Katelyn Cortina is a fifth-year Marketing Management student and the outgoing President of the Lang Students' Association. Below, Katelyn explains how her experience on the LSA, JDCC Lang, DECA U Guelph and the Guelph Entrepreneurship Society helped her get her current summer position of Trade Marketing Intern with Labatt Breweries.

What courses helped you the most in obtaining this position?  

"Lang Commerce has provided many opportunities for the growth and development of my professional skills. From learning soft skills in my first year competing in the Great Ethical Dilemma in MGMT 1000 and gaining more technical knowledge in coursework such as Operations Management, Statistics for Business Decisions and Business Communication, I have learned lots of skills that have used throughout my co-op experiences. In the courses that I mentioned, I learned about project management and data analytics that helped me obtain this position. I was able to learn about how a business functions, and leveraged that to show that I can lead a project and make an impact on the business."

What has been your most memorable experience at Lang/UofG so far? 

"The highlight of my University experience so far has been the opportunity to be involved with the Lang community on the Lang Students’ Association and as a delegate on JDCC Lang. It has pushed me outside of my comfort zone and taught me many skills that I’ve used to help me secure various co-op opportunities. I helped put on various events such as our Lang Sustainability Conference, Movember fundraisers and stress busters. I’ve met tons of wonderful students and made friends that will last a lifetime, all while boosting my skills and resume. 

More specifically, in my first year at JDCC Lang, I was on the Digital Strategy team and got to travel to Brock University to compete in the annual competition. I had the opportunity to network with a few Labatt employees and that’s what truly sparked my interest in applying to Labatt and has been one of my favourite memories to date!"

What is your advice to new students at Lang Commerce? 

"Get involved! When I first entered University I was very nervous about the transition from high school to university, but getting involved with clubs on campus really allowed me to excel in my growth both personally and professionally. Through these clubs, I was able to meet students in various majors and years that helped me navigate through the University experience and coursework. On top of this, I was given incredible opportunities to lead teams, network and gain business experiences that I used to leverage in interviews. Don’t be afraid to take risks and step outside of your comfort zone here at Lang - we have a large support network that will help you work towards your goals and ensure that you are set up for success!"