin Williams
Industry: Paint

I always envisioned myself as someone who will pass on his knowledge and experience in the future, and my role as a Transition Manager allows me to do just that. I coach and help recruits as they start their journey in the company.

I went into the co-op job not knowing what I wanted to do.
Truthfully, I imagined this as just a summer job to fulfill my work experience requirement. I did not have much job experience, but I wanted to explore different avenues of business. I was fortunate to stumble onto a position that allowed me to do that. After my co-op term, the company allowed me to stay. I did not think fifteen years later that I would still be with Sherwin Williams, flourishing in a role that suits me the best. So, in terms of getting to my current career, the timing was perfect.

If I had any regrets, it is that I was too complacent. I did not take enough risks to try out different levels of management and different challenges that were available within the organization due to the satisfaction and comfort I had at my previous position in the company. Looking back, I wish I had attempted those challenges to not only build my resume, but to develop stronger skills within the company.

Sometimes being the most prepared for an interview does not necessarily mean you are the best candidate.
One of the reasons that landed me this co-op role was how I conducted myself when talking to my interviewer. I prepared for the interview just like any other candidate. However, when the interview happened, it ended up being more of a conversation with the interviewer. Everything I prepared for the interview went out the window after the first couple of minutes and we ended up talking about not only the expectations of my role for the position, but also about casual things. So, my advice is treat the interview like a conversation with friends and family. The human element is just as important as the qualifications.

Promote yourself!
Many companies look for people who are not only confident but proud too. You do not have to come off as cocky to be proud of your successes and abilities. Look for jobs that interest you and show initiative by applying even if you do not meet all the requirements. The worst thing they can do is say no. Then, you can move on to the next opportunity.

This story was written in the Spring 2023 semester. See Andrew's LinkedIn for updates on his career journey.

Title: Office Administrator and Accounting Assistant
Company: Envirochem Services Inc.
Industry: Engineering

My work totally aligns with my career goals. I work in a company that has the same values as myself with the right culture and teamwork. My tasks are exactly what I wanted to experience, and now after 5 years, I have a chance to revisit my long-term career goals and select the tasks I prefer to continue and improve doing and grow with the company.

I thought about what I would like to do and how far I wanted to go.
When my husband and I decided to move to Canada from Brazil, I had to really think about a new career strategy because the validation of my first degree (Law) would be very long and expensive. So, I thought about what my strengths, weaknesses, and values are. Closer to graduation, I used concepts from the Communications Skills course I took to start planning my strategy - researching the jobs that would be a good fit for me and paying attention to what skills I should develop and what experiences and expertise I should make evident in my resume. And then I drew up my short term goal: to find a job that piqued my interest where I could perform the knowledge I’ve acquired; and, my long term goal: to build a new career in a company that aligns with the same values I have.

Networking is a process where you build relationships.
It is where people share information, it is safe to ask questions, and you can grow and learn. You can give and take essential information that might change your perspective, clear your mindset, or even help you set your values. Networking is key for helping you continually develop and learn.
I recognized the importance of networking in a market I was unfamiliar with, so I went to the Co-op & Career Development Centre and met with Career Instructor, Jennifer Reid. I also talked to all my instructors and built my network with them.

Think about your values when preparing your “Tell Me About Yourself” story.
I think about all my values, traits, and skills that are key to that specific job I am looking for. Then I think about all my previous experience, not only work, but all my life experiences that helped me build my values, traits, and skills. In my opinion, this is key to helping you connect your experiences with the skills required for the job. Also, it’s helpful to include some actions you took to resolve issues and the result of the situation.

This story was written in the Spring 2023 semester. See Anna’s LinkedIn for updates on her career journey.

Title: Office Manager
Company: Huard Marble and Tile Ltd.
Industry: Home Design & Installation

My job as an Office Manager gives me perspective on several areas of business such as finance, administration, and marketing. I find that the most fulfilling part of my job is being able to help a medium size company grow and thrive. It allows me to learn for the future as well.

I have always given my best.
I worked a full-time entry-level job during my summer break, trying my best and working hard. When I had to return to part-time, they kept me employed and offered me a full-time position during my co-op. When my co-op ended, and I graduated, they offered me a promotion. I have always accepted jobs that are not my final goals, and I have always given my best. Eventually, I was offered more positions that were aligned with my goals.

Always believe in yourself and be proud of your story.
I used to apply to at least two jobs a day during my job search period. I feel that more than that was too overwhelming because I could not give my best to applications and cover letters. I also kept a Microsoft Word file to help me keep track of my applications. When doing an interview, believe in yourself and be proud of your story. I would suggest focusing on demonstrating skills that are useful for the job, even if you do not have the exact job description qualification required for the position.

Try to learn as much as possible.
Believe in yourself and try to learn as much as possible, no matter what position. If I could go back, I would have invested more time in doing informational interviews. Doing so made me gain a deeper knowledge about the daily life of professionals in the business and helped me create connections I will keep for life. I encourage students to book informational interviews and be a part of all professional events they can attend in the field they are interested in. Ask questions and be curious. You will take these learning with you for the rest of your career.

This story was written in the Fall 2022 semester. See Anna's LinkedIn for updates on her career journey.

Title: Business Sales Consultant
Company: Shaw Communications
Industry: Telecommunication Sales

My main goal is to set-up my own firm, and my current career pathway is giving me exposure to the know-how and challenges behind selling and marketing a product.

Make your presence known.

As a student, I volunteered and made my presence felt throughout the campus, so that when I applied for positions, they recognized me. While searching for my Co-op, I networked crazily by attending networking events across the city. After these events, I made sure to connect with the people I met on LinkedIn, and followed up with them regularly. I got my first job through networking. It was a magical moment for sure. I got connected with the boss at my previous company (who was also the CEO of that company) when I was in my second term. Through LinkedIn he would help me to connect and he also appreciated the activities I posted on LinkedIn. I applied for jobs at several places and when COVID suddenly hit, all those applications got cancelled. One fine day, I got a call from this boss who checked on me and asked if I would be interested to work for him. That's it. I was offered a position without even being interviewed.

For my second job, I sought advice from my connections and sat down with them for coffee chats to make my resume stronger before I started applying. I tried to contact the hiring managers directly by finding their email addresses which helped me get interviews. Langara's EXPE courses helped me to a great extent, that set a base and helped me reach out for informational interviews. I felt prepared to approach these Informational interviews due to extensive training at Langara College that helped me reach out to the right individuals and learn how to improve my resume, application, and interview skills.

Highlight that you have the right problem-solving skills to help the company.
Every company hires to solve an issue they have, so when doing an interview, showcase that you are capable of solving their problem. Also, do not be afraid to ask questions to see if it is a company you want to work for. Be prepared to tell a story for every question asked. Approach them as conversations rather than treating them as Q&A sessions. I've had amazing conversations during interviews. When you have these conversations, your passion for that job automatically flows out and employers can see how you fit in their workplace. Do the basic right things and everything will fall into place. A good resume is a basic requirement to get an interview. There might not be immediate results. But as we keep on applying by implementing our learnings, we will eventually see that there will be an increase in interview calls. Once we start taking interviews, we will start to understand the expectations and eventually will land in an amazing job. It is easy to get disheartened in this process. But, if we can do these basic steps right, we will achieve success.

Stay focused and do not burnout in the process.
A tool that helped me identify my strengths and use them wisely was the StrengthsFinder workshop by Stephanie Koonar. Also, use tools like Google Calendar wisely. I used to log all my activities in Google Calendar, which helped me to know how much time to allot for each of my activities. During my final term, I was leading the events team of the Digital Media Marketing Club, Vice President - Public Relations at the Langara Toastmasters Club, Committee Co-ordinator in the International Education Volunteering Program, a Career Leader at the Co-op & Career Development Centre, an Information Ambassador at The Hub (Office for Student Engagement) and I was taking 4 classes. All this was possible due to effective usage of Google Calendar.

This story was written in the Spring 2023 semester. See Arun’s LinkedIn for updates on his career journey.

Title: Software Developer II
Company: Ceridian
Industry: Tech

As a Software Developer, I am part of the team who is responsible for updating the technology stack behind our Human Capital Management Software, Dayforce. The problem scope and user impacts are teaching me a lot about user experience, product design, and problem-solving. With the constant advancement of technology, it is always a good practice to keep up with current trends and practice the art of continuous learning.

Make it known that you are looking for a job.
My career strategy was to graduate from Langara with some industry experience. The EXPE 2300 course that I took and the career workshops that I attended helped me discover my skills and land my Co-op position. Eventually, my experience and transferable skills helped me land a full-time position after too. While I was looking for an employer, my strategy was to apply to as many jobs as possible, attend networking events, and make it known that I am looking for one.

Do interviews with a positive attitude!
Think of it as a conversation with friends where you talk about your experience and skills, and try to learn more about the role, the team, and the company. Researching the company before the interview will really make a difference. If I was to look back, one thing I should have done is to do multiple co-ops with different employers so that I get to experience different environments.

Keep your connections alive.
Networking is important. One way of approaching people is to listen to what they are talking about, find something to add to the conversation, then jump in and introduce yourself. This helped me ease up about the whole process. Do not worry if you did not get it the first time, just like any other activity, it comes with practice. The more you talk with people, the more comfortable you get. Creating connections with people in your field of interest and keeping those connections alive is immensely valuable for your career.

This story was written in the Fall 2022 semester. See Baljeet's LinkedIn for updates on his career journey.

Title: Graphic User Interface Designer
Company: Robert Half
Industry: Talent Solutions

While studying, I worked part-time in a remote job as a graphic designer for a company in Korea; this helped me apply the concepts I learned in school. It was hard to do remote work at the same time as studying at Langara College, but I think this helped my job search. It also showed that I had the ability to work remotely even though there are big time differences.

Prepare for your elevator pitch during networking events.
When I was looking for jobs, I sent approximately 4-5 resumes per day. I researched the company, and tried to connect with the HR team on LinkedIn and made sure to put their name on the cover letter. In addition, networking is important, especially when showcasing the skills you have. When attending networking events, make sure to be kind to everyone and prepare your elevator pitch. The most challenging part is to be consistent in attending networking events. You should be consistently going to every event the organization offers... I found out that it takes time. A few tips that I can share are be more proactive and consistent when you want to join a new network community and do not expect any job related or hiring information at the start of your relationship. I did a great deal of networking in and out of the campus. Inside Langara College, I joined clubs to expand my network with other students who were studying other courses. I got the chance to see senior grads who got jobs at Big Tech companies in Vancouver.

Do not be afraid to ask questions.
In terms of interview tips, prepare not only for technical questions, but behavioral ones as well. Be at the interview venue ten minutes before, and look around the area to see what the work environment is. Lastly, do not be afraid to ask the interviewer to repeat the question if you do not understand it clearly. In my field, I feel that the difference in interview questions is that they are focused on behaviour as opposed to professional knowledge. Approximately 80% of the questions were on behaviour. I would say about 75% of the questions are non-tech questions. At the end of the interviews, there was a design test and I was tested on my knowledge of web design.

Be proactive wherever you are.
Find opportunities to mingle and connect with great people. As students, it may be through joining Langara clubs and on-campus networking events. Also, do not be afraid to reach out to people on LinkedIn and ask for a coffee talk. Connect with Langara graduates who are in the industry you are aiming for. I think I would have spent more time on my portfolio and website that showed my style of website design, as it is unique among my classmates. I also would have included more about my personal story, e.g. what is my hobby and what kind of person I am, and how I enjoyed the school and school clubs.

This story was written in the Spring 2023 semester. See Bella’s LinkedIn for updates on her career journey.

Title: Facilities Assistant
Company: Langara College
Industry: Education

My goal is to work in Student Services, and I understand that it will require me to have strong organizational, administrative, and relationship-building skills. My current role as a Facilities Assistant is helping me strengthen these skills, which I will transfer to a future position in student advising/ management.

Gain as much experience as you can!
I volunteered with several departments and clubs while studying, which allowed me to gain skill sets, make connections, and understand what I like to do. It was my on-campus work that made me realize that I want to work in Student Services.

Networking means putting yourself out there for the world to see.
It means making meaningful professional connections, sometimes personal as well. It is important because it allows you to gain knowledge and get insights from industry experts; it is always good to hear from people who are doing what you want to do. Networking gives you a sense of direction and helps you find internal jobs.

I applied for jobs conventionally by submitting my resume, but my main strategy was to network. I got my first full-time job at the Royal Bank of Canada due to a referral that I got from someone I met through networking.

Working on campus is amazing!
It is amazing. I have always wanted to work at Langara; it was the dream I saw on the day of my orientation on May 6, 2018. So, when I got the opportunity to work on campus, it felt like coming back home.

This story was written in the Spring 2023 semester. See Bhumika's LinkedIn for updates on her career journey.

Title: Digital Marketing Manager
Company: The InsureBC Group
Industry: Insurance

I got into digital marketing about 6 years ago, and since then I realized that I am more interested in the applications of digital marketing in the financial sector. That is why I work for InsureBC. I am also the founder and CEO of Digiimark (a marketing agency based out of Vancouver). My long-term goal is to learn all the skills from different financial sectors and find different problems to solve.

Learn how to apply what you are learning in the real world!
I began by assisting a local company as a social media specialist, which exposed me to the many tools they used internally to manage and track all of their campaigns. More significantly, it taught me how to apply what I was learning in theory to real-world situations. I also networked and asked questions to industry professionals about the tools they use to manage digital campaigns, and then went home and researched those tools. From there on, I developed my self-help curriculum for all of the skills I would need to learn to start my company.

Have you applied to enough opportunities?
I swear by this rule: if you apply for 100 jobs, you will receive around 5-6 responses, 2-3 in-person interviews, and 1 job. So whenever you are having trouble finding employment after school, ask yourself whether or not you have applied to enough opportunities. Also, this is when your network comes in handy.

Use your time in school to slowly build up your stack of skills.
Pick a vertical you would like to pursue as your career and note down all the skills you would need to be successful in that career. Use your time in school and after to slowly build up your stack of skills, and do not be shy to ask help when stuck with a problem. Also, to ace your next interview, be sure that you know more about the company and the person interviewing you. Plan by preparing a presentation or elevator pitch specific to the organization. This will make a great impression and leave them wanting to learn more about you.

This story was written in the Fall 2022 semester. See Chetan's LinkedIn for updates on his career journey.

Title: Corporate Accountant
Company: Coal Island Ltd.
Industry: Asset Management

My career goals were to get my designation, and move into a senior role within an organization which I have achieved. I am now at a point in my career that I have a fulfilling career where the company that I work at supports and provides the flexibility I need to enhance my skills, take on more challenges, and be available to my baby.

Always have a targeted cover letter in job applications.
My job application strategy was to always have a targeted cover letter. I would take skills that would directly match to the skills listed in the job description, and line them up side by side and say you are looking for these, and these are the skills I have so there was no arguing that I would make a great fit for the company.

Network and get involved!
Always network! Get involved within groups of like minded individuals, volunteer your time, and those that would help you develop skills, and give guidance for where you want to go next.

Networking is getting to know the people around you, what they do, but also how they can better enhance your life and vice versa. It is so important to network because it can connect you with potential job leads, a mentor, or mentee.

Be prepared to show how your weakness is your greatest strength.
Ease the pressure off yourself, the interview is not just about getting to know you. Keep in mind you are interviewing them, listen for clues about the culture, are you being interviewed by your potential supervisor, what are the vibes you are getting, and does it fit with your moral compass and align with your personal values.

This story was written in the Spring 2023 semester. See Christine’s LinkedIn for updates on her career journey.

Title: Senior Content Marketing Manager
Company: Unity
Industry: Tech

I always saw myself working for an international tech company. I wanted something with a “cool factor” which I achieved in Unity. It is amazing to be working for the world’s most popular game engine. I like being creative and solving large organizational problems, and I can strike a balance between those two things in my current role at Unity.

Get certifications!
I worked in restaurants to pay my rent but also started consulting to gain digital marketing experience. My instructors helped me find potential work to build my portfolio, and I made sure to get certifications too. There are many free certifications, such as Google Analytics, Google Ads, Youtube, and the like. Look for opportunities to work on projects while you are in school and try to put your skills into practice. You can also do this through volunteering, or using Google Analytics Demo to practice. These helped me get a leg up over the competition and positioned me well for my first marketing job.

I got my first job through networking.
Someone I used to work with at the restaurant started a digital marketing company, I reached out and asked if they were hiring, and turns out they were! Never underestimate the power of networking; it is the reason why I secured a full-time role even before I graduated. Be prepared and rehearse when doing job interviews and anticipate some of the questions the interviewers will ask you. Most likely, there will be a conflict question , problem-solving, and one about adaptability.

Some examples are:

• Tell me about a time you had a hard conversation with your coworker
• Tell me about a time you felt overwhelmed.
• Tell me about a time you had a complex problem you needed to solve and the steps you took to solve it.

My suggestion is to find stories you can use for multiple situational questions. I also find it important to have a vision for your future roles. TELUS and Unity were both on my vision board. I do not know how it works, but it works. Next stop, Google.

Candidates that stood out were the ones who showed authenticity and sincerity.
Hiring managers are not just looking for qualifications or skills; they want to know who you are as a person. In my experience as a hiring manager, the candidates that stood out were the ones that showed authenticity and communicated with sincerity. Also, make your resume stand out. There are many tools out there to help you make attractive ones like Novoresume.

This story was written in the Fall 2022 semester. See Daniel's LinkedIn for updates on his career journey.

Title: Marketing Manager
Company: Sandman & Sutton Place Hotels
Industry: Hospitality

Where I am right now, has been a culmination of all my experiences working for different types of companies. From a small startup, to a large multinational agency, working in these different environments has given me the experience I need to be successful in my current role.

Get a variety of experiences before graduation.
I was the Student Representative on the Langara College Board of Governors, participated in student clubs, represented the College in business case competitions, and had three different co-op work placements. My career strategy after college was to continue getting different experiences within marketing by working for a mix of in-house brands and agencies. This combination gave me the skills and perspective that I needed to succeed.

Networking is about building meaningful relationships.
When I go to a networking event, I am more interested in meeting one or two people and having good conversations with them, than trying to meet as many people as I can. Networking is so important because a wide circle of people you know and trust will give you access to resources and opportunities that may not be otherwise available to you.

Just to emphasize how important my network has been in my career, every job I've ever had has been because of my network. I got my internships because of connections I made through school clubs and events, and every time I've moved to another company or agency, it's because someone in my network has referred me or recommended me for the job before it was public.

Be proactive when searching for opportunities.
My strategy at Langara College was meeting as many industry professionals as I could through all the extracurricular activities I was doing. My first co-op placements and first full time job came through the connections I made through clubs and events at the College. Prioritize what you're doing outside of the classroom. Be active in extracurricular activities and proactive when searching for the opportunities you want for your career.

This story was written in the Spring 2023 semester. See Dean’s LinkedIn for updates on his career journey.

Title: Student Services Operations Manager
Company: Langara College
Industry: Education

Since working at the College, I’ve been very fortunate to work on several different projects and with many different leaders to learn all about the different areas in Post-Secondary Student Affairs. I hope to be an administrative leader in Student Affairs, so my current role as Student Services Operations Managers aligns very well with my goals. In my current role I work closely with all the Student Services Managers and collaborate with other non-academic units, which allows me to expand my knowledge of Student Affairs.

I’ve always felt a strong connection to Langara.
As a former student athlete I’ve always felt a strong connection to Langara. As an employee, I feel a strong sense of belonging and I enjoy working with all the great students, faculty, and staff here.
During my studies, I was also a member of the women’s basketball team, so I didn’t have much extra time to work or volunteer on top of studying and practice. At the time, I was thinking about physiotherapy or occupational therapy (OT) as future career options, so my strategy was to connect with people who were in the same or similar fields and volunteer during the off season to gain relevant experience. I spent a lot of time speaking to our team Athletic Therapist and my physio about what their day-to-day work looked like and the education they did. They had great advice on what courses I should take and connected me to relevant volunteer opportunities. In the summertime, I volunteered with Providence Health Care to work with the physio and OT on-site. The experience I got through volunteering helped me learn that I did not want to pursue physio or OT.

I define networking as making connections and building relationships.
The people I network with are ones that I have some common interests with, and I value these relationships because of the advice and mentorship I receive, as well as the relevant opportunities that I learn. After graduating from UBC, I took a targeted approach with my job applications and only applied to jobs that were relevant to community, sport, and recreation. I had also reached out to people in my network to see if they knew of any opportunities that I may be interested in. A majority of the jobs I got were actually from people in my network.

This story was written in the Spring 2023 semester. See Denise's LinkedIn for updates on her career journey.

Title: Senior Mortgage Underwriter
Company: Canada ICI Capital Corporation
Industry: Real Estate

My career goals were simple – be an expert in my field, contribute greatly to the community, and inspire others. I am currently leading the Vancouver analyst team at Canada ICI Capital Corporation, which allows me to build a strong foundation to grow, as well as bring great support to my teammates.

Identify your end goal.
My strategy would be to identify my end goals and backtrack to know the middle steps required to reach my goals. My approach to job applications would to be first, spend at least two full days updating my resume and LinkedIn profile to match with the jobs I want. Second, I would identify all the platforms to submit my applications, including through my network and headhunters. Lastly, I would try to apply as soon as the jobs become available and keep a tracker.

Networking is critical not only for getting a job, but also for building your career.
It could be as simple as sending invitations to someone with a mutual connection to get a conversation going. You will find many wholesome people who are willing to give advice to the next generation.

Know who you are and aim towards what you want with all you have.
Another great advice for students from personal experience is to try and surround yourself with those who bring out the best in you – supportive colleagues and friends, or strong competition.

This story was written in the Spring 2023 semester. See Dominic's LinkedIn for updates on his career journey.

Title: Public Relations Coordinator
Company: Jelly Digital Marketing and PR
Industry: Digital Marketing and Public Relations

As a Public Relations Coordinator, the part I find the most fulfilling is helping clients and small businesses make an impact within their industry to reach their goals. Working at a Marketing Agency has allowed me to quickly grow my strengths and diversify my skills in Marketing and PR. As someone who never knew exactly what area of marketing I wanted to work in, an agency has helped identify what companies and industries best align with my goals and better target my skills to fit this. My current role offers a lot of opportunities within different industries, which is part of the reason it has been a great fit for me in my career path.

Volunteer, build connections, and show enthusiasm.
My career strategy involved three things: volunteering, building connections through networking, and showing enthusiasm when applying for jobs. I made sure that the role aligned with my intended goals, and I took time to approach each opportunity with a unique and tailored application. My interview tip for students is to take your time. It is easy to feel rushed under pressure, but it is best to take your time, pause, and assess the question.

Put more intention into building better connections.
Reflecting on my previous experience, I think I would have been more intentional with my volunteer work and networking meetings. It is such a great opportunity to attend these sorts of things while in school. At that time, I did not make as much of an effort to attend and grow with these events, as I felt busy with classes and work. I wish I had put more intention into building better connections for my career. I would recommend students to join BCAMA and CSMPS since both associations have great benefits and networking opportunities.

Put yourself out there!
I would recommend that students apply to jobs that align with their goals and interests. It is much easier to be enthusiastic when you are authentically interested in the company and what they have to offer. Whether this is a charity the company supports or the industry it operates in, there are many ways to find companies that align with your values. Be true to yourself and the employer will see the enthusiasm you bring. The more people you meet and the more experiences you have, the better chance of finding the right job for you. So, put yourself out there!

This story was written in the Fall 2022 semester. See Emma's LinkedIn for updates on her career journey.

Title: Account Manager
Company: Malaspina Consultants
Industry: Business Consulting

My current work allows me to participate in all accounting processes, from bookkeeping to reviewing financial statements and preparing reports for Controllers and Chief Financial Officers (CFO) for public companies in the office. The diversity of our clients’ industries has given me the opportunity to learn and gain more experience in a variety of fields. My next step is to get expertise in the mining and investment industries and to become an Assistant Controller.

Understand the company’s values.
My job application strategy was to research the company, understand its values, and verify if it aligns with my goals and skills. Also, find the best way to apply for the position, whether it’s better to apply through LinkedIn or the company’s website. Lastly, check if there is someone you know at the company that you can connect with to learn more about the company, and if there is a possibility they can help you in the process of applying for the position you want.

Networking is a collective effort to improve knowledge.
Networking is professionally connecting groups of people brought together by similar interests to help each other strengthen their businesses. This is important because it is a collective effort to improve knowledge and expand the business.

Highlight your skills when answering the “Tell Me About Yourself” question.
During interviews, I usually briefly state the strengths of my experiences that are aligned with the position’s requirements and highlight my best skills needed for the position.

This story was written in the Spring 2023 semester. See Fabiane's LinkedIn for updates on her career journey.

Title: Associate Full Stack Engineer
Company: Amazon Web Services
Industry: Tech

My career goal is to become a Principal Software Engineer and I'm currently working as Senior Associate Full Stack Engineer which is one step towards reaching my goals. My strategy in college was to do as many Computer Science related courses as possible, which covered different areas of the subject like computer science theory, web development, software development, algorithms and data structures, networking, etc. It gave me more insight into the subject and helped me to choose a path that I liked the most.

Never underestimate an interview, one small question could be the decision making point.
For the interview process, I would say it’s most important is to prepare before every interview. I had some experiences where I could have passed the interview process, if had I have prepared for it. Never underestimate an interview even if you feel like you know everything, one very small question could be the decision making point. For interviews at junior levels, the most important piece of advice would be to go over the actual languages and tools mentioned in the job listing. Make sure to do your research about what questions the company has asked in the last couple months. This might be through asking people that work in the company through LinkedIn or searching the discussion sections on sites like glassdoor.com or leetcode.com. Often many post the questions they have been asked for specific companies.

The most recent experience I had, which completely changed my way of looking at interviews, was when I passed Amazon's interview for the Software Developer position. I always thought that I'm not among the brightest and smartest people that works for FAANG companies, but having worked there, I can say that it is achievable. You just need to be consistent. It took me around 6-8 months after I graduated to get my first tech job but after I got that position the growth is exponential.

The most important soft skill would be your confidence in selling yourself.
At the end of the day, an interview is just like a seller trying to sell something valuable to a customer. You need to have confidence in your skill set and be able to deliver the correct message to the interviewer. The key is communication.

I think the most common challenge for new grads or students is the lack of experience by projects. Yes, courses do provide some material to understand and learn the concepts, but you need to do some hard work and build some working projects to show your team efforts. These projects can really lighten up the resumes as a student's resume is often empty due to lack of work experience.

Once you start working on real world projects many new doors are going to open.
Getting your first job is the hardest part. But once you crack the first phase you go from studying from lectures/course materials to actually learning from a professional setting. It opens new gates to how you think and approach problems, and then you start to understand how things actually work together. We often learn new programming languages and tools separately, but once you start working on real world projects, it opens up the connections.

For current students, I recommend to go through Langara’s Computer Science courses list and try to pick some good ones that are in line with your interests. For instance, if you are more aligned with web development, then Langara has courses like Web Development 1/2 and Full Stack Development 1/2. Also, collaborate with more students and try to build new projects that you can show on your resume and Github. After graduating I did not have any projects, so I started building projects which took quite a bit of time to get my resume to a level where I felt confident. In this sense, I would have definitely collaborated more with some friends to create some projects to show in my resume, especially during the last few semesters.

This story was written in the Spring 2023 semester. See Gursharan’s LinkedIn for updates on his career journey.

Title: Software Engineer
Company: Twitter
Industry: Tech

I have always been curious about how teams work cross-functionally in big tech companies, and my job as a Software Engineer allowed me to experience it first-hand. It helped me grow as an overall engineer by exposing me to things I do not normally come across with.

Hands-on experience teaches you so much more than just text-book learning.
My projects tremendously helped me develop the confidence to show up for interviews. Doing so pushed me to put my skills into action and practice what it will be like in the real world. In-person meetups helped me build connections and practice my communication skills. I remember introducing myself to people and letting them know that I will be graduating soon, and I am looking for work opportunities. I also discussed my projects and asked for their feedback. A lot of the time these were in tech company offices which kept me inspired thinking that I will someday work in a similar office space.

I got all my jobs through LinkedIn.
It is important to have a strong LinkedIn profile. Believe it or not, I got all my jobs for the past four years through LinkedIn. When I am looking for a job, I would turn on my “Open to Work” status and make sure my profile is up to date. Letting your connections know that you are available for new opportunities always helps out. Students who aspire to be Software Engineers should be thorough with CS fundamentals such as programming, data structures, algorithms, and the like. Programming platforms like LeetCode and Hackerank helps you practice questions that might end up in your coding rounds. Improving your communication skills is important too to be more confident. If I were to look back, I would invest more time in learning new technologies and working on my projects.

Do not compare yourself to other people.
Never lose hope when you are not receiving responses to your applications. Most alumni have submitted 100+ applications but you only need one “yes” to start your journey. Continuing to work on personal projects, building your Github portfolio, attending networking events, and keeping your LinkedIn profile up to date are some of my tips for students. I also believe that developing your soft skills such as communication, being a team player, and conflict resolution will help you succeed in the industry. Do not compare yourself to other people. As long as you are better than yourself from yesterday, then your journey is unique!

This story was written in the Fall 2022 semester. See Harmanpreet's LinkedIn for updates on her career journey.

Title: SEO Specialist
Company: CT21 Analytics
Industry: Digital Marketing

To be honest, I first wanted to go work to gain work experience in the Canadian environment. I was lucky to be hired by Langara College after graduation, which was the most valuable experience in my career. Currently, I am working as a SEO Specialist in both in a marketing agency and as freelance work. It was what I wanted to do when I was in school. My career goals slightly changed after a few years, but my experience will be the base for a new chapter of my career journey.

I like to keep track of all my job applications in a spreadsheet.
My job application strategy was to apply to as many as I could (of course the job should spark my interest and meet my abilities and needs) and treating the job application process as a full-time job. For example, allocating specific hours a day for submitting job applications, job searching, and networking. More importantly, I like to keep track of all my job applications in a spreadsheet. This tool is helpful when the employers contact you for the interview and you need to know right away who is calling, and for which position.

Networking involves friendships too!
Networking is building professional relationships with others for now or later. Sometimes, it involves friendships too. Without networking, it is very hard to know people who work in the field we want to reach out to for job opportunities. Clicking on the apply button on Indeed is not enough nowadays – we need networking.

Just be yourself in interviews.
My interview tips are:

1. Review your cover letter for every job application.
2. Analyze the job posting and write down all the potential interview questions that the interviewers might ask and of course, outline the answer for each question.
3. For the “Tell Me About Yourself” question, talk about your background, related work experience, and your interests and hobbies!
4. Just be yourself!

This story was written in the Spring 2023 semester. See Jack's LinkedIn for updates on his career journey.

Title: Enterprise Account Executive
Company: Confluent
Industry: Tech

While at Langara College, I knew I always wanted to get into B2B sales. I love working with executives, traveling, solving new complex global problems, and quarterbacking initiatives with a team of talented professionals. Sales as a career path has allowed me to have the opportunity to fulfill all these things.

Take part-time jobs that teach you new skills and start networking.
My career strategy encompassed a few things. One – working part-time was critical to see how the world operated, and I tried my best to take on roles that did not just pay the bills, but also taught me new skills and experiences. The other one was networking. There is no better time to network than as a student because the majority of professionals are much more likely to help out someone who is early in their career for free.

Putting yourself in uncomfortable situations will help you adapt in the long-term.
A lot of people assume that B2B sales requires extroverted personalities. This couldn’t be further from the truth, the majority of the top people in this profession are either ambiverts or introverts. This career path requires more listening than speaking, being adaptable to different kinds of people and environments, and strong research skills. The more curious you are the better, as you will be solving unique customer challenges each day. Any role that requires you to meet customers and work in teams will be a great start to build the foundational skills required for this career path. I personally worked as a bank teller and a clothing retailer, and together these unique customer challenges helped me develop the resiliency and breadth of knowledge that I still apply to my career today.

Make a difference!
I have gotten every single job in my career from cold calls, networking, referrals, LinkedIn messaging, and inbound recruiters. If you do not have LinkedIn, create an account and cold-message professionals that you wish to learn from and invite them to a virtual coffee session. You will be surprised how many say “yes.” I met with at least 3 professionals a week for an entire year (in-person at the time) and made friendships and connections that I still have to this day by doing this. From there, I was easily able to get referrals to organizations I truly wanted to work for.

Do not click the “fast apply” button and expect to magically land a role.
Build a targeted list of organizations you truly want to work for, network aggressively within these organizations to understand how they operate and what the day in life looks like, and then seek ways to get internal and external referrals via the connections you have made. Do not fear failure, you will make mistakes and fail throughout your life. College is the safest time to make mistakes and fail, so keep failing and learning from your experiences. You will need to continually put yourself in uncomfortable growth situations to truly develop yourself. Build a circle of experienced mentors that you can rely on for objective advice. Ensure these are people you either look up to, aspire to be, or have accomplished things that you wish to one day achieve.

This story was written in the Spring 2023 semester. See Jai’s LinkedIn for updates on his career journey.

Title: Senior Student Recruitment Manager
Company: University Canada West
Industry: Education

I wanted to set up an international network with the educational stakeholders, consultants, and speakers to provide quality experiences to prospective internationals students, as I had when I was looking for opportunities to study abroad. Now, I have a network of over 200 partners across the globe in the same industry I’m serving.

Build your network!
I always believed in the importance of networking, volunteering, and supporting immigrants, so that I can build larger network. Connecting with people from the same or different backgrounds in order to learn is not what networking means to me, instead, it’s how you maintain and sustain those relations.

Think about your job application strategy.
I never had a target number of applications to send per week. Instead, my strategy was to enhance and leverage my LinkedIn network weekly through creating attractive posts and engaging with other people’s content, as networking was key to my success.

Be prepared before you go to interviews.
My three interview tips are:

• They always ask about challenges you’ve faced in the past.
• Be ready to offer the solutions for these challenges.
• Always send them thank you email and stay connected after the interview.

This story was written in the Spring 2023 semester. See Jashanpreet's LinkedIn for updates on his career journey.

Title: Implementation Specialist
Company: Harris Computer
Industry: Tech

I am passionate about building a data-driven mindset in different businesses, and my role as a Technical Implementation Specialist helps me understand how projects are implemented from requirements gathering to final deployment.

I categorized my career strategy into three phases.
The first phase was survival. I did part-time jobs both on campus and in the retail industry during my first few years in Canada. The next phase was breaking the chain of part-time jobs and getting a full-time role in the tech sector. Lastly, it was to look for the best way you can help others, and be part of a global organization.

I looked for jobs using the rapid-fire strategy, then I learned this does not help.
I was searching for a job initially through a rapid-fire strategy wherein I sent multiple applications online and waited for an email from the recruiter. Eventually, I learned this does not help. Therefore, I started networking by joining tech events, college sessions, and many more. I also sought internal mentoring sessions, which enabled me to build trust with the organization’s executives, and later got my full-time offer.

You already have the necessary skills, that is why your profile was selected.
You were invited for an interview for a reason. I suggest you prepare and make the most out of it. Learn more about the business, and the community it is surrounded with. Also, do not compete with the job description, but rather integrate it with both your technical and soft skills.

This story was written in the Fall 2022 semester. See Jaspreet's LinkedIn for updates on his career journey.

Title: Project Manager
Company: Earth Daily Analytics
Industry: Educational Technology

I work as Project Manager for an Aerospace company located in Vancouver. Completing my Project Management Professional (PMP) certification has helped me secure the type of work I was doing when I lived in Brazil. Back at home, my career was mostly focused in Management Consulting and Project Management. It was something that I really enjoyed and wanted to pursue when I moved to Canada. The reason I chose to do my PDD in Marketing was mainly to broaden my knowledge base, since I believed that if I did something like a Business course, I might not get as much value, because I already had a BBA and a lot of experience.

The value of cultural diversity and new perspectives.
One experience that has had a profound impact on my career was the fact that I went to Langara to study. This experience taught me the value of cultural diversity and opened my eyes to new perspectives and ways of thinking. I realized that a different culture can bring a wealth of positive experiences and opportunities, rather than simply being viewed as something challenging, negative, or unfamiliar. Being exposed to new ideas and ways of doing things, I became more adaptable, and open-minded.
Since then, I have applied this lesson to my work by embracing diversity and being open to new perspectives. I have found that this has helped me to collaborate more effectively with colleagues from different backgrounds, and to bring fresh ideas and approaches to the table. This has been a key factor in my success thus far, and I continue to seek out new opportunities to broaden my horizons and gain new perspectives. This made me more understanding and empathetic towards the challenges that others may face in their own lives and careers.

Generate a network of people that know you and understand your skills set.

In my case, it was very hard to actually just get an interview with companies. I had sent more than 50 applications, customized resumes and cover letters, and had received only one reply. And that reply, although resulted in an interview, did not result in a job offer. And of course, no one says to you why you didn't get any feedback, but you can only assume it was because of a lack of Canadian experience on the specific field you are applying too. This I believe is the sentiment among every single PDD student arriving in Canada. We all come here from different backgrounds but with work experience (many times with significant amounts of experience, 5, 10 years) and university diplomas, PhDs and so forth. But once we get to Canada the professional transition is very complicated, and in many cases we work at part-time jobs unrelated to our careers.

My recommendation in this case is not establishing a "number" for sending out resumes. My advice would be networking (which was what actually landed me my first job back in my field) and looking for a position that you are really passionate about. If you are just in it for the "numbers game" chances are that your applications will lack character and not captivate your reader. If you are passionate about the position though, you will have a lot of interesting ideas on what could be done to really show the interviewer(s) why you should be the one hired.

Networking is a critical component in landing your first job in any field, including Project Management. Attending industry events, conferences, and workshops is a great way to meet other professionals in the field and expand your network. Connecting with professionals through LinkedIn, professional organizations, and alumni groups can also be helpful. Offering to help or volunteer on relevant projects and asking for informational interviews with professionals in your desired field are additional ways to build your network and gain valuable experience. Building relationships with colleagues, classmates, professors, and mentors is also important, as is participating in industry groups, forums, and online discussions to showcase your knowledge and expertise. Only because of the connections and network I developed during the end of my experience at Langara I was able to finally start my journey back towards my area and make the transition.

Project Management is nothing more than solving problems using a framework.

It does not matter where you work at or what you do, you will always have to solve problems. Project Management just provides you with the framework, that can be applied (with some modifications) to any situations. One of the most effective ways is to gain practical experience as a student is through internships, volunteering, or side projects. Pursuing a relevant degree or certification in project management can also help, as can building a professional network by attending industry events, connecting with professionals in the field, and joining relevant professional organizations. Reading and educating oneself on the latest trends, techniques, and best practices in project management is also important. Additionally, developing strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills will be helpful in building a successful career as a Project Manager.

Essential skills for a Project Manager include strong leadership and decision-making abilities, excellent communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills, the ability to effectively manage and prioritize tasks and resources, knowledge of project management methodologies and tools, strong organizational and planning skills, the ability to handle and mitigate risk and conflict, financial and budget management expertise, and adaptability and flexibility. A Project Manager needs to be a strong leader who can make sound decisions, communicate effectively with team members, stakeholders, and clients, and has a good understanding of the project management process.

Learning from your failures and using them as opportunities for growth is the key.

Starting a career can be challenging, and it's normal to feel discouraged at times. To help combat these feelings, it's important to set achievable and realistic goals and celebrate your successes, no matter how small. Surrounding yourself with supportive people who believe in you and your aspirations is also important, as is seeking mentorship and guidance from professionals in your desired field. Focusing on your passions and interests, and seeking out opportunities that align with them, can also help to keep you motivated and engaged in your career journey. Finally, taking care of your mental and physical health and not being afraid to ask for help when needed is critical to avoiding burnout and staying on track with your career goals.

This story was written in the Spring 2023 semester. See John’s LinkedIn for updates on his career journey.

Title: Coordinator, People and Culture
Company: Invictus Accounting Group LLP
Industry: Accounting

My current work in Human Resources is exactly what I was looking for when restarting my career after moving to Canada. During the last 14 months in my role, I was able to learn a lot and progressively get more responsibilities, and was promoted to the Coordinator position.

I looked for roles that would match with what I was interested in doing.
My strategy was to search for an entry level position where I could learn about the Canadian job market and its particularities, so I could learn and redirect my efforts accordingly to grow as an HR professional.
I applied and connected with the recruiters on LinkedIn through a personalized message introducing myself and mentioning the reasons I believe I could be a good fit for that position. I created a spreadsheet where I added every position I applied for, so I could keep track of my applications and follow up if needed or check the details in case they call me for a quick chat before the interview.

Meaningful connections could help you in many different situations.
Networking is crucial for your professional life, not only to get a new job, in my opinion. You will always need people, so meaningful connections could help you in many different situations throughout your career. I believe networking is part of our lives since we start our professional careers, and it will never end.

Always add a personal touch when telling your “Tell Me About yourself” story!
I would start writing a paragraph and polish it according to the situation or who I am presenting to, highlighting what I consider relevant for each situation and giving examples when possible. Recruiters are not interested in your entire life, so I believe a crafted message according to your audience is always applicable and makes it more interesting. I always try to add some personal touch so recruiters will remember me for something memorable that I mentioned.

This story was written in the Spring 2023 semester. See Juliana's LinkedIn for updates on her career journey.

Title: Strategic Planning and Corporate Development Manager
Company: Innovation Networks
Industry: IT

My career goals have evolved throughout the years, from being a lawyer in my home country to transitioning into the IT industry. My professional goals are to make a difference in the community and lead by example, which is something that I am able to do in my current role.

Be open to new connections
I would say that my biggest strategy was to be curious. I attended multiple events throughout my time in school including some at Langara and other volunteer, community, Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, etc. I always searched for job fairs and overall interesting events happening and went to as many as I could. However, none of it is worth the effort unless you open yourself up to actually talk with people. The key strategy here was build new connections. I would not narrow down my audience, but rather try to learn more about anyone crossing my way. That really helped me not only meet more people but to hear different stories and get ideas, feel inspired and bridge connections. My biggest tip is: don’t let your immediate goal limit your relationships. You might be going to an event looking for a job and end up meeting someone that can be a wonderful mentor or your best friend. Go ahead and make that connection, help that next person. I truly believe that life will often surprise you if you allow yourself to receive insights from the not-so-obvious places… I was not looking for a job in IT, but here I am, working as a manager in an IT company! Sometimes, that person you just met cannot give you what you were looking for, but there are other ways they can add value to your life, so go ahead and further develop a relationship anyway.

Never say no to opportunities and let people around you know your potential.
In 2019, I had 7 jobs. It was like a rollercoaster of emotions. Before landing at Innovation Networks, I was on “survival mode”. To start, I was not sure which career path to pursue and experimenting different things was a big part of the goal behind jumping from one job to another, along with different volunteer jobs. My first job, like many other international students, was an entry-level part-time position. However, within less than 3 months at the Save-On-Foods Customer Service desk, I was moved into the office to work with payroll and reconciliation. This was my strategy from the beginning: never say no to any opportunities, while always letting everyone around me understand my potential. From there, I continued applying to jobs with either a better schedule or better pay and building my network. It was at a Career Fair at Langara where I met my current employer, who did not have any position that matched my resume at that time. However, we kept talking about how promising the IT industry is, and later on, I was invited to an interview.

We all have lots of skills that are transferable.
The process of transitioning from industry to job was challenging at the beginning because I had to learn the concepts and processes. But the truth is that we all have lots of skills that are transferable. Being in the leadership team now, it is impressive to see the difference between an employee that needs very specific and detailed instructions to be able to perform a task and another one that is able to gather the training and skills already provided, combined with company and customer’s interests to come up with solutions even to problems that are new.

Your course projects can count as professional experience too.
When I was interviewed for my current job, I was asked if I had experience working with social media. I am not from a marketing background, but I had a course at Langara where I was tasked to create a social media plan for my employer at the time. I showed the plan and said that although I did not have formal education or extensive experience, I could learn and help the company with whatever social media needs they had. One year later, my interviewer (who became my boss) and I had a full Marketing and Sales Department running. I am not sure if I would have gotten the job if I simply said “Sorry, I don’t have any digital marketing certifications or previous work experience...”

Be honest, do not underestimate your strengths and your network.
Be honest. People can tell when you are lying, so learn what your strengths are, have good (and authentic) examples to demonstrate that, and get a good sense of the company too. They need to be a match for you as much as you need to be a match for them. Be resilient and do not underestimate your achievements and strengths! You are not starting from zero, your experience can be a lot more meaningful than you think. Develop your strengths and pick your fights with your weaknesses – progress over perfection, always. Also, network and go to as many events as you can, especially if they have the opportunity of participating as a volunteer. Looking back, I would have worked better on prioritizing goals and would been more patient and kinder to myself. It is not necessarily a regret because all the challenges made me grow professionally and personally, but the cost (not taking care of my physical, mental and spiritual health) was definitely high. The most important lessons in this journey were definitely these: you are stronger than you believe and your efforts are worthy when they take you one step closer to your dreams.

This story was written in the Spring 2023 semester. See Lais’s LinkedIn for updates on her career journey.

Title: Supply Chain Manager
Company: Vorum
Industry: Orthotics and Prosthetics

I can say that everything has aligned perfectly for me. My goal was to be able to apply what I learned in the Supply Chain and Logistics program, slowly, but surely, work my way up the ladder, and eventually land a senior management position in X number of years. I'm fortunate enough to be progressing quite nicely, ahead of the goals I set right after I graduated.

Have a purposeful approach when looking for jobs.
I always start by asking two questions: a) Does the company align with my core values? For example, companies that advocate a good cause or companies that are eco-friendly.; and b) Will the role align with my strengths and core competencies?

I see and define networking as the act of establishing and keeping relationships.
Start with your classmates, your instructors, and your program coordinators. Then, build and expand through co-workers. I can attest to the importance of networking as I got my first two full-time jobs from referrals by my classmates in my program.

Before going into any interview, put together a clear and concise story about yourself.
Not too long (as to bore your interviewer) and not too short (as to make your interviewer wonder).

Key points for your “Tell Me About Yourself” story are:

• 1 to 2 sentence for your personal introduction.
• 3 to 6 sentences about where are you currently working and what do you do?
• 3 to 6 sentences about the job prior (if any) to your current job
• 5 to 10 sentences about your previous experience outside of Canada (if applicable)
• The last bullet is especially most important for international students.
  • The most important step is the first step. Whether it's an online interview or in-person, the first impression you give your interviewers is very important as it sets the tone. Look the interviewer in the eye. Smile. Beam with confidence. So always have this in mind.

This story was written in the Spring 2023 semester. See Lawrence's LinkedIn for updates on his career journey.

Title: Manager, Power PMO
Company: MNP Digital
Industry: Digital

My Bachelor’s was in Architecture and Urban Planning. After some years working as an Architect, I became a construction Project Manager. After finishing my program at Langara, I found a job as a Junior Developer. Then, after a year and a half as a Junior Developer, I felt I was ready to invest in Project Management in the technology field. I knew the knowledge I gained as a Developer would help me become a better technology Project Manager. My current work provides me with experience at the top management level which will keep guiding me into the operational management side of the business.

Networking is the key.
I was passionate about technology since I was a kid. Moving to Canada to study was my opportunity to explore this side of me. I came to study web development at Langara and during the program, I was fascinated by front-end development and people’s connection to technology. Just like any other student, I started working part-time in the retail industry to gain customer service experience and improve my communication skills. Entering the Canadian market as a Junior Developer allowed me to explore these interests and also to discover more about myself. It was networking that helped me land my first job.

My first job as a Web Developer came from being a SWAP student at Langara. In my first full-time job as a Developer, a friend from Langara who finished the same program as me two terms before and one of the instructors at Langara referred me to the position. When I decided it was time to change, I sent out a lot of resumes but received fewer interview requests. It is important to prepare your resume and align your skills and strategies. When preparing for an interview, I recommend students practice a lot. The beginning will not be easy, but after some time you will feel more comfortable and natural when discussing your experiences and abilities. Also, research the company and position beforehand so that you can understand what they are looking for, and prepare accordingly.

Besides the referral for my first job, I was already applying and looking for an opportunity. Then when I decided it was time to move on to a new challenge, I had to spend four months applying for jobs until I got an offer that I accepted. It is very stressful to look for a job. I learned a lot from it. My biggest challenge was adapting my resume to each application. In the beginning, I used to send the same resume for all applications, and I was not receiving feedback. Once I started adapting (targeting) accordingly to the job I was applying for, I received a lot of interview invites.

Find someone to become your mentor.
Your college colleagues or instructors can be your next push to your first job in the field. If you can find someone that can mentor you, it will be extremely useful. It can be a friend that is and experienced developer or a co-worker who is happy to support you. I know it is not easy to find this person, but if you have someone like that in your network, make sure you get some support and feedback. Another piece of advice is to remember that being a Junior Developer is hard, you are still learning. Do not underestimate yourself. Before accepting the offer for my second job, I refused two different jobs because I knew they were not the right ones. Remember to consider your interests and your future goals when you accept a new offer.

This story was written in the Spring 2023 semester. See Liz’s LinkedIn for updates on her career journey.

Title: Customer Account Manager
Company: Hootsuite
Industry: Software Management

I am at the place I always wanted to be when it comes to my career, but it took lots of work, detours and dead ends to get here. My non-linear career path allowed me to wear many hats and acquire a vast range of skills. The lack of specialization and years of experience may be a deal breaker for many companies out there, but Hootsuite looked at it differently.

If you want to build meaningful connections, it's important that both parties provide value.
Networking means building connections with other professionals. It is important because it leads to increased visibility, a stronger support network, more impactful connections that can open up new employment opportunities and improved business growth for those with entrepreneurial aspirations. You stand to benefit from networking no matter what stage of your career you’re in.

Leveraging your network is crucial.
Learn from the wins and mistakes of others and you can gather info on specific industries, companies, roles and how their recruitment process works. Referral from your connection can open doors, land you an interview, and also get you closer to the job offer. It's also important to be patient and stay positive because job hunting can take a month but it can also take a year.

Become a Doer!
Say yes to as many opportunities as you can. You will learn so much in the process about yourself, your likes and dislikes, your passions, strengths and weaknesses, you will learn a ton about others too. And this is also how you start gaining valuable experience. All this acquired knowledge will serve you in the long run. If the opportunity doesn't come knocking, build the door.

It’s 100% OK to have no idea who you are and what you want.
You are not supposed to have these answers yet. Put yourself out there and change your perspective on failure. I started calling setbacks "falling down”. When something doesn't go the way you planned, it's falling down. You pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and you try again. If you want to learn, to gain experience, to grow, to succeed, you will need to embrace falling down.

This story was written in the Spring 2023 semester. See Martina's LinkedIn for updates on her career journey.

Title: Communications & Special Projects
Company: Town Hall Brands
Industry: Marketing Agency

I knew that I wanted my work to be something I am excited about, something that makes me want to get up in the morning, and something that challenges and allows me to continuously learn and grow.

My current work with Town Hall Brands is just that – I get to work in a creative role with a small-but-mighty team in the fun, ever-evolving food and beverage industry. Most importantly, this role gives me the option and flexibility to work remotely or in their Mount Pleasant office.

I said “yes” to any opportunity presented
In the early stages of my career, I said “yes” to any opportunity presented that had the potential to further my career, whether that was a volunteer role at a local conference or flying to Toronto to network at the Great Canadian Sales Competition. Not only did this expose me to the world of marketing and the many possible career paths in the industry, it helped me build my network with industry professionals which led to more opportunities – like a domino effect.

Networking to me is the act of making connections and building relationships
With likeminded peers, industry professionals and potentially employers. The Vancouver marketing community is close-knit, which means the more you put yourself out there attending industry events, social gatherings and volunteering with relevant organizations, the more you increase visibility and build a positive reputation within the community. It’s also a great way to gain confidence, exchange knowledge, learn about opportunities, and even make friends!

Come prepared – do your due diligence and research before stepping foot into the interview

• Look up the organization’s website, social media channels, and recent news articles and take notes.
• Practice responses to common interview questions such as “Tell me about yourself” and “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”
• Prepare 2-3 questions to ask the interviewer at the end of the interview – they can be about the role, the organization, etc.

This story was written in the Spring 2023 semester. See Melody's LinkedIn for updates on her career journey.

Title: Project Coordinator
Company: Vancouver Coastal Health
Industry: Healthcare

I was always excited about projects and leadership. While studying at the Langara, I had this great opportunity to meet incredible individuals who inspired me to a project management role. In addition, I had this opportunity to have my Work Experience Term at the college, which involved in a tremendously massive project (Workday ERP Implementation) that was the stepping stone in my career in Project Management in Canada.

I realized how project management resonate with my skills and interests.

I was a Project Engineer in my previous life that is more focused on the engineering requirements and designing phase of the project. However, project management is more comprehensive and looks at the project from the above, and integrates different stages and works with subject expert matters, functional managers, and a more extensive range of stakeholders. At Langara, within the ERP implementation project, I had the opportunity to engage with many professionals in various fields, specifically project management office specialists, and that helped me to realize how project management resonate with my skills and interests, and also where I need to develop my skills, namely leadership, technical skills and business management side of the work. Thus, I started to plan for the requirements to become a Project Manager through various sources such as online learning and, later on, working as a Project Coordinator to get more in touch with the project management setting.

Most goals, short or long-term will need a strategy to be met.
I learned this from the Project Management concept of agility, where you create a vision board of the product, you are going to make showing different stages and times where different functionality will be added to the product in each release until the final product is ready to the market. I implemented the same idea in my personal life as I believe most goals we set no matter if they’re long-term or short-term, will need a strategy to be met. I broke down my goals to smaller projects with a tangible/intangible benefits and results, required tasks, risks, and opportunities, and included the people as stakeholders on my path. Creating a vision board and a roadmap is very beneficial for me to look at the path from above and have a quick high-level plan.

We can learn from others’ experiences.
As we meet new people we can learn from their experiences. I learned this through various volunteering and networking events I attended and still attend. Gaining a tremendous amount of knowledge; especially because when we are students, people will be more ardent to share their experiences and lesson learned, by which you can compare and gain more insight into your future career. I was part of Langara's Project Management Club (PMC) and did a lot of networking on LinkedIn, where I had the opportunity to have informational interviews with a couple of professionals and collected valuable advice. That helped me reflect on my personality, values and goals so I could find the best fit for my future career.

Also, learning and then implementing all the resources presented and available at the college, including EXPE courses assisted me in my career planning and how I can tailor my skills toward my career goals.

I still network religiously and encourage students and friends to do the same. We live in a highly social world where many individuals with different skills and knowledge can save us precious time rather than experiencing everything ourselves. Utilizing other individuals' experiences, learning from them, giving back, and paying it forward is my mantra. Being a student in Canada and Vancouver is an excellent opportunity. My suggestion is, besides studying the courses, to utilize all the resources at the College that are included in your tuition. Therefore, my tips are straightforward: attend Langara's career fair events, build your LinkedIn profile, join networking sessions, volunteer, learn about different cultures, learn about yourself, your skills, and desires, increase your self-awareness, benchmark with your career of choice, and ultimately, learn planning first, then plan for your future career.

This story was written in the Spring 2023 semester. See Navid’s LinkedIn for updates on his career journey.

Title: Enterprise Account Executive
Company: Thinkific
Industry: Educational Technology

As an Enterprise Account Executive at Thinkific, I am focused on building relationships with larger organizations and helping them develop customized e-learning solutions that fit their specific needs. I work with clients to help them understand the potential ROI of implementing a Thinkific solution, educate them on industry trends, and solve their core challenges.

Transitioning from College into a full-time job can be a “cultural shock.”
I joined the Leaders of Tomorrow program to connect and network with like-minded individuals and learn from other professionals on different career paths. This is a fantastic program that allows you to network and meet like-minded peers. The most valuable lesson I received from Leaders of Tomorrow is a thorough understanding of how the corporate worlds functions. Transitioning from College into a full-time job can be a “cultural shock” for everyone, but I am glad that I spent my time wisely in this program. This allowed me to prepare for this change and tackle a new chapter of my life with a better state of mind.

Truth be told, I just wanted a job.
In 2016, when I was applying for my job, truth be told, I just wanted a job. I had no idea what the company did and had zero understanding of what they were talking about on their website. I asked for help from my professor and we later sat down to research the company thoroughly. This helped me personalize my resume, ask smart questions during the interview to understand the role, and update my LinkedIn profile. The next month, I got the job and created a wonderful five-year career with that company.

I started my career in tech as a Customer Success Associate at another company where I managed a handful of clients to ensure they were satisfied with our platform. After 1.5 years, I was promoted to Customer Success Manager and after another year as a Customer Success Manager, I was offered to transition into Sales as a Strategic Account Manager. I succeeded in that role for about 2 years and transitioned to an Enterprise Account Executive. On average, you need at least 3-4 years of experience before landing an Enterprise Account Executive job. However, some companies sell highly complex products and require at least 10+ years of experience.

Connect with customers and help solve their problems.
In my day-to-day, I am responsible for managing relationships with established businesses and enterprise-level customers. Thinkific is an online course platform that allows individuals and businesses to create online courses and offer online education to their target audiences. We work with clients who are looking to implement customers, employee, and partner education programs as well as those interested in using online education as a lead-generation engine or driving revenue for their organization through course sales. The top skills I believe are vital in my position are: sales expertise, communication, relationship management, business acumen, strategic thinking, collaboration, analytical skills, adaptability, leadership, and customer focus.

Network with like-minded individuals and be authentic.
My number one career strategy was to network. Networking is not just about collecting business cards or LinkedIn connections. It's about building meaningful relationships to help you achieve your professional goals.

My number one recommendation is to be authentic. Don't try to be someone that you are not. Authenticity is critical in building meaningful connections. Be yourself and show genuine interest in others. The same concept applies to sales. The more you show interest in your customer, the more likely they will buy from you. Be naturally curious, and if that is too hard, ask basic open-ended questions on how they landed their role, what skills were required to land their first job, and interview tips. In addition, ask them about their life, such as their favourite vacation spot, if they have any pets, etc. This will show that you genuinely want to get to know the person without asking anything in return.

Learn active-listening.

Listen actively to understand their perspective, interests, and goals when meeting someone new. This will help you build rapport and establish trust and guide the conversation. Active listening is not easy, and you will often find yourself thinking about what you need to ask next instead of listening to what the person is saying. Use LinkedIn to connect with the person you just spoke to. Leave a personalized note with a few points you discussed with each connection. If not, you can just follow-up via email to make sure they remember you. Do your homework. Find out what the event is about and why people are attending this event. I would recommend reading an industry article. For example, if I attend an e-Learning conference, I would ensure I read about the latest trends in the e-Learning industry, so I have some talking points.

You do not have to conquer the world in a day.
Fail often, but recover quickly. I encourage you to meet like-minded individuals and meet regularly, ask for advice, and use the resources you have today wisely. Do not stress out if you do not have that “passion” feeling for a specific career/industry. You do not have to feel like you need to conquer the world in one day. Little wins compound to huge results over time, just make sure to never stop learning. I am happy how everything has turned out for me and I have no regrets. However, what would have made my experience even better is attending more networking events and getting more involved in the community.

This story was written in the Spring 2023 semester. See Nick’s LinkedIn for updates on his career journey.

Title: Program Manager
Company: Electronic Arts
Industry: Digital Interactive Entertainment

I have always wanted to work with sports and entertainment, and my current position at Electronic Arts lets me experience the best of both worlds. As a program manager, I manage competitive gaming leads in America and handle various client accounts.

Network and connect with the right people.
I put myself out there and focused on the companies I wanted to work for. I made sure to be up to date on their recruitment updates by accessing their career webpage every week to see if there were new positions aligned with what I wanted. It is also important to research the company, position, and possibly the recruiter ahead of time when preparing for a job interview. This helps you adjust your answers that fit the organization’s conversational style. The best sites to go to are company websites and LinkedIn.

Focus on your goal.
Creating my own SMART goals and then breaking them down into smaller and achievable objectives made me advance to a much steadier pace. Through these smaller goals, I have gained valuable experiences that helped me throughout my career journey. My experience in volunteering, going to the Career Centre, signing up for 1 on 1 career sessions, and attending the career workshops and events on campus helped me understand and prepare myself for the Vancouver job market. All my decisions brought me to where I am right now.

This story was written in the Fall 2022 semester. See Rodolfo's LinkedIn for updates on his career journey.

Title: Homestay Coordinator
Company: Langara College
Industry: Education

My work aligns perfectly with my primary goal – changing careers. So after getting experience in an entry-level position, I challenged myself to get more responsibilities and got into my current job. Since my goal is to get into a management role, this move makes perfect sense.

I tried different things.
When I started my studies, I was looking for a change in my career. At that time, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. So, I tried different things.

The experience of working as a student at Langara made me realize that education could be something fun. So, I did informational interviews with professionals working at Langara and other places (UBC, SFU, and Douglas), which helped me figure out the next steps.
Being on both sides is familiar and different. It’s great to work on campus and to be able to see so many students every day. It always reminds me of my good times at the College.

Networking is about connecting with people.
Not only to learn more about job opportunities but also to get advice, mentorship, share experiences and foster relationships. I aimed to find jobs aligned with my career goals. So, I tailored my applications to relevant positions only, focusing on quality instead of quantity. Networking was important, too. It helped that I was still a Langara student looking to enter the post-secondary industry.

This story was written in the Spring 2023 semester. See Rodrigo's LinkedIn for updates on his career journey.

Title: Automation Scientist
Company: AbCellera
Industry: Biotech

I wanted my career path to be engaging and challenging and my job as an Automation Scientist allows me to work closely with scientists in the pursuit of discovering life-saving therapeutics.

I allotted one week per resume to understand the science each company was doing. 
While I was a student, I already wanted to step foot in the industry and I did this through volunteering in laboratories, doing my co-op, running my eight-month research project, and consistently networking with professionals in the field. While applying for jobs, I allotted one week per resume to learn and understand the science each company was doing and tailor-fit my cover letter and resume. 

Practice answering commonly asked questions like “Tell me about yourself.”
Whenever I was invited for an interview, I made sure to research the company beforehand, what they are up to, and their recent successes. I also allot time to prepare and practice how I will answer commonly asked questions like “Tell me about yourself.” 

It is perfectly okay to ask questions about your education and career. 
You need to think about it now since it is a factor that will lead to a rewarding career. It is okay to ask for help and advice from people around you. I highly encourage students to develop their communication and writing skills too. Events where you can practice your public speaking and networking, are great places to start.

This story was written in the Fall 2022 semester. See Roshan's LinkedIn for updates on his career journey.

Title: Advanced Support & Recovery Specialist
Company: ICBC
Industry: GovernmentToday, I work as an Advanced Support and Recovery Specialist at the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) where I utilize my medical knowledge to best support customers who are recovering from severe and catastrophic injuries suffered in motor vehicle accidents, until they are able to return to the highest level of function possible. I am also able to use my experience in disability and return-to-work to develop a program, in cooperation with employers, to gradually have them back in their jobs.

When I heard in the radio that ICBC was shifting to a No-Fault system, I immediately identified myself with all the experience I had as a medical expert in the judicial court, that I could personally relate with the company’s new vision and mission and that I could make a great impact in my interview.

Target the positions that you want and tailor your resume.
While being a student at Langara, I focused primarily on EXPE classes and tried to understand my skills to find ways to best describe them and make them transferable to other types of jobs. Practiced writing resumes and cover letter until I became good at it. Worked on my LinkedIn account to align with my resume, and carefully searched for job opportunities that would best suit my experience.

My job application strategy was to apply for just a few job postings, targeting only the positions that I wanted and that I believed I had the best qualifications for. Then, I would learn all I could about the employer and focus on the job requirements to best prepare my resume and cover letter. ICBC and WorkSafeBC were my only two targets, so it was easier for me to tailor my resume to their expectations.

Networking is all about being remembered!
Create meaningful relationships and display your attributes in a natural way. Reach out to anyone that works in a position that you aspire and ask for advice, because some of them will be delighted to help. Networking is to be out there, meeting people, be able to communicate well and share your thoughts and ideas in a meaningful way, so people will remember you. This is important because they will remember you if they need to recommend someone that would be suitable for a specific position.

This story was written in the Spring 2023 semester. See Sergio's LinkedIn for updates on his career journey.

Title: Domestic Marketing & Recruitment Assistant
Company: Langara College
Industry: Higher Education

I love being in academic environments as I used to be an assistant professor back in my home country. After finishing business school, I found interest in marketing and my current role as a Marketing Assistant at Langara College allows me to experience the best of both worlds.

Work on your professional branding.
As an international student, I made sure to make my presence known by volunteering in different departments and expanding my network within the college. I worked on my resume and cover letter with the help of the Co-op and Career Development Centre (CCDC), and by asking my native speaker friend to check my documents. I focused on my EXPE classes too and took advantage of booking one-on-one resume reviews with my instructor. I also checked out online resources on LinkedIn and Indeed to further expand my knowledge. Most importantly, I talked with the managers and let them know that I have the skills, and I am passionate about working in an academic setup. When preparing for an interview, I made sure to practice since it makes me feel more confident. I research the company, role, and requirements to tailor my answers based on the information I acquired. I also built connections by attending networking events, applying for different student work positions, and volunteering.

Be confident!
My tips for students to be successful in their job search are to attend CCDC workshops and events, work on their LinkedIn profiles, and network as much as possible. In the beginning, I was hesitant in exploring new careers because I did not feel confident, and I feel that I have lost many opportunities because of it. I could have had better positions and more self-esteem if I was not wrapped in my bubble of self-doubt. The workshops organized by the CCDC, my EXPE instructors, and my courses helped me a lot in building my confidence.

This story was written in the Fall 2022 semester. See Shadi's LinkedIn for updates on her career journey.

Title: Warehouse Manager
Company: Canadian Dry Storage
Industry: Warehousing and Storage

I started my career with a 5-year goal of getting a management position which I achieved last year when I was promoted to Warehouse Manager in October 2022 at Canadian Dry Storage. While studying at Langara, I was a Career Leader at the Co-op & Career Development Centre and I was part of the Leader of Tomorrow program; these experiences, helped me gain valuable connections and improve my professional branding.

Identify your goals and have a specific time set to achieve them.
Have a specific method to help you prioritize your tasks and categorize what is urgent and what is not. To be successful, you need to learn how to manage your time more efficiently; this will help you be productive and constantly improve yourself. Make a goal to know where you want to see yourself in 5 years and then start drafting tasks to achieve them. I wanted to be in a management position in 5 years after I joined my company, I realized that it was going to be in Operations. I kept on learning the procedures in warehouse operations and kept on asking questions whenever I had doubts. Communication skills and customer service are skills which can be used at any time and in all fields. I utilized my skills and experience gained through part-time jobs and my Co-op term working at Walmart as Customer Service Manager.

Do not be discouraged, keep working smart.
In the application process, it is important to adapt and target your resume and not to send a general resume to many employers. Keep working part-time, networking, or volunteering on campus and outside the campus. I am still in touch with my mentor from the Leaders of Tomorrow program to help me set my personal brand and practice my professional pitch. Focus on your strengths and work on your weaknesses. Learn from your mistakes and never be afraid of challenges. Keep in touch with your College and professional connections and if you need guidance, talk to your instructors, manager, family or friends. There are a lot of resources at Langara that can help you as well when you have a dilemma or you are stuck on something. Always be a team player and practice active listening because even someone at a junior level can bring great ideas to the table. Also, do not forget to talk to your parents, siblings, or friends at least once a day because this will help you to ease your mind.

Success does not come overnight
One of my biggest challenges was coming out of my comfort zone because I am an introvert. It took me some time to get active with networking and engage in conversations. Being a Career Leader at the Co-op & Career Development Centre made a difference when it comes to networking, leadership, effective communication, time management, how to pitch, and branding yourself. Be patient, flexible, and stay motivated. Think clearly about your professional goals, write some plans, and keep yourself open to opportunities you might not have thought of. If you ever feel low, try to do things that refresh you. Talk to your friends, family, mentors, and keep going. Stay focused on what you want to achieve.

This story was written in the Spring 2023 semester. See Simrandeep’s LinkedIn for updates on his career journey.

Title: Senior Procurement Officer
Company: WorkSafeBC
Industry: Government

While planning out my career, it was important for me to have realistic and achievable goals. I was constantly looking at and reading job postings even if I was not applying at the moment. This helped me understand the kind of candidate the company is looking for and the market for a certain job.

Give the best you can in everything you do!
My career strategy was to always be seen, do the best I can, learn always, and give my best in everything I do. Everyone notices you when you work with care and attention. I made sure to focus on people as well by asking for and understanding their needs. If you help people, you will see that when it is your time to ask for help, the deed will be reciprocated. By the time I do get invited for an interview, I try to be calm and treat it as a professional conversation between colleagues. I made sure to speak louder than just concepts by giving examples may it be work, school, or life-related.

Work. Volunteer. Rinse. Repeat.
Do your best in your work, and try to volunteer as much as you can without expecting anything in return. These experiences will help you build your character and create connections with the people around you. When everything feels too much, give yourself time to rinse and relax before going back to the grind again. In my experience, I chose to focus on studying and not work during my first year in Canada. Although everything went fine, I think doing so was not the best choice because the more you work, the more connections you have, and the more you will know about the marketplace.

Those that are not seen, are not remembered.
Make yourself remembered. Send a message to former colleagues, instructors, and people that you asked or asked you for coffee. Those that are not seen, are not remembered, so always try to keep the relationship alive.

This story was written in the Fall 2022 semester. See Tiago's LinkedIn for updates on his career journey.

Title: Buyer
Company: Creation Technologies
Industry: Supply Chain Management

My job as a buyer gives me the opportunity to work on projects and support internal and external stakeholders. As a buyer, I am able to help solve customer issues and fill out their needs, as well as work on electrical components. It is entirely new for me, but I am up for the challenge. My work aligns with my career goals of gaining more Canadian work experience, running big projects, and expanding my network.

I started on entry-level jobs when I arrived in Canada.
I had many years of work experience in my home country, but when I arrived in Canada, I started on entry-level jobs to get Canadian experience. Afterwards, I focused on positions aligned with my background. Now, I am working on my skills to help boost my career. While applying for jobs, my first step was to filter the job posts in which I could fulfill at least 60%-70% of the requirements before revising my resume and cover letter. I did this every weekday after working for about two to three hours.

We are not robots. Unexpected issues can happen.
When going to an interview, my first tip is to be yourself and do your best. Do not be afraid if not everything is perfect. Recruiters are people like you, and they will understand that. Next, be prepared for traditional and behavioral questions that are usually similar from one interview to another.

Examples of these questions are:

• Tell me about a time you worked under pressure.
• Tell me about a time you had the opportunity to lead
• Tell me about a time when you encountered a difficult situation with a customer

Lastly, read the job post, and think about how your experiences will fit. You are on the interview to be a solution for the company’s problem. It is essential to demonstrate that your background is a great fit.

Trust the process.
Looking back, something I would have done differently is to be more confident of my past experiences and build my network sooner. So my advice for students would be to not be afraid to apply for your dream job or company. You can be rejected many times, but the practice will help you to develop your skills for your future.

This story was written in the Fall 2022 semester. See Vanessa's LinkedIn for updates on her career journey.

Title: Sales Engagement Consultant
Company: Skaled Consulting
Industry: Business Consulting

In my current role, I am able to consult executives on their market strategy and implement changes across their sales department. This allows me to accrue the experience that may help me become an independent leadership consultant later on.

Networking leads to unforeseen opportunities!
Networking is connecting with people who share the same interest in the context of the event. Thus, it may lead to new insights, collaboration, mentorship, and other unforeseen opportunities. This helped me when I was looking for opportunities. Since I applied to work for start-ups, I contacted the CEO directly. I knew why I wanted the job, persisted in following up, and provided value throughout the process (e.g giving feedback on their website, and recommending resources relevant to their industry).

My tips on how to prepare your “Tell Me About Yourself” story:

• Research the company and job you applied for and figure out: a) Why I want to work for this company, b) What they're looking to accomplish through this job, and 3) What skills are needed for it
• Identify what values, goals, accomplishments, and overall experience resonate the most with the points above
• Craft a story in a format that emphasizes that
• Cut it in "half" by removing any fluff and fillers
• Bonus steps if this job really sticks out:
  
  • Practice in front of a mirror
  • Practice in front of a friend, then a mentor
  • Adjust the story based on the feedback

This story was written in the Spring 2023 semester. See Vitaly's LinkedIn for updates on his career journey.

Title: Director of Accounting
Company: Magnum Projects
Industry: Real Estate Marketing

I’ve always wanted to be the ultimate decision maker in the finance department and sit on Boards of Directors for NPO boards. I’ve achieved my goals by being the Controller with UAPICBC and later on Director of Accounting with Magnum and sitting on the boards of Dunbar Community Centre and BC Borstal Association. I enjoy having a direct impact on business operations and being a storyteller of the financials. I also started my own CPA firm in 2021 with the hope to sharpen my business acumen and create value by boosting profitability for my clients.

Each financial statement tells a story about the company.
On a higher level, each financial statement tells a story about the company and the year. Is it debt heavy? Is there too much cash not being re-invested? Is it accumulating losses over the past few years? Is it liquid (enough asset to cover its liabilities)? You will find answers by calculating some ratios. On the operational level, people without a financial background look at the financial statements without understanding what it means to their department/team. When you break down the financials and apply the cost allocation method you learned in Management Accounting course, you will see what the biggest profit/loss driver is. From there, you can advise the senior management to allocate 80% of the company resources on the 20% profit drivers that make up majority of the company revenue, not the other way around. That's the general idea, the 80%/20% rule varies for different companies. For the loss drivers (projects that are not self-sufficient), it is worth conversations with senior management to review resource allocation and plan on cost reduction. Don't be the only one in the company who knows what is going on financially, be prepared to bring the "story" with you and tell it in senior management/board meetings to help with better decision making.

Apply for jobs that you only meet 60-70% of the job qualifications, the remaining percentage represents opportunities for growth.
The interview is a selling process. You are selling your personality, your experience and skills. The more you do it/review it, the better you are at it. One question I love – “what’s your biggest weakness?” How you convey that message is important. To me, it is not “weakness,” it is something I am trying to be better at. My current answer to that question is “I’m currently working to be more patient, meditation and journaling is my daily practice to make that happen and I’m seeing progressions.” You are not going to know exactly how to do everything in that job posting, so have some examples of how you are a quick learner.

I have always see myself as a company.
I always see myself as a company and establish visions, missions and mini KPIs (community involvement, entrepreneurship, career progression, compensation package, and donations etc.), to track my progress. I review them quarterly to make sure I’m on the right track. When my company does my performance review, I always see it as a two-way street. I would ask myself what my vision and missions are and if my role fits into my vision and missions. Does the company have room to facilitate the growth I expect in the timeframe I set for myself? Always ask for a better title/compensation package – you will never get what you don’t ask for. Even if you did not get what you asked for, by getting the rejections early on helps you pivot your path quickly and be on to your next goal.

Also, as a student, do as many Co-op terms as possible. I was had two part time jobs as cashier and sales associate when I was full time studying in Langara, my biggest dream/ambition at the time was “find an office job that allows me to sit down to do my work.” When I heard about Co-op, the level of support and the amount of preparation the Co-op & Career Department has for its students amazed me. I told myself “I’m not going to leave Langara until I find an office job”. Over the years, I have heard a lot of stories about how students graduate into unemployment, I always wonder if they did any Co-op? From each of my Co-op placements I was extended offers for permanent position, so I was not worried about unemployment when I graduated. The experiences accumulated before I graduated allowed me to focus on career growth rather than find a stable job when I graduated.

However, if I knew I was going to open my own practice, I would probably go into public practice. It's very challenging (and time consuming) to complete the CPA experience requirement through EVR (Experience Verification Route for industry accountant) comparing to PPR (Pre-approved Route for firm accountant). I do not regret the path I took as the compensation and work life balance I got in industry was better than my peers in public practice, I do think you will learn a lot more by working in a pre-approved accounting firm and the experience reporting would be so much easier. So, this is the suggestion I would give to students who are planning their CPA journey.

This story was written in the Spring 2023 semester. See Vivian’s LinkedIn for updates on her career journey.

Title: Commercialization Program Coordinator
Company: Praxis Spinal Cord Institute
Industry: Non for Profit

I wanted to have a career where I would sit on different sides of the table. Before working at the Commercialization team of Praxis, I had the experience of working in a start-up so I was dealing with the challenge and beauty of building a business from the ground up. Today, I’m working for a company that invests in and supports start-ups. By changing seats, I’ve learned not only the mentality and daily struggles of being a company that needs funds to prove its concept, but also now I’m understanding how investors think and how they make choices. Those experiences made my career compelling by being a professional who has diverse perspectives.

Strategies are what guides our decisions and they can change and adjust as we evolve.
I never had a specific company I wanted to work for, but I knew I wanted to do something related to education and seeing people and businesses transform over time. Not being focused on a specific company made me deeply focus when scanning every opportunity I got – does this opportunity align with my strategy?

Whatever career strategy you have – maybe for you is a certain company, or a certain title, or a certain pay, or like me, the meaningfulness of the job/work - just remember that strategies guide our decisions and they evolve, so don’t feel like you’re off track if a strategy you picked years ago does not align with who you are and what you want right now.

The power of a network is undeniable and it does prepare us for the real world.
Networking is hard but it is crucial. It challenges our vulnerabilities, it can make us feel exposed or pressured to have something to say or to think on our feet. Building a powerful network not only will help you to find a job but it increases your confidence, make you feel less alone, question your beliefs and it will present to you what others see in you – a perspective you wouldn’t have if you didn’t connect with others.

Every ‘no’ is a redirection, not a receipt of your worth as a professional or as a person.
Before an interview, take the time to do a deep research into the company, and the latest news related to that business and go to the interview with a clear response on why what you know about them relates to who you are and what you want.

This story was written in the Spring 2023 semester. See Yasmin's LinkedIn for updates on her career journey.