STUDENT MENTORING WRAP UP News Share this: We had our annual student mentoring night last week and Jamie Chapelsky gracious provided us with a great wrap-up of her experience at this event. A big thank you to Starburst Creative for coming on board as our presenting sponsor. We couldn’t do it without you! by Jamie Chapelsky Bachelor of Communications program at MacEwan University Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn As a student, putting yourself out there and networking with the industry professionals that will one day give you your first job can be a terrifying idea. This is why events like the Advertising Club of Edmonton’s Student Speed Mentoring are so fantastic – you get to interact with some of Edmonton’s leading professionals in a casual, inviting atmosphere. Comfy couches, grilled cheese, and engaging conversation. What more could you want? You can also tell that the mentors have a genuine interest in forming relationships with the students, which really helps make a possibly awkward situation much less harrowing. Over the course of the night, I had the opportunity to connect with an array of professionals from different sectors of the industry, and they provided practical advice on how to stand out in the sea of up-and-coming communicators. From cover letters to LinkedIn profiles, I left with great tips in my toolkit. For any student who missed out, here are a few pointers. Be a Jack (or Jill) of many trades – previous education and other interests make you that much more of an asset. The job you want may not even exist yet, so prepare for everything. Make connections. Most jobs come from establishing relationships, not job postings. Embrace the awkward and get out there! You may be the only student, and it might be uncomfortable, but that can only become easier if you keep showing up. Be a keener and demonstrate an enthusiasm to keep learning. The technology is always changing and you need to be willing to stay on top of it. That’s what makes the field so exciting! The event was a blast and it opened my eyes to the world of possibilities here in Edmonton. We have some great, passionate communicators and I can’t wait to keep learning from them.