In this episode, guest host Leonard Zheng joins Allison to interview two LFS alumni that have each pursued graduate school.
Manveen Kaur completed her B.Sc. in Applied Animal Biology at LFS thinking she would become a doctor or veterinarian. After falling in love with research in 3rd year, she decided to complete her undergraduate thesis and then continue on to complete an APBI Masters. Even though she thought she would go on to complete a PhD and continue with research, she now works with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency as a Multi-Program Inspector.
Ann Yang completed her B.Sc. in Food, Nutrition and Health at LFS. After graduating, she went on to work in the non-profit sector, where she observed systemic issues that she felt unable to resolve. This workplace experience led her to pursue her Master's of Public Health at UBC, which she is currently working on. By pursuing the MPH, Ann intends to learn how to become a catalyst for change.
Both Anna and Manveen give generously of their time to the LFS Young Alumni Council. Follow them on LinkedIn to learn about the various events and opportunities they organize for current LFS students and LFS alumni.
Key Moments
00:01:08: Leonard and Allison share their ideas about graduate school - will Leonard go? Why did Allison go?=
00:03:50: Introduction to Young Alumni Council members Manveen Kaur and Ann Yang, with insights into their experiences, resources, and networking opportunities within the council.
00:04:47: The importance of networking from an alumni perspective.
00:05:58: Why Ann and Manveen decided to attend graduate school and their journeys to getting there.
00:08:48: A day in the life of a graduate student
00:12:25: Integrating an undergraduate degree in FNH with a graduate degree in Public Health (MPH).
00:14:27: APBI experiences and the difference between and undergraduate vs graduate degree.
00:18:55: How APBI has enhanced Manveen's experience working with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
00:21:50: Ann and Manveen’s advice on applying to UBC Grad School and choosing the right school.
In this episode of Career Carrots, Jules and Allison explain why we might not all have a "dream job" or passion. They share stories, unpack the history of the world of work and provide tips for how you can identify and pursue a career that provides meaning in your life (however you define that!).
This episode was inspired by an episode of the podcast “The Psychology of your 20s” called “The Myth of the ‘Dream Job’”.
Key moments:
00:01:25 - Childhood dream jobs.
00:02:20 - Allison's thoughts about "dream jobs" and why they aren't as straightforward as you have been told
00:04:45 - Jules is challenged by the pressure to find a dream job.
00:06:00 - Reframing our expectations around our early career jobs.
00:07:40 - Allison's realization that her post-graduation dream job wasn't quite a dream after all
00:10:00 - What if I don't have a dream job? The many reasons you might not, and why it's ok.
00:15:25 - Get involved on campus! How to decide what to do now, so that you can figure out the best career fit for you.
00:18:30 - Is LFS Career Strategist Allison's dream job?
00:20:04 - Jules is still in the process of figuring it all out.
00:20:45 - Credits
You asked and we answered! Jules & Allison respond to career questions from our listeners. Including, "where's Rob?" "Where's Vivian?" and more.
If you want to ask us a question, write to us at the link in our Instagram bio @careercarrots.
00:01:45 - Where are Rob and Vivian?
00:02:22 - Rob pranks Thilini and Allison suffers for it
00:07:05 - Big news
00:08:00 - What's the difference between Work Learn and Co-op?
00:09:58 - Is it important to do your master's degree at a different institution than your undergraduate degree?
00:11:47 - What do I do if I hate my new job?
00:17:23 - Shout outs!
Wondering how to gain relevant career experience as a student? Joining the Co-op Program is a great way for students to build skills and gain work experience to support their future career endeavors.
In this episode, Allison and Jules sit down with Sanya Sivic, the LFS Co-op Coordinator, to learn more about the Science Co-op Program and what opportunities exist for LFS students.
(2:42) Overview of Sanya’s role as LFS Co-op Coordinator
(7:08) Sanya’s trajectory to becoming the Science Co-op Program
(14:42) What excites Sanya about her role
(21:26) Why students should apply to co-op
(26:52) What co-op positions exist for LFS students
(37:06) Employer benefits from taking on co-op students
(39:40) Sanya’s hopes for the Co-op Program
(41:05) What companies could benefit from joining the Co-op Program
(42:03) How to determine if co-op is right for you
Want to learn more?
Contact Sanya at UBC Science Co-op Science Co-op Website: https://sciencecoop.ubc.ca/
Career Carrots is back for a new season! Meet your new co-hosts: Allison Mander-Wionzek, the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at UBC's Career Strategist, and Jules Unick, a fifth year Food, Nutrition, and Health student in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems.
In this episode, Allison and Jules are joined by two career experts, Tony Botelho and Rob Kim, to talk about career transitions and uncertainty.
Tony is the Managing Director of the UBC Career Centre and a major player in the field of career development in Canada.
Rob is the Manager of Alumni Careers UBC and LinkedIn Top Voice. Rob has also held the role of LFS Career Strategist and supported LFS students through one-on-one advising and career workshops.
We are incredibly lucky and thrilled to have these two joining us to share their insights and stories.
(3:30) Rob transitions to a new job
(5:55) Rob’s career trajectory
(7:10) Tony’s career trajectory
(11:06) How to navigate career decision-making as a student
(17:30) Tony offers a beautiful metaphor
(19:50) How Jules navigates career decisions
(20:45) Managing stress
(27:07) Childhood dream jobs
(35:40) Takeaways
We've reached the end of season 2! Listen to this episode (that was recorded in-person together at the LFS Learning Centre for the first time!) to hear Rob and Vivian's reflections of the season, as well as how explicit reflection can benefit you in your career. Vivian shares what she found surprising while working on the podcast and a final takeaway from the season!
(1:40) Learn about LFS400, a class on audio storytelling
(4:50) What Vivian and Rob have learned from season 2
(8:30) How explicit reflection can benefit your career
(15:37) When Vivian started reflecting on herself
(18:51) Something that surprised Vivian working on the podcast project
(24:57) Final takeaways
You can't be what you can't see -- Many people come into university with certain careers in mind, and many people work in careers they never considered after university.
In this episode, Rob is joined by Jonathan Javier, founder and CEO of Wonsulting. Today they'll be talking about a variety of career topics, including strategies for job searching, networking with others, and using LinkedIn to land your next job.
(1:24) How it started
(3:02) Jonathan's perseverance through his career
(6:17) Tips for networking and seeking mentors
(12:15) Building processes and systems for networking
(16:19) Jonathan's top resume tip
(18:51) Tips from Jonathan's LinkedIn Learning course, "Hacks to Land a Job Using LinkedIn"
(23:55) A challenge Jonathan faced when he started posting on LinkedIn and how it has helped his career
(31:18) Pros and cons of working for yourself
(33:34) Wrapping up
Follow Jonathan on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-wonsulting/) and learn more about Wonsulting (https://www.wonsulting.com/)
You can't be what you can't see -- Many people come into university with certain careers in mind, and many people work in careers they never considered after university.
In this episode, Rob is joined by Sarah Johnston, an executive resume writer and the founder of Briefcase Coach. Today they'll be talking about a variety of career topics, including strategies for meeting and networking with others, starting your own business, and using LinkedIn for your job search and career.
(2:15) How it started
(4:15) Transferable skills through Sarah's career
(8:57) Tips for connecting and meeting others
(11:57) Sarah's career advice for her younger self
(14:20) Advice for a entrepreneur starting out
(19:00) Rapid fire career controversies
(22:05) Networking and the "hidden job market"?
(28:26) Tailoring your resume for your job applications
(29:35) Utilizing LinkedIn for your job search and business
(38:18) AI and the job search
(40:13) Takeaways
Follow Sarah on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahdjohnston/) and learn more about Briefcase Coach (https://www.briefcasecoach.com/)
You can't be what you can't see -- Many people come into university with certain careers in mind, and many people work in careers they never considered after university.
In this episode, Rob and Vivian are joined by Dean Rickey Yada, the current Dean of the Faculty of Land and Food Systems (LFS), and also a Food Science alumnus from the Faculty! Today he'll be talking about how he became the Dean, what he researched during his master's and PhD, and how he got to work with Vickie Kerr from Miss Vickie's chips!
(2:28) How it all started
(10:47) Working at the University of Guelph
(13:04) Becoming the Dean of LFS
(17:33) Dean Yada's research interests
(22:30) Working with Vickie Kerr at Miss Vickie's
(26:34) How Dean Yada finds the energy to be present for everyone in the Faculty
(28:47) Dean Yada's philosophy for treating others
(29:58) What Dean Yada wish he knew in first-year
You can't be what you can't see -- Many people come into university with certain careers in mind, and many people work in careers they never considered after university.
In this episode, Rob and Vivian are joined by Mariel Dela Cruz, a Food, Nutrition, and Health alumna from LFS. In first-year, Mariel thought she was going to be a veterinarian. She now works as communications coordinator, at Be the Change Group. Today she'll be talking about her job search process after graduation, how she leveraged her various experiences to pivot into communications, and reconciling that her degree didn't exactly align with her career interests.
(1:52) How Mariel got to where she is today
(8:32) Mariel's process for landing her first job after graduation
(16:50) How Mariel uses her study habits to inform her approach to a job search
(19:53) What a day in the life looks like for Mariel
(23:40) Reconciling that your university degree doesn't align with your career interests
(26:45) How Mariel's perception of careers has evolved
(29:42) How Mariel's experience in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems supported her transition to her career
(33:14) Takeaways
You can't be what you can't see -- Many people come into university with certain careers in mind, and many people work in careers they never considered after university.
In this episode, Rob and Vivian are joined by Marissa Gibbard, a Food, Nutrition, and Health alumna from LFS for their first Community Garden episode of season 2. In first-year, Marissa thought she was going to be a teacher. She now works as a research manager in healthcare, at the B.C. Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR). Today she'll be talking about her unexpected journey to working in research administration and how having the opportunity to solve problems with other people in her LFS courses helped shape her career.
(2:17) How Marissa got to where she is today
(4:55) What does a research manager do?
(7:29) What did Marissa wish she knew in first-year?
(16:11) Job application tips for students
(18:32) Behind the scenes of a hiring process
(21:41) How Marissa's experience in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems supported her transition to her career
(25:03) Tips for demonstrating human skills and transferable skills in job applications
(27:23) Takeaways
In this episode Rob and Vivian discuss something that surprised them both about summer jobs -- the hiring cycles! Hear what summer hiring cycles look like at UBC, and how you can prepare for the applications. Vivian and Rob share different opportunities you can apply for at UBC in term 2, and different tips and considerations for your applications. Stayed tuned for the rest of season 2 to hear from different guests from our community garden!
(1:52) Vivian's advice for her first-year self
(7:54) Something that surprised Vivian as first gen. university student in Canada (hint, it was the hiring cycles!)
(14:55) Summer hiring cycles from the perspective of a hiring manager
(16:25) Different opportunities to apply for in term 2 at UBC
(19:56) Tips for preparing for summer hiring
(24:21) Takeaways
In this episode, Vivian and Rob give a recap of various career resources available to UBC & LFS students. UBC's Career Fair is on October 6, 2022 from 11:00am-4:00pm! Vivian has never been to a career fair, and she spends the episode asking Rob questions about what to expect from attending a career fair. Rob discusses different approaches to preparing for the career fair, strategies to test out at the fair, and ways to follow-up afterwards. Vivian and Rob end the episode by trying to build the best on-campus lunch using favourite items submitted from the LFS|US and LFS Student Services.
We will be taking a mid-season break, thanks for tuning in this term!
(2:03) A recap of different career resources
(9:22) UBC's upcoming career fair
(11:07) What can I get from attending a career fair?
(13:42) Should I bring a resume?
(15:54) Strategies for making an impression
(22:57) How much time should I schedule for a career fair?
(24:01) Resources to help you prepare for a career fair
(25:52) Following-up after the fair
(28:15) Takeaways
(32:00) Building the best on campus lunch
In this episode, Vivian and Rob discuss one of her interests -- food! Hear how self-reflection using the VSI can allow you to understand your own story, and how you can use your own values, skills, and interests to connect with others. Rob discusses how he has threaded Star Wars through his career, and how Vivian's love for magic helped her make a friend in high school. Vivian wraps up by sharing 2 movies she has enjoyed, and Rob pitches an idea for a GenZ rom-com movie.
(1:20) Vivian's current top 3 restaurants
(8:48) Using interests to get to know someone
(11:37) Using VSI tables to reflect on yourself
(13:55) How Rob has used his interests through his career
(16:30) How Vivian made a friend through a shared interest
(23:07) Takeaways
(26:49) Favourite movies and Rob's movie pitch
In this episode, Rob reveals his 3 secrets to networking and Vivian discusses how she has applied them while networking. In addition, hear how an informational interview led to Vivian running to be the LFS Student Senator and how the LFS Mentorship Program has helped Vivian begin networking with others. Rob and Vivian also share what they have learned and gained from networking and mentorship, and Rob wraps up this episode by making fun of ViViLi.
(1:34) Rob's 3 secrets to networking
(3:56) How Vivian has used these secrets while networking
(14:24) How an informational interview led to Vivian's position as the LFS Student Senator
(17:59) Vivian's experience in the LFS Mentorship Program
(24:15) What Vivian has learned from informational interviews
(27:11) How mentorship has helped Rob in his career journey
(31:12) Takeaways
In this episode, Rob and Vivian discuss rejections they have faced, and the various strategies they have used to redirect themselves to new opportunities and paths. In addition, hear how strong and weak ties are important for careers, and how the LFS Mentorship Program helped Vivian develop confidence in her networking skills.
(1:24) Vivian's career plans in first year
(6:38) Differentiating between interests, expectations, and your career
(12:24) Weak & strong ties in careers
(15:42) Using a skills-based approach for your career
(19:06) How Rob has moved on from rejections he has faced
(23:33) Informational interviews for networking & career exploration
(29:39) Takeaways
(31:39) Rob's final nickname for Vivian
Welcome to the first episode of season 2! Meet a new co-host, Vivian, a fifth year Nutritional Sciences student in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at UBC. In this episode, listen to Rob and Vivian discuss many firsts - elevator pitches for strong first impressions, first actions they have taken to get more involved and take more risks, and Vivian's first experience with professional coaching. At the end of the episode, hear the nicknames Rob has come up for Vivian.
(4:33) Elevator pitches
(11:38) Vivian's experience with meeting peers in her first year
(15:14) A moment that pushed Rob to take more risks
(20:00) Vivian's first experience with professional coaching, and what she took away from it
(28:52) Rob & Vivian's takeaways
(32:11) Rob's nicknames for Vivian
Today's episode will be the last Community Garden for this season! In today's episode, we have a special guest, Afnan from the Applied Animal Biology. Afnan and Rob will be speaking about some of Afnan's experiences as the LFS Student Ambassador, her plethora of experiences at UBC, career and involvement advice, as well as what things Afnan looks for in a workplace. In this episode, there is an over-arching theme of birds, as it is one of Afnan's favourite animals, and she will be providing a great metaphor using her favourite bird. At the end of the episode, Rob and Elena will wrap it up by naming 5 celebrities they may have been near, with 1 of them not being one they've actually been near.
(1:15): Rob and Elena's favourite type of bird
(8:50): Something Afnan enjoyed in her role as the LFS Student Ambassador
(11:00): Some of Afnan's experiences as a UBC student
(13:15): Some advice on how to start getting involved on campus
(15:00): Rob's advice regarding opportunities that are relevant to your career path
(16:11): Advice Afnan would provide her younger self
(18:00): When did this advice connect for Afnan and what made this happen
(21:42): Afnan's first week at UBC as a student from outside the Lower Mainland
(24:30): Things in a workplace that Afnan looks for
(28:07): The type of bird that describes Afnan's Career Journey
(33:20): Rob's takeaway from Afnan
(34:00): Rob and Elena guessing which celebrities they have not been near (4 they have been near, 1 they have not)
Career Carrots Jingle Credits: Missy Dee (@missydmusic), Francis Arvalo (@francis arevalomusic), and David Tallarico
In this episode, Rob and Elena will be joined by Maddy Huehn from the Nutritional Sciences major for their Community Garden segment! Maddy is a Youtube content creator, creating content on being a student here at LFS. She is also an LFS Student Ambassador. Today, she'll be talking about the type of Youtube content creates, what she does as an LFS Student Ambassador, and talking about her journey as a student who transferred from the Faculty of Science into the Faculty of LFS. Like usual, Rob and Elena will be wrapping up this episode with their takeaways, and will be ranking their Top 4 Pixar movies!
(1:10): Something that's interesting to Rob and Elena on their social media accounts
(5:10): Community Garden segment with Maddy Huehn
(5:40): The type of Youtube content Maddy creates
(8:45): What Maddy does in the LFS Student Ambassador role
(10:55): Recognizing that many experiences you may have can fit well into various career opportunities
(12:35): Maddy's journey switching from the Faculty of Sciences to the Faculty of LFS
(17:25): Insight from Rob
(19:28): Tips from Maddy on how to prevent burnout
(21:55): A tip from Maddy on creating content
(26:40): Subscribe to Maddy's Youtube channel and follow her Instagram account!
(27:52): Elena's takeaways
(29:11): Rob's takeaways
(32:35): What Rob and Elena has been watching recently, and our Top 4 Pixar movies
Career Carrots Jingle Credits: Missy Dee (@missydmusic), Francis Arevalo (@fancisarevalo music), and David Tallarico.