Hello, readers! My name is Courtney Crites, and as a recent graduate from McMaster University, where I earned my Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree, I’m now on the cusp of such an exciting new chapter in my life. In the fall, I’ll be attending Humber College for their Public Relations Graduate Certificate program, a step forward in pursuing my passion for effective communication. Alongside my studies, I currently work as a content creator for Outcome Campus Connect, where I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the remarkable impact this platform has had on me.
As I reflect on my journey being a student content creator with Outcome Campus Connect (OCC) for the last 10 months, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the invaluable experience I have gained. It’s so special for me to get to share my personal journey of growth and the impact working for OCC has had on shaping my path from a student content creator and now a well-prepared new graduate.
Let’s dive in, shall we?:
- Discovering the Power of Student Voices: Outcome Campus Connect is a platform dedicated solely to the growth and development of university and college students/grads. From the moment I became a part of this small but mighty content team, I realized the significance of amplifying student voices much like my own. Being a content creator for OCC has provided such a safe space where I could freely express my thoughts, insights and experiences on a platform that valued my perspective. This not only helped me develop my unique voice but also exposed me to diverse viewpoints and inspired meaningful conversations within our OCC community.
Sharing my personal opinion: Extracurricular Experience Makes You a Candidate in a League of Your Own - Connecting and Collaborating: Outcome Campus Connect has been so instrumental in developing my confidence in fostering connections and facilitating collaborations among my peers and industry professionals. Exploring OCC’s job board during my most recent job search provided me with such a wealth of opportunities to explore internships, part-time jobs, and even full-time post-grad positions. By expanding my ability to network through my work as a content creator (especially through connecting with individuals to inform written pieces), I’ve been able to seek guidance and build a robust professional network, which I feel so lucky to have as I begin my transition from student to graduate.
A must-read externally informed piece: Student Self-Care Advice from Psychotherapist Victoria Emanuele - Bridging the Gap: As I wrap up my time as an undergraduate student, I feel so lucky to be an OCC content creator, mainly for the transformative impact it’s had on my personal growth. Orbis and OCC’s commitment to empowering students and graduates has nurtured my potential, honed my skills as a writer and content creator, and instilled in me the confidence to embrace new challenges. Thanks to the invaluable experiences and resources provided to be my OCC over the last 10 months (and hopefully many more to come!), I feel so well-equipped to make a meaningful contribution in my field (marketing and PR) and shape a promising future.
A piece I’m proud of: How to Email Effectively in your Job Search
Final Thoughts
If you would’ve told me in August 2022 that I would be the writer I am today, I don’t know that I would’ve bought it. OCC has allowed me to grow immensely both personally and professionally and I look forward to continuing to work with them, improving every week as both a writer and content creator!