Professional Skills Training
There have been many opportunities to expand my skill set, network, and get certified throughout my time at the University of Victoria. Through Com 405, I have had the opportunity to select courses, training seminars, and professional certifications that will be useful for me as I continue to develop my role within Holy Homous and work to expand our business. I have found that Com 405 has really enabled me to tailor my learning to fit my own personal needs while at the same time aligning my newly acquired skills with the needs of the company. I have outlined the professional skills training along with the networking and volunteering I have done in the paragraphs below.
Professional Certifications
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With the introduction of the social media portion of Holy Homous' marketing and communications plan, I thought it would be very helpful to become a Hootsuite Certified Professional. I have found the training to be very useful and am constantly on the dashboard scheduling output, managing content, and listening to our audience.
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Holy Homous also introduced a new website in the last year, and while I am not reporting on the analytics, I knew that it would be advantageous to understand the reports and know how to improve our online engagement and presence. I completed the Google Analytics Academy training in June 2015.
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Online Webinars
I found the online webinars that were available through the Com 405 website to be very helpful and really found value in the fact that I could tailor my learning so that it was specific to what I need to improve and what I need to be a more valuable member of my team at Holy Homous.
The entrepreneurship panel gave me valuable insight into work-life balance and a better understudying that my time is my most valuable asset. The entrepreneurs also made note of the value of networking and "multi-slacking," or being able to complete projects while still enjoying yourself.
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Salary negotiation was something I was interested in learning more about as I come to the end of my university career. Understanding how to value yourself and negotiate a contract for employment or partnership are invaluable lessons that anyone can use.
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I had never built a website before the one you are looking at now. In today's digital world, this skill is one that cannot be overvalued. How did I do?
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I understand now that Linkedin is the most important social media platform for business professionals. Since I improved and updated my account, I have been using the platform on a daily basis and have found it to be an excellent tool to network, promote your business, or find help with a project. Most recently I used it to find a graphic designer on very short notice to do an ad for our company.
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Networking, Sustainability and Community Enhancement
I have combined networking, sustainability, and community enhancement into one category as I feel that they are all interconnected. I have become more interested in networking with like-minded people who are interested in sustainability and community enhancement and have found many opportunities to do so in Victoria.
I became a member of the Music BC Industry Association to become more involved in British Columbia's thriving music community and to have the opportunity to connect with talented people. I really believe that music can have a very positive effect on the community and is one of the best ways to develop, grow, and give an identity to that community.
I had the pleasure of performing at a Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock fundraiser at Reynolds Secondary School. The school has raised over $400,000 for Cops for Cancer over the last ten years and it was an honour to be able to contribute to that total. The Tour de Rock is a two week bicycle tour of Vancouver Island, where police officers and special guests pedal over 1,000 kilometres and raise money to fight childhood cancer. It brings together communities from all over the Island and unites them in one cause, while subtly promoting a healthy and green lifestyle.
The prodigy group was recommended by my boss who is a member of the Victoria Chamber of Commerce. He thought it would be a good opportunity to go out and be the face of the company. I found that it was a great networking opportunity and made connections that I am sure will be useful in the future.
The Centre for Social and Sustainable Innovation at the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business put on a Social Innovation Jam where speakers talked about their experiences in starting social ventures and where the innovation in social ventures differed from traditional for-profit ventures. I am interested in pursuing a venture with a social benefit in the future and I found the night to be very informative.
Holy Homous is a very proud supplier of product to The Mustard Seed Food Bank here in Victoria. We are able to donate our excess product to help feed hungry people throughout the city. We believe that the Mustard Seed plays a very important role in the community as food security is a very serious problem on Vancouver Island.
For more information about any of the associations listed above, click the logo to be redirected to their website!
