The

Ampersand

HUMANIS BLOG

November 18, 2020

Why me? Y Not! – The Ampersand December 2020

By: Kiara Marika

“Go to school, get a degree, and you’ll land a job!” A refrain we’ve all heard I’m sure. Well, for me at least, as for most of us Gen-Y types, it wasn’t quite that simple.

My job didn’t just land in my lap. I actually had to work for it. Go figure!

Well, let’s back up a minute here. For starters, I went to Mount Royal University, which at the time of my acceptance, meant enduring a lot of judgey opinions, Mount Royal being a college and all. I would always hear “Ooooh … you’ve decided on Mount Royal?  Interesting.” Thankfully I did not let these opinions get the best of me as I not only achieved a high level of education at MRU but I thrived in the small class sizes, loved the fact that my professors knew me by name and appreciated how they were willing to listen and help me achieve the best version of myself. I know that sounds cheesy, but it’s the truth. That’s also foreshadowing.

Anyways, I studied at Mount Royal College, I mean University, where I got my degree in Business Administration with a major in Marketing and General Management and a minor in Finance. At the end of my University career and upon completing my degree, I was unsure of where exactly I wanted to start my career journey, and I remember thinking “now what? Where am I going to end up with all my new qualifications?!”

Turns out, insurance was the answer! I got hired to work at a small insurance brokerage where I dealt with employee health and wellness benefit forms and tracking spreadsheets.  This was neither Marketing, General Management nor Finance related. And, to say the least, this did not fulfil many, okay any, of my work aspirations. I mean, I had a degree in Marketing and here I was working in a windowless, clientless box at an insurance brokerage that used precisely none of my skills or training to their advantage.

A few months into the job (after really giving it a chance) I found myself dreading going to work and realized that I needed to make a change in my career; one that would fulfil me and make me happier in what I do. I was wasting away at the ripe old age of 24, mindlessly reviewing benefit claims in a stuffy office, never interacting with the customer or the sun. This is not what I wanted nor how I pictured my career unfolding.

At the same time as I was working at the insurance brokerage, I was also working part-time at a newly opened workout studio in Bridgeland. While an entirely mindless job, I enjoyed it as I got to interact with clients every time I was there. I genuinely enjoyed talking to people and checking in on them to see how they were doing. After completely hating my stagnant day job, this part-time second job let me be more myself and interact with amazing people genuinely trying to make themselves better and healthier. Not to mention, it was a great networking activity for a young professional like myself! With almost every customer who came to the studio to train, I would ask about their professions, checked in on them and strived to be as friendly as I could be. Not because I had to but because I wanted to. Through my days of greeting people at the studio and constant little chats, little did I know that my future (now current) boss was a regular.

Turns out, after taking his daily punishment in the HIIT room with one of the trainers, one of my regular chats was with Adam. Turns out he was interested in what I did for work (sensing with his Spidey recruiter powers, perhaps, that I was less than fulfilled). I mean, he does have an edge for finding the best people! After chatting with Adam and realizing that there was so much more for me out there, I decided to hand in my resignation at the insurance company and take a chance at a new job with Pekarsky & Co. Although the decision was difficult, now in hindsight, it was definitely worth it. I remember thinking that this is a huge risk, but if I don’t do this now, then when? This risk, it turns out, would have been in staying, not leaving.

Fast forward a few months. I started with the firm on April 30, 2018. Immediately, I was putting to use my university degree and was applying it to real life situations pretty much every day. While that may sound fairly standard, many of my peers are not so fortunate. In fact, I find that this is extremely rare to find in an employer. Many people these days go to university and work in a field that has absolutely nothing to do with that degree. And although there is no Bachelors of Recruiting, I feel like I am able to apply all the skills I attained in university to my current job and for that I am extremely grateful.

Specifically, I handle all the firm’s marketing functions ranging from website management to social media to event planning. I am a part of a global Marketing Committee with Panorama, the global alliance of boutique executive search firms to which we belong. In that role I have global responsibilities and interact with people all over the world. Closer to home, I handle all the firm’s accounting functions, monthly bookkeeping and invoicing, working closely with, and learning from, our outside accountants. I assist the Partners in the operations of the firm, too. It’s as though I got my degree in Business Administration with a major in Marketing and General Management and a minor in Finance!!

But most importantly, and perhaps most uniquely, I feel like my voice, my ideas and my skills are truly valued and respected. I find that most people my age struggle with this in their jobs and I feel quite lucky to have found a workplace that makes me feel important. But, I wouldn’t be feeling this way if I had decided to stick it out at some insurance brokerage. I took a risk. I left that job and I am now at a firm where I’m valued, appreciated, fulfilled, part of a team and actually, legitimately, have a path to owning a piece of it one day.

I think it’s important to find something that you truly enjoy and it is true what they say: “If you love what you do, you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” This is achievable if you surround yourself with people who want to see you succeed and connect yourself with people who will give you an opportunity to prove that.

Lastly, this message is directed at young professionals, our Leaders of Tomorrow, as they navigate these unsettling times. Remember to be stubborn about what you want from your career and then find a place that gives you that. I now happen to be a part of a firm that is a big believer in empowering everyone to do their best; supporting women, diversity, and inclusion, and truly growing however you can. And at the end of the day, these are the things you should always look for.

Yes, MRU allowed me to thrive in the small class sizes and I loved the fact that my professors knew me by name and I appreciated how they were willing to listen and help me achieve the best version of myself. Hmmm, sounds very similar to Pekarsky & Co.

I know that sounds cheesy, but it’s the truth.

Regards,

Kiara

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YANOUK POIRIER

ASSOCIÉ-DIRECTEUR
M. Yanouk Poirier cumule plus de 25 ans d'expérience professionnelle et il a dirigé avec succès de nombreuses missions de recrutement exécutif, de conseil en leadership et de recrutement de membres de conseils d'administration pour des PME, de grandes entreprises nationales et internationales.

Très impliqué, M. Poirier siège aux conseils d'administration de Penrhyn International, du Club St-James de Montréal et de la Fondation du cancer du sein du Québec. Il est également mentor et gouverneur pour l'Université de Sherbrooke. Yanouk se décrit comme un homme de famille, un père, un entrepreneur et un connecteur. Il croit profondément que nous pouvons changer le monde un leader à la fois et que nous avons la responsabilité de redonner à la société.

Titulaire d'un MBA de l'Université de Sherbrooke, Yanouk détient également un post-MBA axé sur les grands enjeux stratégiques mondiaux. Il est également certifié en coaching exécutif (ACC) par l'International Coaching Federation.
CO-MANAGING PARTNER
Mr. Yanouk Poirier has over 25 years of professional experience and has successfully led numerous missions in executive recruitment, leadership consulting, and board member recruitment for SMEs, large national and international companies. Highly involved, Mr. Poirier sits on the boards of Penrhyn International, Club St-James in Montreal, and the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation. He also serves as a mentor and Governor for the University of Sherbrooke. Yanouk describes himself as a family man, a father, an entrepreneur, and a connector. He deeply believes that we can change the world one leader at a time and that we have a responsibility to give back to society.

Holder of an MBA from the University of Sherbrooke, Yanouk also holds a post-MBA focusing on major global strategic issues. He is certified in executive coaching (ACC) by the International Coaching Federation.

CYNTHIA LABONTÉ, MBA

ASSOCIÉE-DIRECTRICE
Depuis plus de 20 ans, Cynthia Labonté assiste des conseils d'administration et des dirigeants d’entreprises dans la gestion complète des processus de recrutement de cadres exécutifs. Auparavant, elle a dirigé une équipe en recrutement de cadres au sein d’une importante firme de consultation stratégique au Canada.

Elle a réalisé à bien, plus de 350 mandats de recrutement de cadres exécutifs pour des entreprises et des firmes réputées dans les secteurs manufacturier et industriel, de la distribution, du commerce de détail, des services professionnels et des organisations à but non lucratif. Son esprit entrepreneurial et son sens des affaires, lui permettent de reconnaître la culture unique et d’analyser le leadership requis afin de répondre aux enjeux d’affaires de ses clients.

Mme Labonté est membre d’EntreChefs (réseau de plus de 2000 membres d’entrepreneurs au Québec). Cynthia est très impliquée dans la communauté philantropique de Montréal et participe activement à des conseils d’administration et de nombreuses causes locales.

Elle est titulaire d'une double diplomation MBA de l'Université Paris-Dauphine et de l'ESG-UQAM.
CO-MANAGING PARTNER
For over 20 years, Cynthia Labonté has been assisting boards of directors, corporate executives and public organizations in the complete management of executive search processes. Previously, she led a team of senior managers and consultants at a major Canadian strategic consulting and executive search firm.

She has successfully completed over 350 executive search mandates for leading companies and firms in the manufacturing, industrial, distribution, retail, professional services and not-for-profit sectors. Her entrepreneurial spirit, business acumen, rigor and analytical skills are essential attributes that enable her to recognize the unique culture and needs of organizations, and to analyze the leadership required to meet her clients' business challenges.

Ms. Labonté is a member of EntreChefs (a network of over 2,000 entrepreneurs in Quebec). Cynthia is very involved in Montreal's philanthropic community, actively participating on boards and in many local causes.

She holds a double MBA from Université Paris-Dauphine and from ESG-UQAM in Montreal.

ROBIN FERRÉ

CONSULTANT
Robin Ferré est consultant en recherche de cadres exécutifs.

Avant de se joindre à Humanis, Robin a travaillé comme consultant, puis directeur chez un acteur important en recrutement exécutif ou il a œuvré dans des secteurs variés tels que les services professionnels, les technologies ou le secteur manufacturier.

Auparavant, il a travaillé dans diverses organisations en Europe et au Canada, dans des fonctions liées aux ressources humaines et au recrutement.

Durant son temps libre, Robin est très impliqué dans sa communauté. Il est membre du conseil d’administration de la Société Économique de l’Ontario et du conseil d’administration de l’Alliance Française de Toronto.

Il est également un grand amateur de sports de combats qu’il aime pratiquer ou simplement regarder, après un bon diner avec ses proches.

Robin Ferré est titulaire d'un baccalauréat en droit et d'une maîtrise en ressources humaines.
CONSULTANT
Robin Ferré is an executive search consultant.

Prior to joining Humanis, Robin worked as a consultant and then as a director for a major player in executive search in Canada, where he worked in a variety of sectors including professional services, technology and manufacturing.

Prior to this, he worked in various organizations in Europe and Canada, in human resources and recruitment functions.

In his spare time, Robin is very involved in his community. He is a board member of the Société Économique de l’Ontario and the Alliance Française de Toronto.

He's also a big fan of combat sports, which he likes to practice or simply watch after a good dinner with his loved ones.

Robin Ferré holds a bachelor's degree in Law and a master's degree in Human Resources.

MARIA ICAZA

CONSULTANTE
Maria Icaza vient de Mexico et possède plus de 13 ans d'expérience en recrutement de cadres. Elle collabore en continu avec les associés pour le recrutement de cadres supérieurs dans les secteurs manufacturier et distribution, de la vente au détail, des services professionnels et des OBNL. Elle a surtout travaillé sur des mandats au Canada et au Mexique, elle a aussi effectué quelques projets en Europe et aux États-Unis.

Elle a d’excellentes aptitudes relationnelles et sait naturellement attirer des talents de haut niveau. Outre sa passion pour les relations interpersonnelles, elle s’épanouit en apprenant sans cesse. Engagée auprès de la firme, elle comprend le marché des talents et carbure travail d’équipe.

Elle possède un baccalauréat en marketing de la Universidad del Valle de Mexico.

Maria est parle couramment l’espagnol et l’anglais et améliore son français de façon intensive!
CONSULTANT
Maria Icaza is from Mexico City; she has more than 13 years of experience in executive search. She has collaborated with partners on senior management roles up to C-Suite positions in the manufacturing, consumer, retail, pharmaceutical, industrial and professional services industry. She has been working in Mexico and Canada, nevertheless she did some assignments in Latin-America, Europe, and in the United States.

She has strong interpersonal skills and naturally attracts high-caliber talents. Besides her love for connecting with people, she aims to learn new things every day. Committed and devoted to the firm, she understands the talent market and thrives from being part of a team.

She has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Universidad del Valle de Mexico.  

Fluent in Spanish and English, and in French (in development).

STÉPHANIE LAROSE

COORDONNATRICE DE PROJETS
Stéphanie œuvre en communications et en recherche depuis plus de 10 ans. Toujours à l’affût du mot juste, elle se spécialise en rédaction, en traduction et en révision. Elle a également à son actif plusieurs mandats de recherche de candidats. Son sujet de prédilection reste l’humain : l’exploration du potentiel de celui-ci la fascine.

Véritable caméléon, elle navigue au sein d’industries variées et côtoie tant des profils exécutifs qu’artistiques. Sa force réside dans sa curiosité ainsi que son sens de l’écoute de ses collaborateurs.

Titulaire d’un baccalauréat en Lettres modernes de l’Université de Lorraine (France), elle accorde une place importante à la bonification de ses connaissances linguistiques et littéraires. Sensible à l’art sous toutes ses formes et créative, elle tire son inspiration de ceux qui osent sortir du lot.

Mère de deux jeunes enfants, l’éducation et l’ouverture sur le monde restent au cœur de ses priorités. Dans ses temps libres, rien ne la ravit plus que de recevoir à sa table des personnes authentiques et ricaneuses.
PROJECT COORDINATOR
Stéphanie has been working in communications and research for over 10 years. Always looking for the right word, she specialized in writing, translating, and proofreading. She has also worked on many search mandates. Her favourite topic remains human beings: exploring their potential fascinates her.

A true chameleon, she has worked within various industries and still deals equally with executive and artistic profiles. Her strength lies in her curiosity and her listening skills towards her collaborators.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Modern Literature from Université de Lorraine (France) and attaches great importance to improving her linguistic and literary knowledge. Sensitive to art in all its forms and creative, she draws inspiration from those who dare to stand out.

A mother to two young children, education and openness to the world remain at the heart of her priorities. During her free time, nothing pleases her more than to welcome at her table people who are authentic and have a great sense of humour. 

RICHARD BÉLANGER

CONSULTANT SENIOR
Le parcours de Richard Bélanger en tant que gestionnaire de haut niveau lui a permis d'accompagner plusieurs types d'entreprises dans divers secteurs d'activité, principalement en recherche de cadres mais aussi dans leur processus de planification de la relève.

Son expérience de plus de 25 ans dans le domaine du recrutement exécutif a été acquise au sein de sa propre firme ainsi qu’auprès d’une importante firme canadienne de consultation stratégique et de recherche de cadres.

Richard a été président d’une filiale au sein d’un important détaillant et distributeur dans le domaine des produits de consommation et de vente par catalogue au Canada.

Il siège sur différents conseils d’administration et a développé un réseau enviable basé sur ses valeurs personnelles qui sont l’authenticité, la rigueur et le sens de l’éthique. Ses compétences relationnelles et sa capacité d’écoute active combinées à son courage managérial lui permettent de s’assurer de la compréhension des besoins de sa clientèle.
SENIOR CONSULTANT
Richard Bélanger is a senior consultant who has extensive experience in high-level management which has allowed him to support several types of businesses in different industries and sectors, mainly in executive search but also in their succession planning process.

His experience of more than 25 years in the field of executive recruitment was acquired within his own firm as well as with a major Canadian strategic consulting and executive search firm.

Richard was President of a subsidiary of a key retailer and distributor of consumer products and catalog sales in Canada.

He serves on different Boards of Administration and has developed an enviable network based on his personal values which are authenticity, rigor, and a sense of ethics. His people skills and his ability to actively listen combined with his managerial courage allow him to ensure that the needs of his customers are understood.
Richard Bélanger
514.808.6084