As students across Canada break free from the confines of their campus libraries, we wanted to take a look at the 11/12 school year and shine a light on a few notable students. So much of what student life is all about now is getting involved and earning valuable real life experiences – outside of the classroom. What’s that you say? Aren’t I going to school to learn in the classroom? Well yes…and no.

Post –secondary students are becoming increasingly involved with progressives programs, challenges and opportunities that aim to make student life bigger and better.  This is something that Canada’s Next Top Ad Exec (CNTAE) has fully embraced. Started in 2007 by the DeGroote School of Business, CNTAE was founded on the principles of bridging the gap between learning’s in the classroom and application in real industry.  CNTAE brings Canada’s top students together and into the real world of advertising – or at least the world outside the classroom.

Partnered with Chevrolet, the 2012 competition challenged teams to develop an integrated marketing communications strategy for the launch of the 2013 Chevrolet Spark in major Canadian urban centers. Up for grabs in first place was the grand prize of two 2013 Chevrolet Sparks which was awarded to the winning duo who hail from McMaster University, Kailee Jaimeson and Ryan Moran!  We caught up with them in the early morning after their big win and it was clear that the excitement was fresh in their voices. “Being a part this opportunity has been so surreal” said Kailee, “it has been an absolute blast doing this with Ryan and I think I can speak for both of us by saying that it really has made everything we’ve done in the classroom become so much more significant.”

These students have been hard at work since January designing, creating, strategizing and envisioning what they would want Chevrolet to tell them about the new Spark. The amazing runner up duo of Elizabeth Harris and Emily Dimytosh from Queen’s University, and third place pair, Christopher Larryant and Veronica Yeung from University of British Columbia, all agreed. “It’s so important for companies to get involved with student life to present opportunities like [CNTAE]” declared Emily Dimytosh. This program is a great example of merging the relationships between consumer and brand to form an authentic relationship.

“If I had the opportunity to tell a first year student about the one thing they needed to do when they got to University it would be to seek opportunities and get involved outside of class” said Veronica Yeung. The CampusPerks team agrees – In the last 2 school years we have hooked up students with not only exclusive opportunities, national recognition and some fun challenges along the way. We have also been able to reward these students with over $620,000 in sponsorship and scholarships.

Stand out on campus and get involved. To find out about how to get involved with Canada’s Next Top Ad Exec for 2013 and more info on this past years program and winners head to their website here.

If you want to find out about some exclusive opportunities right now check out CampusPerks.ca or comment below and we’ll fill you in on how to get involved right now!

Photos Provided By: Lucas Scarfone

Creativity isn’t something that most people can ignite on demand.  It’s not a cup of coffee that you can take to just wake you up.  It’s not a pile of laundry that will just grow day by day.  It’s not like that slice of cake you’ve been saving in your fridge for those serious pick-me-up times.  However do stay hungry, because creativity is energy, a fire and a spark that you have to feed. And like a plate of food, creativity can go cold fast, especially as a university student, and as student interested in art, you might feel like your portfolio is going stale. True story.

As I write this blog, I am sitting in the atrium of my school’s Business building surrounded by aspiring chartered accountants, destined marketers, and sleepless co-op kids. I am one of them. What most people wouldn’t guess about me is that I was this close to accepting an early offer for a highly-regarded Studio Fine Arts program.  I flirted with the idea of going into art so much that I even ordered a Pratt Institute School of Art and Design Admission Package by mail from Brooklyn before setting my foot down on the greenest grass of Wilfrid Laurier University.  I tip-toed the line from one end of the spectrum to the other.

Fortunately, I haven’t looked back since and I absolutely love my university for every experience I’ve had and for how it has shaped me.  Perhaps I am content because I still dabble in art and work in my sketchbooks from time to time, always kindling that creative spark and never letting go. I simple don’t want to. And why would I? For the love of all things good, keep that creativity because it’ll help you out and be applicable in areas you’ve never imagined (academic and professional). Also true story.

Here are my tips on how to hold onto that creative spark:

1.      Seek out new experiences. Nothing will spark the mind like trying something new and learning along the way while pushing your limits. Yes: try that sushi, take up a language class, pick up photographing for the school. It will get your mind working outside of its regular patterns.

2.      Check out artists (local or online). Musical, visual, sculpture, etc. Art is alive and well wherever you go, whether you live in a smaller student town or a bustling big city. Make it an adventure, meet some talented people, admire and be inspired. Also, the internet is a window to the world of art. So many blogs! News! Portfolios! No excuses!

3.      Take a walk with your camera phone. Simple. I’m from Toronto, and I would often do this on my way home from work downtown. Just absorb everything that’s going around you and be an observer and go ahead and people-watch. Take some shots with your phone and keep an eye out for angles and other artistic approaches.  Great way to be in the moment and appreciate your city for what it is.

4.      Be creative for your own reasons. Don’t do it just for the sake of adding something to your portfolio or filling up sketchbook sheets.  Avoid killing the fun by taking time to do projects that are just for you and find the beauty of things in your own right.

5.      Don’t burn out creatively in school. Regardless of whatever you’re studying, make sure you don’t burn out creatively or academically. Be in the moment, sketch often, stay healthy, take photos and see beyond the horizon. This is your life, and like art, it is what you make of it.

That being said, let’s get real. Honesty corner: I miss doing art which is why I take every opportunity I have in my busy schedule to do so.  I miss the tangibility of creating something right before my eyes, the feeling of being proud of something that can speak volumes without words, and the experimentation and visual-aesthetical freedom to do whatever you want. Paint the world. Develop that film. Carte blanche. It is all yours. Never stop doing something you love, and never give up on the power of passion and creativity.

-Written by Judy @ WLU

Established in over 100 countries with the vision to empower young people for peace and the fulfillment of human kind’s potential, AIESEC has become the largest student-run organization in the world with a local chapter in many cities.

AIESEC strives to provide unique life experiences for its members through global opportunities that challenge them to develop important life skills and cultivate them to become cosmopolitan leaders through conferences, workshops and training. Among the many volunteer and internship opportunities in AIESEC, students have the opportunity to play a major role in the organization by getting involved in the executive board of their local chapter. During a recent interview with Sarah Guinta, Guelph’s AIESEC current Local Committee President, Sarah spoke about her leadership experience in this organization.

“There is no standard formula for leadership because AIESEC fosters it in a unique way, in which AIESEC gives you the platform and you write your own story.” Sarah’s description of the organization embodies its core message of promoting leadership autonomy among young people. Her story at AIESEC unfolded when, only after joining the organization for two months, she embarked on her leadership path to become the Vice President of Communications in her chapter. From there she has taken on a myriad of other challenging roles, which have allowed Sarah to identify strengths she did not know she had, and the ability to overcome her weaknesses. “AIESEC is a unique organization that forces you to step outside of your comfort zone. And everyone has the potential to do interesting things to raise the bar.”

Being a part of AIESEC, Sarah has learned more as a member than she has in her school curriculum. She discovered that with each conference she participated in, either as a delegate or a facilitator, she was able to expand her network and use her skills in a practical setting. Having recently attended EuroCo in the Czech Republic with other Local Committee Presidents from all over the world, she was able to put into perspective the commonalities that all these global leaders had.

During this conference, Sarah was able to gain new perspectives when she was able to witness on a macro level the impact of their collective efforts on the global society. At the same time she was able to remain a unique individual at the local level. For example, the Local Committee President of Germany later contacted her in search for internships available for the engineers of AIESEC Germany. Sarah quickly realized just how connected her extensive international network was in the world after responding back to AIESEC Germany’s needs. She and her colleagues are now able to discover opportunities that would have otherwise not been available and capitalize on their new found friendships.

Sarah is close to the end of her presidential term, but she feels she experienced much more than she had bargained for. Before we parted ways, she recited a quote from the famous Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw, “The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.”

Written by Susanne @ Guelph University