University of Toronto alumni Kate Conway and Ren Zhu graduated years apart but found themselves facing a similar daunting challenge during the same moment in history — finding work in a pandemic.
Conway’s plans to transition into a new career were derailed when COVID-19 hit the economy, 10 years after her 2009 graduation with a bachelor of arts in theatre and drama from the University of Toronto Mississauga. Meanwhile, Zhu was struggling to find work after graduating in 2020 with a PhD in mathematics.
They both turned to Palette Skills, a national non-profit organization partly funded by the federal government that is partnering with U of T and other universities and business organizations to address a growing skills gap in the Canadian economy.
Faculty of Arts & Science Dean Melanie Woodin is a member of the board of directors of the consortium, whose mission is to develop industry-led accelerated training programs aimed at rapidly transitioning Canadians into high-demand roles in industries that are poised to emerge from the pandemic, ready to thrive and grow.
Conway recently started a new role as a business development representative at restaurant software company TouchBistro after completing Palette’s SalesCamp program, which provides online sales training and connections to hiring managers, sales leaders, career coaches and salespeople working at fast-growing companies.
After participating in Palette’s accelerated cybersecurity training program — designed for graduates with quantitative degrees and advanced computing skills — Zhu was hired by Deloitte Canada as a data protection and privacy consultant.
We spoke to them recently about their experience.
What challenges did you encounter in your job search during the pandemic?
Conway: I was at a crossroads and looking to transition into something new, but right when I made that decision, the pandemic hit. I wasn't sure what I was going to do but I knew I wanted something different. Then a friend found Palette and recommended it to me.
Zhu: I was having a really difficult time — companies were telling me they were in a hiring freeze or cutting back. I also found it harder to connect with people. It would have been easier if I could have done my job search in person instead of over the internet or Zoom.
How did Palette help?
Conway: I was looking for a way to grow and develop my skills. SalesCamp changed my perception of what working in sales could be and showed me it can be a great career. I also learned I am stronger and more capable than I give myself credit for. The best thing was the support from everyone. It was the perfect safe space to fail because you could only go up from there, and everyone involved wanted to build you up.
Zhu: The cybersecurity training program gave me a comprehensive look into cybersecurity from many perspectives, both theoretical and in practice. The program really encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone, both in terms of challenging myself to learn a completely new field and in terms of job searching, like interviewing skills, resume writing and reaching out to people. I learned a lot about cybersecurity and it was hugely helpful for my job search.
How did your U of T education and experiences help?
Conway: I was able to use my acting experience as well as the training I got through a very intense program at U of T to actually get a really good job. The theatre program at U of T kept you constantly busy, you always had something to work toward. It was very challenging. But it was also a lot of teamwork as well. You were relying on your fellow students and your professors to help you get through it and be successful. And just when we were leaving it, they said: “You know, this program was difficult, but the real world is going to be just as difficult. So, we hope you took advantage of everything that was offered, because you are now going to have to apply it to your life.”
Zhu: My experiences at U of T studying and researching mathematics over the years really helped me with how to approach and solve problems. It also let me pick up new concepts quite quickly, which was important because of the high pace of the Palette program. And for some parts of the program, especially cryptography, I think a lot of people may have found trouble with it, but because of my background, studying mathematics, and especially number theory, it was a topic that was quite familiar. And I think the fact I had a math PhD from U of T was really important to the team was that hiring me, so that was a plus for me.
What advice to students and fellow alumni?
Conway: Once you've committed to what you want for a career, you’re going to have to do a lot of hard work, and you're going to sometimes be apprehensive about whether this choice you’ve made is the right thing to do. Those are the emotions that come with going after any career. What you really need to focus on is your attitude. It should be: "Let's get at it. Let's get there. Let's get to the finish line." Once you've completed something that you've set your mind to, even if you've struggled along the way, you'll feel a sense of accomplishment, and that will push you to the next thing.
Zhu: Keep your options open and try to find out opportunities as they come. If you're thinking of remaining in academia, that's great. But even if you're not, there are opportunities in industry, even if the work might not be directly related to whatever your research is. Your experiences in your studies and your research will come in handy. And the climate for jobs right now is maybe more difficult because of the pandemic. But don't be discouraged, there are opportunities out there and you can find them.