Flavour of the Month: Cinnamon
We asked Allison our LFS Career Strategist about her favourite flavour!
What is your favourite flavour and why?
One of my favourite activities as a child was baking with my mom. Her specialty is cinnamon buns so there was often a smell of cinnamon and brown sugar wafting in our home. Cinnamon will always be my favourite “flavour” because of that (but no raisins please!).
How long have you worked in LFS and what is your role?
I am approaching my one year anniversary as LFS Career Strategist at LFS Student Services. I work primarily with undergraduate students in LFS, helping them navigate their career decision-making and prepare for life after LFS. I advise students one-on-one, create and run workshops and develop digital content to support their career learning, including our very own podcast, Career Carrots.
How has your experience as a UBC alum influenced your work and perspective within LFS?
I was the first person in my extended family to attend university and this colours everything I do. Beyond learning about artists and their work, my degree gave me the chance to study the world from a visual lens. I like to think of art history as an interdisciplinary degree – there’s political science, psychology, philosophy, literature, history and more all entwined in it. Today I use my strengths in critical analysis and design (both strengthened through my degree) with my desire to see a more equitable, accessible world to try to help others overcome their own challenges towards making the impact they want to have.
What activities, programs, and extracurricular activities were you involved in as a UBC student?
Not unlike many of our LFS students, I was an eager and highly engaged student (at times to my own detriment). Because attending university was such an important thing to me, I felt like I had to do and see everything. I got involved in my departmental undergraduate society, volunteered at the Belkin Art Gallery, worked in student residence and even edited The Point magazine at UBC Rec (I’m not athletic so this really goes to show how much our peers can influence us). One thing I wanted to do and never did was to join CiTR, run by the Student Radio Society at UBC, and write for their Discorder Magazine.
BA Arts, 2010 (Art History and Visual Culture)
What is the highlight of working in the LFS Student Services team?
I have been working in career development for nearly a decade now, but being able to work in the same office as the academic advising team, student engagement team and our own LFS student staff is very special. This integrated approach to student services is unique and (in my opinion) the best possible way to support student success. Plus, we have the best puns!
Do you have some top tips for our new young alumni of the Class of 2024?
My top tip is to remember that it’s about you, but it’s also about your future employer. In other words, when applying to jobs and networking, don’t drone on about everything you’ve ever done. Focus on making connections instead. When networking, look to be as interested in other people as you are in telling them about yourself. Ask questions and engage them. When you write your job applications, communicate your skills and experiences in relation to the opportunity. How have you been prepared to succeed in this particular role? What about joining this team or company interests you? Communicate these things in your application and interview. Never leave it to them to figure out how your experience relates to this new opportunity. Tell them directly.
And finally, where on campus is your go-to place to eat and/or place to relax?
I really love Bean Around the World! It helps that it’s close to Macmillan, but it also helps that they have great sandwiches, lots of space, a pretty outdoor area and delicious chai lattes.