Pride & Professionalism
As business students from all around can concur, finding and solidifying an identity for yourself can be difficult. Luckily, Schulich Pride came through with just the event for you: the Spectrum 2022 conference! Packed with exciting social events and even more notable sponsors attending the event from companies like RBC, TD and KPMG, the Schulich Pride alliance went all out in ensuring that students had an inclusive, accepting and exciting day ahead of them. Speakers from a variety of backgrounds had the chance during the pride progressive workshop to provide insight into their experiences being part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community or an ally in the workplace. One relevant topic of conversation concerning the workplace included changes that have been made to support inclusion and the existing challenges being faced. Among their insights, the speakers touched upon the predominant challenges involving the hesitation to bring one’s whole self to work and sharing aspects of their personal lives. An example that contributed to more open conversation amongst their colleagues was when Kate Ethier, Assistant Branch Manager/Advisor and Recruiter at RBC, described how a video was sent around RBC where it was shared that one of the C-suite executives was a trans woman, she recalled that the moment made her comfortable to share her pronouns in a professional setting and speak openly with her co-workers. This also had her wondering how many other similar conversations were happening around Canada. Steps that the speaker’s workplace have taken to foster inclusivity and learning. Ryan Waddington, a Managing Director Market Development Organization for Nestlé Purina Petcare North America also shared his experiences. He outlined that Nestlé Purina Petcare launched a course meant to educate those in the organisation on the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, which he said has really helped answer people’s questions that he usually received from others in his workforce. A second change in the workplace was outlined by another speaker would have been RSM’s allyship campaign; staff were given rainbow lanyards, which could act as an indicator of knowing who they could be their authentic selves around. This has created a safe space for those in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Ultimately, workplaces should aim to continue their efforts to make employees comfortable to bring their whole self to work to build a pipeline for future generations to do the same. As well, to foster productivity since one is able to perform well when they feel accepted and comfortable in their environment.
The Executive team of the Schulich Pride Association
One of the most entertaining and informative events of the conference was the Deloitte Workshop. The Deloitte workshops focused on the distinct types of personalities people could have and how they intertwine in the workplace. They showcased that each personality differed with certain traits being more dominant or recessive, how to effectively communicate with any personality and what jobs align well with the various personality types. In regards to each individual, anyone can be disposed to many different personality traits and each one can change based on the task at hand. For example, someone who typically takes leadership roles in demanding situations may decide to lay back and resign to passive observation. Similarly, just because someone is passive in some situations does not mean they do not they are unable to take a leadership role. The Business Chemistry workshop further emphasized how to deal with each individual personality as it acts as a powerful tool for catalyzing and maintaining good relationships in the workplace and with other clients. By the end of this workshop, event participants began to unify and share each other’s company a little more easily; detail-oriented individuals communicated with others who were goal-oriented, each one being able to express themselves to find a common ground. One of the most important skills to learn is to be able to convey your message and goal to the individual in front of you in a way they would be able to understand. The Deloitte workshop focused on strengthening those crucial skills. Throughout your life, you will meet many people with different methods and personalities, being able to approach them and convey your message is l one of the most important skills you can achieve, and it all starts with you.
The TD Fireside Chat with TD members Cherise Chow, Cassandra Arthur, & Marc-Antoine Saumier.
The Fireside Chat with TD event focused on owning your career and the various pathways to do so. One important takeaway from this chat was that whether it be a job that finances an MBA or working in a company in which there are personal development programs, it is essential to find a manager or work culture that fosters a personal and/or career growth-focused environment. As students apply for and experience various internships, try to establish your values early and reflect upon the companies and work environment you apply to, making sure that they can sufficiently support your personal and professional growth throughout your career.
Another key tip was to understand your transferable skills and know how you can leverage them. Whether it be skills like leadership or creativity, it is critical to know and apply them in your own effective style since this is what makes you stand out as an individual. In addition, learning to know oneself well could also help highlight your strengths and supplement improvement to your weaknesses in order to progress your career. You can’t sell yourself if you don’t know who you are. Not only is this important during your years at Schulich when applying for potential club positions or for internships but will also be of great importance when talking to representatives at networking events.
Furthermore, these seasoned professionals made sure to drive home this key point: to just APPLY! Don’t be afraid of rejection. Even if you feel as though you are unqualified and don’t meet all the requirements, apply anyway. It will help you gain experience tweaking your resume and writing cover letters, and the process itself will help you build a strong support system that will push you even further. It may seem trite to quote Wayne Gretzky, but his words certainly drive home these points; “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” The speakers concluded by urging participants to keep learning and ensuring them that it's okay not to know your career goals or direction just yet. In your undergraduate studies, you might not know. Some people take years dabbling in various fields and positions to know which career they decided to pursue. Always keep learning to achieve your goals to the best of your abilities. Learn what you are able to and be able to use it for your work, yourself, and your community.
SPECTRUM Conference Attendees
With the undeniable success of this kick-off Schulich Pride event, some burning questions still remain: how can students like us take more pride in who we are? How do we fight the fear to stand up, get what we want and be more open to our peers about who we want to be? According to numerous industry professionals at this event that have been in similar places, the answer seems to lie in patience and practice; Monica Henao, the content manager of the honorable Get Real Movement, provided event-goers with a very similar case growing up as a lesbian woman seeking acceptance. Whether it be finding a sense of belonging at the workplace, promoting unity, and fighting prejudice across the country or “getting her orders taken from cute girls'' at restaurants, her philosophy has always been to actively seek opportunities to build a community and, colloquially, dive into the deep end. The right support structure will breed confidence and confidence will create clarity regarding who you are and how you want to be seen, which includes owning and controlling the power of how you choose to be labeled. Julie Gallimore, the manager of Inclusion, Equity and Diversity at BDO, added onto this advice by stating that accepting yourself and finding acceptance from others go hand in hand, and that “giving definition to allyship” for yourself and others will help. By providing safe spaces and creating opportunities to parade diversity in the workplace and among your peers, you can manifest and create the acceptance you seek; however, even the most confident and decorated individuals, as highlighted in Ethier’s story about the C-suite trans-woman’s experience in the workplace, take time to get comfortable.
The moral of the story here is that there’s many of us out there with stories and identities that need a place or platform to be celebrated; it often takes time to personally give ourselves that platform, and that’s okay. Be kind to yourselves and focus on the next steps of your learning. Throughout all aspects of life, in and out of business, eventually we all find our place.