I don't know if this observation has anything to do with the fact that I am a libra, or that I have been talking far too much to Kejina (a self proclaimed horoscope nut), or just because it is in fact true, but it's really funny how the universe really has a way of balancing itself out....
Last week I must admit was considerably slow for me around here, with everyone being away at meetings, and with not too many new assignments. I must admit, I was falling into a bit of a slump but this week really shot my motivation right back up. This week I was asked to sit in on a meeting by Vince Isber (Regional VP) and it was so nice to see that when the meeting progressed I started to recognize some of the numbers and results being presented by Vince... because I compiled them earlier this month! I sat there at the meeting and I couldn't help but feel a little bit of pride and satisfaction seeing something that I did prove to be useful and of interest to a boardroom (and if I may state, a very big boardroom) of important people. The week only got better with a fantastic work party. Our FP Manager Tom Hayhurst-France took the team to Barangas on the Beach, a fabulous restaurant right on the water for a delicious Greek meal and dessert as well as drinks. The day of R&R only got better when I realized that there was going to be some beach volleyball. I must admit, it was really nice to finally see everyone out of their bank attire and in casual mode. And of course, the week's fun events would not be complete without a lovely lunch with Professor Malik at my home away from home Starbucks (thanks again for the lunch sir).
I hope with this whole universe balance thing that my great work week won't be offset by a gloomy forecast next week... I guess you'll have to stay tuned to find out! :-P
Friday, June 20, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Take a Firkin Safari
Oh the irony! Asked to contribute to a blog to help market the program, when our team lost a challenge 3yrs ago for suggesting a blog as a good way to connect with customers online!
So let me tell you a little bit about my experience with The MARS Apprentice. I was involved the first year it began (thanks Robyn and Mandeep!) and had the defining experience of my McMaster career. The level of intensity was so high that it pushed our team of 5 to connect in a way I had never known at that point. "Team-building" as a term doesn't come close to describing it... and the results were fantastic.
In a personal sense, the program gave me a *lot* to be thankful for. Coming from a Finance background and trying to make the jump into Marketing, I was having difficulty getting interviews for marketing positions. And when I did get an interview the question always was "Why are you here when you just finished a 16mo finance internship?" Simply by completing the program I added an enormous talking point to my resume... and the internship I won at JAN Kelley was instrumental in building my foundation in marketing practices. I learnt so much through the Apprentice program that allows me to excel in my marketing role today.
Several years later, I'm the Email Marketing Specialist at Canadian Tire Online working with the 3rd most highly visited retail website in Canada and managing a marketing database of nearly a million Canadians. I've had the opportunity to work with some of the best-in-class online vendors for email, analytics, search, and creative... and am project managing programs that will take online loyalty in Canada to new heights. And I owe the smile on my face every day to Mr. Mandeep Malik, and the Orbits Corp team.
If you want to work in marketing and you want a chance to show you have what it takes, apply now.
So let me tell you a little bit about my experience with The MARS Apprentice. I was involved the first year it began (thanks Robyn and Mandeep!) and had the defining experience of my McMaster career. The level of intensity was so high that it pushed our team of 5 to connect in a way I had never known at that point. "Team-building" as a term doesn't come close to describing it... and the results were fantastic.
In a personal sense, the program gave me a *lot* to be thankful for. Coming from a Finance background and trying to make the jump into Marketing, I was having difficulty getting interviews for marketing positions. And when I did get an interview the question always was "Why are you here when you just finished a 16mo finance internship?" Simply by completing the program I added an enormous talking point to my resume... and the internship I won at JAN Kelley was instrumental in building my foundation in marketing practices. I learnt so much through the Apprentice program that allows me to excel in my marketing role today.
Several years later, I'm the Email Marketing Specialist at Canadian Tire Online working with the 3rd most highly visited retail website in Canada and managing a marketing database of nearly a million Canadians. I've had the opportunity to work with some of the best-in-class online vendors for email, analytics, search, and creative... and am project managing programs that will take online loyalty in Canada to new heights. And I owe the smile on my face every day to Mr. Mandeep Malik, and the Orbits Corp team.
If you want to work in marketing and you want a chance to show you have what it takes, apply now.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
on behalf of Gravity Corporation...
When MARS Apprentice was first introduced, back the the day...2004? i think. it's been too long to remember, but I definitely knew I wanted to be a part of it. Being sort of a reality TV junkie (i'm not gonna lie), I loved the show, and thought it would be a great opportunity to put my skills to the test and get some exposure to the companies participating. I was one of 10 contestants, and the only 4th year student to participate. I can honestly say that it was really difficult to manage during my final undergrad year, but it was all worth it in the end!
Gravity Corporation was our team name, and we worked on challenges for 4 companies: JK Marketing, Hamilton Ti-Cats, Frito Lay and Maple Leaf Foods. I still remember the "tiger tail drop" presentation in the lobby of Degroote, it was so much fun!
What did I get out of MARS Apprentice? I learned how to effectively work with others (sometimes day in a day out), learned how to become a better leader (project manager!) and strengthened my time-management and communication skills. I have also become a better presenter and can make a mean Powerpoint presentation! But the best part for me, was that it made me realized how much I enjoyed Marketing. I truely developed a passion for it and knew that it was something I wanted to pursue in my career.
On that note, after graudation, I worked for a non-profit marketing company promoting Arts and Culture events. After that, I moved on to work for Enterprise-Rent-A-Car and became a Branch Manager in a speedy 14 months! Currently I'm still working part time for Enterprise, but am starting my MBA studies full-time at the Schulich School of Business in September. I'm super excited to go back to school and can't wait for what the future holds for me...
Good luck to all of you! Do what you love and love what you do! :D
Jackie Lim
Gravity Corporation was our team name, and we worked on challenges for 4 companies: JK Marketing, Hamilton Ti-Cats, Frito Lay and Maple Leaf Foods. I still remember the "tiger tail drop" presentation in the lobby of Degroote, it was so much fun!
What did I get out of MARS Apprentice? I learned how to effectively work with others (sometimes day in a day out), learned how to become a better leader (project manager!) and strengthened my time-management and communication skills. I have also become a better presenter and can make a mean Powerpoint presentation! But the best part for me, was that it made me realized how much I enjoyed Marketing. I truely developed a passion for it and knew that it was something I wanted to pursue in my career.
On that note, after graudation, I worked for a non-profit marketing company promoting Arts and Culture events. After that, I moved on to work for Enterprise-Rent-A-Car and became a Branch Manager in a speedy 14 months! Currently I'm still working part time for Enterprise, but am starting my MBA studies full-time at the Schulich School of Business in September. I'm super excited to go back to school and can't wait for what the future holds for me...
Good luck to all of you! Do what you love and love what you do! :D
Jackie Lim
Monday, June 9, 2008
Feeling Like...
The Grandmother of MARS Apprentice.
I was part of the inaugural year of Apprentice and still feel completely honoured to have been a part of it. Professor Malik aka M&M came to me with this great idea for the TV show spin off. My immediate thoughts were 1. When does he have time to come up with these random programs ideas? 2. Why is he telling me? and 3. Is this going to be a lot of work? :)
Looking back I'm blessed that he picked me to help bring the program to life. And help was just a small part of it. The idea came from his brain and my OCD skills brought it to life. The idea of launching a pilot Marketing program for a business school that specializes in churning out accountants was a great idea. The execution at times was difficult but definitely paid off for my career and learning skill set. I loved taking Marketing classes during my time at DeGroote but had no idea that launching this program was so specific to my development in Marketing & Advertising.
Trying to figure out how to pitch the program, drafting letters to companies, trying to recruit students to a program with no history, interviewing students and executing the events from boardrooms to challenges was probably the most difficult task I took on in my final year of school. I had no idea what I was doing but M&M figured out that I had to hit the ground running. Current Apprentices keep talking about being self starters in their positions and this program definitely taught me all that good stuff that you can quote in an interview. Initiative, Autonomy, Fast Learning Curve, Problem Solver, etc. I had no idea what I was learning was so integral to my career. Guess that just goes to show that undergrads think they might know what's going on but it slowly and continually falls into place. Especially when you hit the beast called the "work world". All in all I appreciate the classes I took at DeGroote and the way I learned to study and apply myself however being a part of MARS Apprentice probably gave me more learnings and skills to bring to the table when searching for my first job out of school. I am a complete believer in the program and think it's probably one of the best things you can do for yourself if you are looking to get into a MARS profession.
I was part of the inaugural year of Apprentice and still feel completely honoured to have been a part of it. Professor Malik aka M&M came to me with this great idea for the TV show spin off. My immediate thoughts were 1. When does he have time to come up with these random programs ideas? 2. Why is he telling me? and 3. Is this going to be a lot of work? :)
Looking back I'm blessed that he picked me to help bring the program to life. And help was just a small part of it. The idea came from his brain and my OCD skills brought it to life. The idea of launching a pilot Marketing program for a business school that specializes in churning out accountants was a great idea. The execution at times was difficult but definitely paid off for my career and learning skill set. I loved taking Marketing classes during my time at DeGroote but had no idea that launching this program was so specific to my development in Marketing & Advertising.
Trying to figure out how to pitch the program, drafting letters to companies, trying to recruit students to a program with no history, interviewing students and executing the events from boardrooms to challenges was probably the most difficult task I took on in my final year of school. I had no idea what I was doing but M&M figured out that I had to hit the ground running. Current Apprentices keep talking about being self starters in their positions and this program definitely taught me all that good stuff that you can quote in an interview. Initiative, Autonomy, Fast Learning Curve, Problem Solver, etc. I had no idea what I was learning was so integral to my career. Guess that just goes to show that undergrads think they might know what's going on but it slowly and continually falls into place. Especially when you hit the beast called the "work world". All in all I appreciate the classes I took at DeGroote and the way I learned to study and apply myself however being a part of MARS Apprentice probably gave me more learnings and skills to bring to the table when searching for my first job out of school. I am a complete believer in the program and think it's probably one of the best things you can do for yourself if you are looking to get into a MARS profession.
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