Coffee Chats are Gen Z's Secret Career Building Weapon

The transition from student to full time employee and team member can be a bumpy step in young people’s path to adulthood. One minute working on an essay deadline and the next ensuring that critical workplace deadlines and expectations are met. In this episode we introduce you to Madelaine Violi, an Account Coordinator at a Toronto advertising agency, who is fresh into her chosen career. Madelaine explains that her Communications Studies program at Wilfred Laurier University and a postgrad Advertising Management program at Humber Polytechnic prepared her for life’s next steps; however what helped her go from being one of hundreds of candidates for a posted job to landing work in her field came down to Coffee Chats with advertising industry people.

 While she admits reaching out to people on LinkedIn can be a little daunting, the payoff was worth it. Early on she landed a mentor in the industry who helped her structure her resume, practice her interview skills and prepare her for work at an agency. And one piece of advice she would give to young people just finishing school is that “you want to interview a job just as much as they want to interview you.” Namely don’t be shy to ask the right questions in an interview because workplace fit is important.

Now 10 months into her new career, Madelaine also knows how important it is for her to give back to help students ready to start their careers. Last month she went back to talk to students at Humber College and yes, she too is having coffee chats with students looking to kickstart their careers.

And as she says foster connections in your industry reach out over LinkedIn to set up coffee chats and don’t be discouraged. Looking for work in your chosen field is a process.

For more on my interview with Madelaine listen to the podcast