You’ve heard these buzzwords in undergrad: “volunteer,” “co-op,” “network,” “workshop.” Follow these steps and success will knock at your door. I took this advice to heart so much that my socials fed me a relentless stream of content like, ‘best questions to ask after an interview’ or ‘here’s the number one tip to beat the impossible job market.’
It’s comforting to believe that completing these buzzwords will set you up for that first ‘big kid job.’ But one honours project, two co-ops and three years of volunteering later, it was like Thanos snapped away my identity as a student once I crossed the stage. Stress and expectations grew, so that’s when I decided to give IABC a try (and I wish I joined sooner).
It started when I signed up as a mentee and connected with a mentor through IABC’s mentorship program. I was guided with advice and solutions tailored to my personal goals and challenges. Following my mentor’s advice, I joined workshops, networking events and case study discussions which expanded my skill set and gave me the confidence and knowledge to excel in my profession. Moreover, these events allowed me to connect with more industry leaders and peers, many of whom I now share close relationships with outside the organisation.
As a result, yes, I finally landed my first ‘big kid job.’ The university buzzwords and some luck helped, but IABC drew the finish line. Now, free of pressure and flexible to my needs, IABC has given me the professional community I needed after university.
So, if you’re thinking about bridging the gap between your education and career, “IABC” might just be the next buzzword you need.
