Leadership. No matter the stage of your career, you will be confronted with the word and how to define it. That's especially true if you spend time on LinkedIn. But, leadership is a big word. Depending on your experience level in your career, your perspective or your culture, the conversation of leadership is different. In this episode, we talk with BTech grad Chief Billy Morin, about his perspective on leadership after finishing his third term as chief of the Enoch Cree Nation. He tells us how he approaches leadership, the steps he took to become a better leader and how his education helped prepare him for leadership of his nation.

While we once thought of social media as a way to stay connected with friends or chat online or play a game together, it’s now grown into an industry in which people have full-time careers.

But how do you start a career in social media? What type of work would you actually be doing when working in social media?And, it is a feasible goal to try and become an influencer?

In this episode of Career Essentials, we talk to social media strategist Beverley Theresa about her career path in social media and how her education lead her to work in social media. When Beverley started her education, social media wasn’t a course you could take in school. She shares how the Business Admin with a focus in marketing program and her work in analytics at a market research company gave her the foundational knowledge and the experience to integrate social media with other digital marketing practices.

Equity, diversity and inclusion. EDI. You’ve likely heard these words a lot these past few years. And, if you’re in the job market, you’ve probably seen a lot of postings from companies and organizations that affirm they are dedicated to them. But what do those words really mean?

In this episode, we talk to Rondah Worrell-Maik from NAIT’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Office about how each of us can help foster an inclusive workplace, the tangible benefits of that, and what new grads seeking an equitable workplace should look for when applying for positions.

Newspapers went from a business of printing money through display and classified ad sales to becoming just another fish hunting for food in an expansive digital ocean. Knowing how to pivot from an industry in decline or collapse to the next thing is a challenge many Canadians will experience as the future of work and jobs change due to technology.

In this episode of the Career Essentials podcast, Rob LeLacheur (Marketing ’94) discusses his experiences and lessons learned during a 27-year career, much of it in the newspaper industry in Edmonton and St. Albert. He also shares what it’s like to reinvent yourself after a venture fails, why he no longer fears change and how he used one industry’s decline as a jumping point to start Road 55, a digital content production and marketing company.

Professional recruiters Elisabeth Boehme and Nick Stadnyk help redefine what networking means and how to do it in a way that caters to both your personality and your career. They share different strategies for networking – whether that’s by having a conversation with a stranger in line for coffee, staying behind in class and chatting with a classmate, or taking it to social media.

Related techlifetoday.ca stories:

Career Essentials Ep. 4: Job search tips in the pandemic

5 networking tips using LinkedIn

How stronger ‘soft skills’ can make a difference in the job search

5 ways to succeed in the toughest job market ever

Landing that first job after convocation requires a lot of heavy lifting, from polishing your resumé and LinkedIn profile to tapping networks of peers, past employers and instructors for potential leads.

In COVID times, this can feel extra daunting. Shannon Neighbour (Marketing ’00), a partner with Edmonton-based Svenson-Neighbour Recruiting, shares tips for how recent graduates can produce a resume that dazzles, a LinkedIn profile that gets noticed, and how to prepare for the virtual job interview. She also takes questions from job-seeking NAIT grads and current students.

We’ve all had childhood fantasies of what we want to be when we grow up. Superhero. Rock star. Astronaut. Or more recently, YouTube star or social media influencer. But as we grew up, those fantasies seemed to be just that. You’re told, it’s just not a realistic career choice. But, what if it was?

Jennifer Stang (Culinary Arts '08) grew up wanting to be a baker but as she grew older she considered pasty as more of a hobby than a career. She was on track for medical school when she realized making buttercream was all she cared about. 

Stang shares how her decision to change careers ultimately led to NAIT and a thriving business in Edmonton's La Boule Patisserie and Bakery. She also provides insight on how the rest of us can recognize the signs when we’re off course – and how to find the right path.

Fighting wildfires isn't for the faint of heart – especially when you're leading a crew of 20 men and women against some of the biggest, hottest fires in recent memory. Forest Technology alumnus and author Harold Larson shares what it's really like on the front lines and how to lead teams during stressful situations. Larson is a recipient of the 2020 Spirit of NAIT Alumni Award.

Host: Bryan Alary

Producers: Bryan Alary, Shawna Greer

Artwork: Tracy Niven

Music: Lance Conrad, DJ Taz Rashid

Related techlifetoday.ca stories:

A look inside life as an Alberta wildfire fighter

What it's like on the front lines of a raging wildfire

A NAIT alum's experience fighting fires in Fort McMurray

Check out the full list of NAIT alumni and industry honoured through NAIT Celebrates.

Chef Steven Brochu (Culinary Arts '06), owner of Milkcrate in Edmonton, shares how he launched Milkcrate Listens to start conversations about mental health in the restaurant industry. Brochu shares how Milkcrate Listens came about, and why the restaurant industry is overdue for a serious conversation about mental health. He also shares ideas about what changes are needed to ensure the wellbeing of employees.

Learn more about Milkcrate Listens

If you're in Edmonton and need help, call the 24/7 Distress Line at 780-482-HELP (4357).  NAIT students can also find support at nait.ca/mentalhealth.

Related techlifetoday.ca stories

New support arrives for mental health at Edmonton restaurants (featuring Steven Brochu and Milkcrate Listens

How to come out of the pandemic as your best self ever (featuring NAIT Personal Fitness Trainer chair Kate Andrews)

How should we talk about mental health (featuring a NAIT student and Mental Health First Aid instructor)

Introducing Career Essentials, a new podcast from techlifetoday.ca and NAIT.

Career Essentials offers real-world advice and insight into different careers and career paths. We feature the stories and experiences of alumni of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), with lessons for everyone.

Whether you’re just starting out or further along your career journey, each episode will give you perspectives, tools and tips that are essential to growth and success. And who knows - we might even inspire you to pursue a completely new career path and help you achieve personal and professional satisfaction.

Career Essentials is created and hosted by the team at techlifetoday, NAIT’s online magazine.