Career Carrots

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

In this episode, Allison and Jules sit down with Sanya

(2:42) Overview of Sanya’s role as LFS Co-op Coordinator

(7:08) Sanya’s trajectory to becoming the Science Co-op

(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

(42:03) How to determine if co-op is right for you

Want to learn more?

Contact Sanya at UBC Science Co-op

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

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

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