2012 MSVU Business & Tourism Conference

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The Business & Tourism department at MSVU is a community of people, experiences, opinions and voices. Our blog will reflect that community with the inclusion of guest bloggers who have stories to share of value to our community.

Today's blogger is Rebecca Skinner, a third year marketing student and Vice President of Marketing with the MSVU Business & Tourism Society.

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We all see “Be Part of Something BIG” around campus and online, but what does it truly mean?

 

For me, a third year Marketing student, it means that I don’t have to wait for graduation to make a difference – or to start my professional life. I’ve grown more and more thankful to be attending a university that opens so many opportunities to my generation. Whatever I want to do – wherever I want to go – I know that everyone at the Mount is here to see me succeed.

This past Thursday, October 18^th, the Business & Tourism Department, in conjunction with the Business & Tourism Society, hosted the 38^th Annual Learners & Leader’s: Igniting Success Business & Tourism Conference. With a full day of guest speakers, informative panels, and networking opportunities, the event sold out within a few short weeks of ticket availability.

 

To me, this event reinforced the belief that faculty and staff at the Mount want their students to succeed. The department wasn’t forced by the university to host the conference; it was done solely for us – the students and future generation.

I had the opportunity to speak with Ross Simmonds, Digital Marketing Specialist at Colour Creative, who expressed how great of a chance the conference presents to students. He summarized his thoughts by saying, “…if the students here today are any indication, its inspiring to see how bright the future of Nova Scotia is!”

 

If someone were to ask me what one thing I took from this year’s conference, I would have difficulty trimming it down to a single point. During the Human Resource panels, I learned various ways to gain experience in my field while still in school, and the day’s speakers motivated me to begin the necessary steps to take control of my future.

 

If there was one single concept that stuck the most with me, and that I would like to amplify to anyone reading this, it would be to follow your passion. Christopher Webb, co-owner of Pavia Gallery and morning keynote speaker, followed his passion, Ross Simmonds, Digital Marketing Specialist and morning keynote presenter, expressed his passion through social media, and employers want to see your passion when they are hiring you.

 

Your passion keeps you motivated, it tells people who you are and what you stand for, and it is the driving force that has inspired and encouraged me to propel myself into my future career.

 

Why wait?

 

Social Leadership (because sometimes, the world just sucks!)

The Business & Tourism department at MSVU is a community of people, experiences, opinions and voices. Our blog will reflect that community with the inclusion of guest bloggers who have stories to share of value to our community.

Today's blogger is Professor Ryan MacNeil, our newest faculty member in the Department of Business & Tourism & Hospitality Management.
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SOMETIMES, THE WORLD JUST SUCKS!
(...AND THAT’S WHY WE NEED SOCIAL LEADERS LIKE YOU!)

This fall, the Department of Business & Tourism is launching a new campus-wide social leadership program, open to all Mount students. The program is a hands-on chance to lead positive change in the world.

We’re offering a social leadership certificate that will look great on your resumé. But we’re hoping that the bigger reason you’ll want to join the program is to have an impact on society.

To earn the “year 1” social leadership certificate, you will complete 15 hours of volunteer work, participate in two professional development activities (including our social enterprise conference in February), and work with a team of your friends to run a social project in the community. At the end of next term, you’ll document your social impact “portfolio-style”.

As a new Assistant Professor here at the Mount, I’m excited to be leading this program. We’ll meet every other week for an hour to discuss social leadership and make plans for our projects. A preliminary drop-in information session is scheduled for Wednesday, September 26 from 2-3 pm in Seton room 404. If you can’t attend, you can contact me for more information or to join the group. Reach me via email (ryan.macneil@msvu.ca) or twitter (@ryanmacneil).

Third person alternative:

The program is being led by our new full-time professor, Ryan MacNeil. We’ll meet every other Wednesday for an hour to discuss social leadership and make plans for our projects. . A preliminary drop-in information session is scheduled for Wednesday, September 26 from 2-3 pm in Seton room 404. To sign up, or get more information you can email (ryan.macneil@msvu.ca) or tweet (@ryanmacneil) to Professor MacNeil.

Reflections on my first co-op.

Guest Post: Reflection on my first co-op

The Business & Tourism department at MSVU is a community of people, experiences, opinions and voices. Our blog will reflect that community with the inclusion of guest bloggers who have stories to share of value to our community.

Today's guest blogger is Lauren Perry, a second year tourism student who has just returned after her first co-op experience in Jasper. AB.
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I just got back from an amazing summerco-op work experience working for Fairmont Hotels and Resorts at their Jasper,Alberta location. Last fall I heard about the opportunity and applied not even expectingan interview. Yet, after a few phone calls and interviews back and forth I wasoffered a job with their housekeeping department in late January.

 

Beforeleaving the Mount last spring I began to doubt my decision slightly as everyonewas talking about going home for the summer. However, although I had justfinished my first year, I embraced the experience and tried to learn as much asI could.

Showing initiative really paid off for me.If you show a passion for something, I have now learned, you will be rewarded.My managers knew from the beginning that I was there on co-op and they providedme with so many great experiences as I showed a desire to achieve within theindustry. I had thought that I would just be another room attendant and wouldget lost in the mix within such a large company. However, I got to advance tothe late shift after just over a month, I shadowed front desk for a day, mymanagers, and other housekeeping personnel, and I even got to fill in as clerkfor a few days while they were on vacation. My manager made a point to give mespecial tasks and said as I left Jasper that I could contact him aboutabsolutely anything. He was a huge part in making my experience out west trulymemorable.

When leaving Jasper I felt a mix ofemotions. I took away so many great pictures, and had so many great memoriesexploring a region I had never experienced before; however I did miss home andwas ready to get back into the swing of things at the Mount. I am so glad thatI experienced this my first summer away from home. I have truly grown as an individual.I was sad to leave people I met, and the memories I made, but I will alwaysremember this summer.

Everyone at the Mount told me I would comeback a different person. I did not believe them. However, having a trulymemorable first co-op experience has changed me. I learned a lot about myselfliving away from home and encountering new relationships. I also got to learn alot about the tourism industry and where my career may take me. If I can giveany advice to new students, or any students taking co-op, I would say toexplore any options that come your way, and truly do not limit yourself. Keepyour options completely open and great things will come. Also, turn to supportfrom your friends and family as well as Profs and the co-op office.

 

You may bewondering, where will I go for my next co-op experience? Honestly, I have noidea. I want to keep my options open. It may be for Fairmont, or it may not. Idefinitely want to explore more and see what another department and locationcould bring to my development. MSVU, do like I did and get out there and “bepart of something big”.