Home > Blog > 2020 > Holland College graduate encourages students to get out of their comfort zone

Holland College graduate encourages students to get out of their comfort zone

Laura Deagle (Younker)
Marketing and Advertising Management 2015

Laura came to Holland College to take the Tourism and Travel Management program, focusing on Event Management, and to play soccer for the Hurricanes. When she graduated from the two-year program, she enrolled in the college’s Marketing and Advertising Management program and spent another year focusing on learning all she could about the field.

“I love the courses I took at Holland College, [they] gave me a great idea on how the marketing industry operates. What interests me most is that you get to connect with lots of people. It’s one of the most creative industries out there and I believe it’s vital that all businesses engage in marketing efforts,” she said.

When she graduated from Marketing and Advertising in 2015, she took advantage of a degree pathway agreement between Holland College and Mount Saint Vincent University to enter the business program. Graduates from the Marketing and Advertising program at Holland College receive two years of credit toward a Bachelor of Business Administration degree at MSVU.  

“I graduated with my BBA majoring in Marketing in 2017. While writing my final exams, I was offered a summer position with Cavendish Beach Music Festival as a Marketing and Ticketing Coordinator. After the summer was over, I quickly found a position at the PEI Liquor Control Commission, where I spent 18 months in the marketing department. From there, I transferred over to the PEI Cannabis division as a Category Manager in March of 2019 and have been there since.:

“As Category Manager, I’m responsible for managing our portfolio of products, coordinating cannabis product development strategies and working closely with our licensed producers.”

She credits her ability to find a job so quickly on the way the Holland College programs prepared her for the workforce.

“With the volunteer work and on-the-job training that both programs provided, they actually gave me real experience and allowed me to network and build relationships in the workforce.”

Her advice to Holland College students preparing to graduate?

 “Don’t sell yourself short. If you see a job that interests you, you need to apply. In order to grow as an individual and in your career, you need to go outside of your comfort zone and take chances.”

 


For more information, please contact:
Sara Underwood, Media and Communications Officer
Tel: 902-566-9695
Date: February 03, 2020