Hey NYC! Look out, here comes SABRINA ESHOO!

When I was seven years old I immigrated to Canada from Iraq, choosing to take advantage of the education offered here, not just in classes but actively seeking out anything that could expand my knowledge on a variety of topics. Throughout my life I have always had a passion for the creative side of life, seeing beauty and art as a part of everyday life, and using them to enhance my learning experience.

With the same voracity with which I took to loving art, I too threw myself into the analytical side of things, taking classes in civil engineering. I have always been a critical thinker, and have managed to accumulate a strategic way of approaching any problem, not relying solely on typical guidelines. Thinking ‘outside of the box’ is a saying that has never applied to me, because for me there never was a box to begin with, thinking critically with a creative flair is simply a part of who I am.

Currently being a student in Integrated Marketing Communications, I found myself staring out over the vastness that is social media with a feeling that can only be described as hunger. I understand when some people describe themselves as social butterflies, but to me, I am a social shark with a forever famished feeling. Social media is a forever evolving and changing way of reaching out to audiences, and being delicate can only reach so far.

I am, for lack of a better word, a “Jacqueline” of all trades, with a plethora of skills that can be put to use in any situation, or job title, that may come before me. Attending PivotCon is not only a chance to explore and meet professionals in my desired field of work, but a way for me to acquire more skills, adding them to my arsenal.

                                   

Take me to Pivot! - Introducing Jenny Orsatti

Only 5 days now until I have the amazing, one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel to New York City with 4 of my friends/colleagues/classmates I have had the amazing opportunity to get to know over the past 2 and a half years. We have learned so much together, and have shared a lot of unforgettable experiences and memories together. This conference will be another experience I can add to memory lane.

My name is Jennifer Orsatti, I was born and raised in Mississauga, Ontario - just outside of Toronto - also known as the GTA. After finding out about the IMC program at St. Lawrence College, I knew that this was what I was meant to do. I still can vividly remember the first week of school of being so nervous and literally just diving into the program. Sink or swim right? The professors were there for all of the students - and always have been, allowing us to test the water of Marketing and Advertising. Over the past two and half years, I know that we, as a program, are very lucky to have the professors we have for all of our classes. Each one is always striving to do their best in making sure we are learning the most up-to-date trends in the world of Advertising, and being able to participate and attend events that will benefit us for our future paths and careers.

Luckily, I was able to pick up a Marketing job after completing my first year of the program. Instead of going home and picking up a part-time job back in Mississauga, I chose to take this opportunity and take this Marketing job here in Kingston with The Kingston Economic Development Corporation. Sink or swim, right? After being part of FUSE (a mentoring program in our program), I was able to obtain this job through my mentor - who I can never thank enough for this job opportunity. I was able to learn and mature a huge amount. I was able to develop experience, talent and confidence within the world of Marketing from my first Summer Marketing job.

Another amazing experience I had was with my second year placement. I decided to go out on a limb and cold call a company that was just recently new to Kingston. With that cold call, I was able to communicate through email, and even got an interview with the Account Coordinator. From that, I was able to secure a placement position with this company. This experience was undeniably amazing. The knowledge and experience I gained from this company is unexplainable. I was able to see how an agency worked, and it allowed to see what type of job I want for myself when I graduate - which is exactly what I got to experience at this company. Once my 3-week placement was finished, I carried on a voluntary position with the company because I knew I would continue to learn new things about the field, which I most definitely did!

I then took on another job with the Kingston Economic Development Corporation and the Entrepreneur Centre, where I was the Online Marketing Specialist. I was able to develop and schedule creative content on the different Social Media Platforms of the Entrepreneur Centre, along with other tasks. I have maintained this position through the summer and continue to work part-time during school.

I am looking forward to travelling to New York City and taking in all of the information that will be offered at the conference so that I can prepare myself for the successful future that is awaiting!

Take me to the Pivot!
(like 'Take me to the Riot' - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxeIivNDtFU)

We're Back!

Students are busy getting ready to attend the Pivot Conference again this year - in just two weeks!

This year there's a new spin on the partnership and on the fundraising to get there. One of the best new parts is that students that don't make the trek to NYC will still be participating... and learning (says the prof :-). The attending students will be hosting Google Hangouts for the students back in KTown on topics and interviews from those they meet at the conference. Sponsors and partners that helped the students get there will also be invited to participate in these discussions.

After the conference students will put their newly learned digital media skills to work to develop a new and cutting edge digital and live fashion show with a little flash mob thrown in. Phew - that's a lot to say.. and do.

So stay tuned, help out if you can, and send your words of encouragement to our students keen to learn.