
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.

In the early stages try out as many things you can, you never know what you will end up liking.

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.

Look for jobs that interest you and show initiative by applying even if you do not meet all the requirements.

Networking is key for helping you continually develop and learn.

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.

Every company hires to solve an issue they have, so when doing an interview, showcase that you are capable of solving their problem.

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.

Do not be afraid to ask the interviewer to repeat the question if you do not understand it clearly.

Networking means putting yourself out there for the world to see.

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.

It is so important to network because it can connect you with potential job leads, a mentor, or mentee.

Never underestimate the power of networking; it is the reason why I secured a full-time role even before I graduated.

My strategy at Langara College was meeting as many industry professionals as I could through all the extracurricular activities I was doing.

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.

Try and surround yourself with those who bring out the best in you – supportive colleagues and friends, or strong competition.

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.

Highlight your skills when answering the “Tell Me About Yourself” question.

I think the most common challenge for new grads or students is the lack of experience by projects.

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.

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.

Do not click the “fast apply” button and expect to magically land a role.

Always send them thank you email and stay connected after the interview.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Whether it's an online interview or in-person, the first impression you give your interviewers is very important as it sets the tone.

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.

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.

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.

Authenticity is critical in building meaningful connections. Be yourself and show genuine interest in others.

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.

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.

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.

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.
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.

One of my biggest challenges was coming out of my comfort zone because I am an introvert.

Make yourself remembered. Send a message to former colleagues, instructors, and people that you asked or asked you for coffee.

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.

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.

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.

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.