Career Conversations — Knowledge Network & Simon Fraser University
Career Conversations - Knowledge Network & Simon Fraser University with Eden Chipperfield
Navigating the search for your first full-time job that matches your major & interests can be an overwhelming journey. Whether you are a freshman, transfer student or a soon-to-be-alum, we all go through a stage during our undergraduate years where we aimlessly stare at the laptop screens, not knowing where to start. Not to mention that one resume.docx that’s been piled up on top of million tabs, waiting to be revisited when the pressure to get a job finally kicks in. It’s a dreadful experience, and we all deserve someone to ask questions, seek help from, and get support—so let’s talk about it.
Career Conversations, a blog series newly launched by CMNSU, aims to provide co-op experience of Communication students and alumni in diverse sectors. Through conversation-based interviews, we aim to capture insights and tips that will help you to get your foot in the door in the various professional fields.
1. Can you tell us about your co-op experience?
I completed two co-ops at different organizations: the first as a Branding Marketing Assistant at Knowledge Network for eight months, and the second as a Recruitment and Engagement Assistant at Simon Fraser University for four months.
Knowledge Network - Branding Marketing Assistant: This was my first real experience in the professional industry, and I am happy to say I really found my stride in that position. It really affirmed that I was not only in the right degree—Communication, but also on the right path in my life, doing the tasks that represented exactly what I wanted to do. As the Branding Marketing Assistant, I curated lots of content for social media channels, including Facebook and Instagram, created ad campaigns through Meta, and drafted newsletters.
Simon Fraser University - Recruitment and Engagement Assistant: This position was a bit different from the first co-op. I worked in the recruitment sector of the School of Communication at SFU. My primary tasks involved visiting high schools and giving presentations on topics within Communication; for example, one topic was social media activism, discussing its pros and cons. The purpose was to inspire students to join the Communication program by explaining what the study of Communication entails, as many of them were unfamiliar with the program—just like me when I was in high school.
2. What are some major accomplishments you'd like to share from your co-op experiences?
Knowledge Network: I ran a campaign that I pioneered for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, which involved highlighting the specific queer content we had at Knowledge. As this was a newly launched project, I was responsible for reaching out to 50 different groups across BC and discussing the establishment of initial partnerships between Knowledge and various groups for queer content promotion. Through these outreach efforts and relationship-building via marketing and promotional content, I realized that I have marketing in my heart, and that this was a path I could pursue further.
Simon Fraser University: My biggest accomplishment was giving presentations to grades 10-12 who were unfamiliar with Communication, sharing insights on what the field has to offer. I was also able to improve my public speaking skills and learn how to effectively deliver information in an engaging and entertaining way to different age groups—in this case, high school students, who can be challenging as many find things not ‘cool’ anymore.
3. Any insights/key takeaways you learned through these co-op experiences?
1. When creating campaigns, don’t be afraid of using Google to learn new functions. I know this can sound really simple, but many people expect to be experts in everything once they graduate. That’s just not the case. LinkedIn Learning is great as well, but even doing a Google search for “how to set up Meta” or “how to navigate Meta Business Suite” can be a valuable asset. During my co-op term, there were times where I was unsure how to do certain things, and simply searching on Google helped. Admitting that your degree will not give you all the skills you need and realizing that you will have to educate yourself consistently helps you to improve and gain more skills throughout your work experience, especially in the marketing field where everything is constantly evolving.
Additionally, always have marketing plans that allow time for adjustments. When I had marketing plans, they were usually planned a few weeks or months in advance. This allowed us to adjust certain aspects of the campaigns without difficulty, giving us time to consider all the variables that could occur. It also gave us more time to start tasks over if we felt they wouldn’t work, enabling us to generate new ideas that were more effective.
2. In terms of recruitment, it’s similar to marketing; you always have to find new ways to attract your audience. What worked in 2020 will not work in 2022, and probably won’t work in 2024. It’s all about constantly evolving. You need to understand who you are presenting to and research on tactics that work—whether it is referencing a meme that’s popular during the time or a recent social event. If you only rely on what worked in the past, your efforts won’t be as effective. For example, during my recruitment position in 2022, many people were getting into podcasting, so I took the opportunity to talk about the podcast courses at SFU. This is an example of referencing current trends and tying them back to what you are offering. This was one of the valuable lessons I learned.
4. Were there any challenges or unexpected aspects of co-op that you have experienced?
The hardest challenge I dealt with was my own self-doubt. I have always been someone who consistently doubted myself, and the “imposter syndrome” was in full force upon starting my very first co-op term. I used to think that I wasn’t good enough for the position or that I am not the best fit for the job. However, what really helped me to change that perspective was realizing that the job I was doing is something I was truly passionate about. For example, one of my previous jobs prior to the co-op position was a receptionist position in the beauty industry. Although it was a good position, it wasn’t something I was truly passionate about. I was very passionate about marketing and online broadcasting, so being in that co-op position really opened the door for me and helped me overcome that imposter syndrome. I walked into the position not being 100% confident in myself, but then I realized that I was capable of doing the job because I made it that far. This realization was amazing.
That being said, the hardest part was knowing my self-worth and having the conversation to yourself to remind myself that although I can have doubting moments, I can’t let that drag me down. Knowing that you have strengths to overcome the self-doubt and say “No, I was selected for this position and I was chosen for this” is already self-validating, so it is important to go forward with that. It isn’t about recommending receiving praises from other people as your only form of validation, but about giving yourself validation and realizing, “yes you deserve this position and you are capable of achieving this”. This mindset really helps strengthen your self-confidence.
Additionally, it helps to get out of your comfort zone to overcome self-doubt. As much as it is important to understand that your doubts are valid, it’s equally important to take action to overcome them. Just sitting on your doubts will only make it worse and worse. If you are nervous about public speaking, challenge yourself to take an acting class for a day, or even start by giving small speeches in the mirror or making more eye contact with people. It doesn’t have to be a big step, but overcoming self-doubt starts with taking action.
5. How did your experience seeking a second co-op position differ from your first time, if at all?
For my second co-op, I went through the lightning round where you have a limited time to submit applications to possible positions. That being said, this made the application process a lot faster. While I was finishing my first co-op position, I applied for my next one and received a job offer the day after my interview. In terms of interviews, I would say it was also easier because I had a better idea of what to expect and practiced beforehand.
To discuss more in detail, the first round was definitely more difficult as it was my first time applying to professional jobs. It involved a lot of writing and editing cover letters, making sure each one was tailored to the specific company. This may not be everyone’s strategy but I chose 10 jobs that I really wanted to do and tailored my applications through research. By focusing on what I wanted, I was able to receive job offers based on that effort in researching. If you just do a cookie-cutter styled cover letter for 20 different jobs, it can be very obvious, and you might easily make spelling mistakes or sound flat. My biggest advice for cover letters would be to make sure you tailor it to the job you are applying for. Do not just do a cookie-cutter one because I promise you, it is very obvious. I have read several cover letters in the past, and it is obvious that it has been copy-pasted with two words being flipped out—employer’s name & position name. I know we are all guilty of it at one point, but always ensure the cover letter is tailored to the position you are applying for.
6. Any advice for successful interviews?
I heard a quote once that said, “No matter what job you are doing, be the best at it in the world”. For example, if you are a street sweeper, be the best street sweeper in the world. Another quote is, “Dress for the job you want, not the job you have”—I love this because this is what I try to follow. I will show up to any interview dressed to the nines because it shows you’ve made the effort. If you walk in and your shirt isn’t ironed or with a button undone, it can often say a lot about you. It can show a lack of care or commitment. So, when I do interviews, I dress in the best and most professional way to show I am the best at the position and that I take it seriously. This can already make a good impression on the interviewers.
Secondly, always bring your resume to your in-person interviews and hand it to the employer. This shows that you are ready.
Lastly, my biggest piece of advice is to recognize the people who might not be directly involved in the hiring process but who will be working around you. For example, when you walk into an office, you would first see a receptionist; say hi to them, introduce yourself, and tell them why you are there. Showing good gestures and respect already leaves a good impression, and this can positively affect your interview if the employer asks others how the candidate was, and they already have a good impression of you. There is so much more to an interview than just meeting the boss. If you only care about the boss and not your potential co-workers, that will read clearly. So, small gestures like holding the doors for others and making small conversations outside the interview are important parts of the whole job interview process.
7. What activities/involvement outside academic aspects do you feel were helpful in securing co-op positions?
When it comes to a resume, it is always important to show what else you have done besides academics. You don’t have to be working a full-time job or running a club, but it’s important to show that you are someone with experience outside of academics, even if it’s just volunteering. In my case, I always tried to be engaged in my community by being a Hive leader, writing for The Peak, and volunteering for CJSF 90.1FM Radio. I wanted to ensure my resume didn’t just reflect what I was doing at school, because at the end of the day, everyone’s doing a degree—it’s the matter of “how are you different from others”?
Non-academic experiences can also be great conversation pieces. If you only put your schoolwork on your resume, that’s only half of your story and you are not showing who you are; it’s just sharing what you are currently doing. If you are only doing school, talk about a class you love and put that on your resume. On my resume, I included CMNS 362 with Benjamin Andersonbecause I talked about all the quantitative work I did there, showing the employers that I know how to conduct research. In conclusion, even if you are just doing school and are looking for ways to get involved, amplify the parts that you would like to show and explain why it matters for the position you are applying for.
8. Any other involvements that you’d recommend?
If I had to recommend one type of non-academic involvement, I would 100% suggest joining a club. It shows that you are a team player and that you are passionate about something. For me, being part of the CMNSU taught me so much about being both a team player and a leader at the same time, and understanding the value of teamwork is essential when entering the workforce.
But once again, it all comes down to recognizing that “selling yourself is about amplifying the smallest parts of your life”. For example, taking the initiatives in group projects and organizing essays in advance shows that you are good at planning and organizing. Responding to messages in a timely manner shows punctuality. Never skipping classes shows reliability. Often, it’s these simple things that show you are committed and capable of doing something.
9. As you approach graduation, what are your plans for the future?
I am planning to attend BCIT in September for a two-year online journalism broadcasting program. Thanks to my degree, I realized that this is something I am really passionate about and want to continue pursuing. Additionally, this program will open up more opportunities for me, and I am excited to see what else I could do after completing it. The transition from SFU will be a big change, but it will also help me stack my resume. I believe it is important to constantly adapt and evolve, and really, with that mindset, journalism just made sense to me.
Furthermore, I have been really passionate about certain ways that journalists are viewed and framed in the 21st century. I want to take that and make a positive impact in this role, whether it is through providing a platform for those who haven’t had the opportunity to speak and share different sides of their stories. I want to be a part of that impactful change, and I believe BCIT will aid me in pursuing that goal.
Other factors that led me to pursue this program include The Peaks, where I was a news writer. This role fueled my ambition and passion for journalism. Additionally, a course I took, CMNS 432 Political Communication, Public Opinion and Political Marketing by Daniel Ahadi helped me understand how media framing is discussed. I can’t say there was a click moment with just one factor, but all these elements combined influenced my next step after SFU.
10. What advice would you give to undergraduate students, primarily to those who are starting their university years?
Get out of your comfort zone and try new things. People often think that university is all about parties and having freedom, but it’s also about setting up your career. Get involved with that club that you’ve been eyeing, and talk to your professor a bit more; maybe they can help you carve out your master’s plan if that’s the direction you want to go. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, and if you’re finding it difficult to do that, there are online communities that could help you with that as well, as long as you do the research.
This is also something that many people find it hard to learn, and I went through it myself: high school is very spoon-fed. They provide you different opportunities without you having to look for them, whereas in university, you have to find those opportunities yourself.
Additionally, be comfortable with being uncomfortable. If you don’t have a friend to go to a networking event with, try going by yourself. You are there to network with others, not with your friend. If you don’t like it and don’t find it your thing, that’s fine—you tried it. But you might find yourself learning a bit more and actually meeting new people because you’ve put yourself out there. If it’s not your thing, find different ways to achieve that, whether it’s joining different communities or doing a job. If you just want to go to school, your options in the future will reflect that. The people who are being hired right now are the ones who really went out there, and that’s what I recommend.
It takes 10 seconds of confidence to do something, and 99% of the time, it will work out. For the other 1%?, try again and it will work out eventually. Don’t let that 1% bad experience shape the rest of the experience you could potentially have. For those who are in the similar stage as me—students in the final years or soon-to-be-alumni—keep doing what you are doing, keep challenging yourself, and don’t settle. Don’t get too comfortable; seek new challenges and know that you will do great.
11. Any last comments?
Lastly, I’d like to share a quote: “You miss 100 of the shots you don’t take”. I know this can be cringe, but really, if you don’t try, you will never succeed. If you are going to sit and say things aren’t working out for me, take a look at yourself and realize “why is this not happening for me?” I promise you, it’s not the universe. And if it is, figure out a way to make it work. If you are not getting the jobs that you are applying to, take a look at what you can add to it; it’s not necessarily like “I need to change my whole resume format”, maybe see what else can set you apart, whether it is adding something different to your resume that’s eye catching or joining something that’s different from your other involvements.
Try everything you can, and if it doesn’t work out, don’t let it get you down. Keep getting back up on your feet, and it will all work out on its own way. That’s my last piece of advice, just do everything you can, try your best at everything, and go your hardest—it will work out, I promise.