Building Connections: Connor's Journey from College to a Career in Sports
In this episode of the College and Career Ready Podcast, Coach Sonia welcomes Connor Potkonjak, a fourth-year commerce and international business student at the University of Victoria, British Columbia. Connor shares his process of building crucial connections within the sports industry, including how a LinkedIn cold message inspired by the College and Career Ready Podcast led him to a meaningful info session with Yvette Yzaguirre from the Seattle Mariners. He discusses the importance of mentorship, persistence, and understanding one's 'why' in navigating career opportunities. Tune in to learn valuable tips for transitioning from college to a career and the significance of nurturing professional relationships.
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:43 Meet Connor Pockinjack
02:44 Building Connections on LinkedIn
07:14 Transitioning from High School to College
12:06 The Importance of Mentorship
13:07 Connecting with Yvette Izaguirre
18:09 Connor's Career Journey and Advice
21:27 Closing Remarks and Farewell
Connect with Connor:
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/connor-potkonjak
Instagram: connorpotkonjak
Episodes mentioned with Yvette Yzaguirre:
Episode #51 and #52: https://collegecareerready.org/podcast
Career Connections Summer Course
✔ Define interests, abilities & career goals ✔ Explore employment opportunities and trends ✔ Create your LinkedIn profile ✔ Establish S.M.A.R.T goals ✔ Create a personalized roadmap
It is a 5-week Self-Paced Online Course w/ Weekly Virtual Group Sessions; first group session starts July 15th.
For more info: www.CollegeCareerReady.org/Course
In this episode of the College and Career Ready Podcast, Coach Sonia welcomes Connor Potkonjak, a fourth-year commerce and international business student at the University of Victoria, British Columbia. Connor shares his process of building crucial connections within the sports industry, including how a LinkedIn cold message inspired by the College and Career Ready Podcast led him to a meaningful info session with Yvette Yzaguirre from the Seattle Mariners. He discusses the importance of mentorship, persistence, and understanding one's 'why' in navigating career opportunities. Tune in to learn valuable tips for transitioning from college to a career and the significance of nurturing professional relationships.
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:43 Meet Connor Pockinjack
02:44 Building Connections on LinkedIn
07:14 Transitioning from High School to College
12:06 The Importance of Mentorship
13:07 Connecting with Yvette Izaguirre
18:09 Connor's Career Journey and Advice
21:27 Closing Remarks and Farewell
Connect with Connor:
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/connor-potkonjak
Instagram: connorpotkonjak
Episodes mentioned with Yvette Yzaguirre:
Episode #51 and #52: https://collegecareerready.org/podcast
Career Connections Summer Course
✔ Define interests, abilities & career goals ✔ Explore employment opportunities and trends ✔ Create your LinkedIn profile ✔ Establish S.M.A.R.T goals ✔ Create a personalized roadmap
It is a 5-week Self-Paced Online Course w/ Weekly Virtual Group Sessions; first group session starts July 15th.
For more info: www.CollegeCareerReady.org/Course
Connect with Sonia Cacique
LinkedIn
Instagram
Join our College and Career Connections Club for free at www.CollegeCareerReady.org/join
Learn about our Career Connections Course: www.CollegeCareerReady.org/COURSE
"Stay well, be present, and enjoy the journey"
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Connor (00:00):
Hi, I'm Connor Pockinjack and you're listening
(00:02):
to the college and career readypodcast.
Sonia (00:36):
Welcome everyone.
Welcome to the college andcareer ready podcast.
on today's episode, we haveConnor.
Connor is a fourth year studentat the university of Victoria,
British Columbia.
He has a passion for pursuing acareer within the sports
industry.
Connor reached out to me andconnected with me on LinkedIn
after hearing two of myepisodes, number 50 and 51,
(01:00):
where I interviewed YvetteIzaguirre, she's a senior
activation specialist with theSeattle Mariners, and he
connected with me to express hisgratitude.
For that episode, because bylistening to Yvette's story, he
was inspired to connect with herdirectly for an info session.
And from there he has continuedto build and leverage his
(01:21):
connections and theseconnections will hopefully lend
him to his first careeropportunity.
Welcome Connor.
Welcome to the college andcareer ready podcast.
Connor (01:31):
Hi, thank you so much for having me.
Sonia (01:33):
And you are just in the perfect time because you are
soon to graduate, so we get togo back in time and, share with
our audience, our listenersabout your trajectory in
building connections for yourfuture career plans.
But introduce yourself to ouraudience.
Tell us a little bit aboutyourself.
Connor (01:53):
Yeah, so I'm originally from Olympia, Washington.
so just about an hour south ofSeattle.
I grew up, you know, it's apretty small community.
So a K through eight and then ahigh school, also local there,
never moved.
That's my hometown, you know,tried and true.
and then I'm a dual citizen aswell.
So I'm a dual citizen betweenCanada and the U S which has
allowed me to pursue aneducation at the university of
(02:14):
Victoria.
I've had a great four yearsstudying in the commerce and
business program, and recently aspecialization in international
business.
So that's been great.
I met a lot of great people.
I've also been lucky enough togo to school with a couple of my
family members, which not a lotof people get to do.
and then I'm off into graduationcome about a month from now.
(02:35):
So that's a bit exciting.
And I've began the jobapplication process and continue
to build on network connectionsand hopefully leverage those in
the future.
Sonia (02:43):
Yeah.
And, you know, tell me a littlebit about that.
When did you started realizingthe importance of building
connections?
Connor (02:51):
I had met a lot of older, so I have an older
brother, which, you know,initially helps with a lot of
high school and that wholetransition process.
But I had an older brother whohad a lot of friends, who were
moving into the collegetransition zone.
And they had told me a storythat they had bought LinkedIn
premium and sent a couplehundred messages to just
companies that they would liketo work for.
(03:11):
You know, they made a list andthey sent it out.
And ultimately ended up gettingan internship and a job for a
company in California and he'smoved to California and he's
worked for them.
So that kind of success storywas, a bit of an eye opener.
And, uh, from then I kind ofjust picked, you know, did the
same process, found people, youknow, a little bit more locally
that I'd like to work for.
(03:32):
sent messages, told them a bitabout myself and kind of started
from there and it's had a greatreturn overall.
So.
I love it.
When did you start this processof connecting on LinkedIn?
I would say seriously, I gotinto it not long ago.
probably my 2nd year ofuniversity is when I kind of,
you know, started sending thosecold messages.
It was a bit of a, uh,ambitious, you know, I was
(03:55):
afraid of hearing the no and notgetting response.
That's kind of what's alwaysprevented me.
But as soon as I started and.
I think one person gave me ayes.
It was go from there.
Sonia (04:05):
Oh my goodness.
I love that.
So tell me a little bit abouthow you started.
So you created your LinkedInprofile.
How did you start targeting?
How did you narrow down to yoursearch?
Connor (04:16):
so I don't know if it's similar between the U.
S.
and Canada, but I know in the U.
S.
when I was in high school, Icompeted in DECA.
And so that was been superhelpful.
And that's kind of the age thatI set up a LinkedIn profile,
but, you know, never posted,never liked anything.
and then came back to it myfreshman year at university and
really.
You know, set it up, made itlook nice, kind of started
(04:37):
connecting with people, andgoing from there.
And the first people that I kindof targeted, I think I was a
bit, uh, out of my umbrella.
I went for a local team.
So like, you know, Seattle'sbecome a Mecca of metropolitan
sports with, you know, the crackin and the sounders and the
Seahawks and the Mariners.
So I just kind of went tocompanies.
(04:58):
Or, uh, teams like those to seewho I can pick on.
And I think I was a bitambitious cause the first couple
of people I went for like COOsor like, you know, top
department people, which may notbe the, the best approach, but
kind of narrowed down,eventually and found people who
were willing to help.
Okay.
Sonia (05:14):
you, from the beginning, you knew you were going to
target sports industry, correct?
Connor (05:18):
Yeah.
Sonia (05:19):
Okay.
Yeah.
Okay.
And you started doing LinkedInmessages.
Is that how you connected?
Tell us a little bit about whatthat looked like.
Connor (05:29):
Yeah.
So I found out, uh, probably mysecond year university that you
can connect with someone onLinkedIn, but you can also send
a personalized invite, underthat more options.
So for me, under the freeversion that I still use, I get
like four free personalizedinvites a month.
so I make sure I find fourreally targeted specific people
(05:49):
that I do a lot of research andto kind of see, how they got
there, why they got there, whatthey do, if it's what I want to
do, and then eventually crack.
It's a 200 word, you know,limit.
And so I just kind of coldmessage someone and say, Hey,
saw your job, saw yourtransition period, you know,
really interested in what you doand would love to chat.
Sonia (06:08):
Awesome.
I bet those no's or no responsefeels uncomfortable, but what
about when you get a yes in aresponse?
How's that feeling?
Connor (06:17):
Oh, I like social interaction, but even I get
nervous from a yes.
So I think that's an overallpositive thing at the end all is
that, you know, nervous meansthat you care and that you're
excited.
So, and then I've also had a fewpeople who four months ago by
and I'm like, yeah, you know,maybe that wasn't the right
person.
Maybe I didn't get a yes, ormaybe I didn't get a response.
And then all of a sudden they'llsay, Hey, just saw this.
(06:37):
You know, would you love tochat?
And it's like, yeah, I wouldlike, that would be great.
So I love
Sonia (06:44):
that.
So in LinkedIn, you already knewwhat job titles you were looking
for.
I'm assuming
Connor (06:50):
from high school and from my early university years,
I wasn't, you know, certain I'dalways had a passion for
business.
I've always heard growing upthat and learning from decades,
sports is a very saturated andit's pretty competitive industry
to get into.
So I, that always moved me in adifferent direction and try to
focus on something else.
But eventually I came back to itand I decided, yeah, I think
(07:10):
that's what I'm going to try andpursue.
So.
Sonia (07:13):
I love that.
I love that.
So let's, since you mentionedhigh school, what do you feel
was the hardest part for youtransitioning from high school
to college?
Connor (07:22):
I think it was interesting, you know, it may
not be a lot of academic issuesthat I had.
But I'm talking aboutconnections, and what that means
to me is, like, I think there'sa lot of value, you know, not
necessarily in numbers, theamount of people that you're
able to connect with, but thetype of connections that you
have with a smaller group.
And I think when you hituniversity, there's that kind of
social stigma that comes back inthat says, you know, I need to
(07:44):
be Mr.
Popular, or I need to knoweverybody, or, you know, it's
like, you're starting fromsquare one, and it's everybody
needs to know everybody, but.
The friends that I'm stillfriends with today, out of my
four years at university, arethe small group of people with
like minded values that I madein first year.
and I think that's really helpedme.
And then also finding you know,people who want to grow in the
(08:06):
same way as me.
And so that transition from, youknow, high school, you have your
friend group, especially me,where it's a very local, you
know, community built, uh, areato then it's, you know, people
from all around the world comingto meet up with you again.
I think that stigma I struggledwith a bit.
Sonia (08:24):
How did you find your specific groups of individuals?
So if you go back in time andwalk us through, what was your
best target or the best strategyto find the people to connect
with?
Connor (08:36):
Uh, well, one, first off definitely took some time.
yeah.
I think I can say I'm very luckybecause, uh, I had two cousins
who are from Vancouver, BritishColumbia, and they both also
went to the University ofVictoria for their first year.
So I had two of my familymembers who are my age on
campus, so they're pretty muchbuilt in friends, you know, you
can't go wrong there.
(08:57):
and they obviously knew otherpeople from the area who were,
coming to the school and thenover time a couple people
transferred, a couple peoplemoved, but I got really, uh,
deep rooted into things likeintramurals or like
extracurricular activities.
Kind of just going out andtrying new things that might be
outside of my comfort zone.
Cause there's probably kidsdoing the same thing.
(09:18):
and you know, I ended up findingmy girlfriend at the school.
She had a bunch of friends sheintroduced me to.
and overall it just kind ofslowly expanded and, you know,
as people went on and peoplehave moved, I've kept in touch
with people who are reallyimportant to me.
So,
Sonia (09:32):
yeah.
So do you think for students, doyou think it's better for them
to.
Reach out to people who theyfeel are similar to them.
Or do you think it's moreadvantageous to open your doors
to opportunities andextracurriculars that you might
have not thought you would havefind a connection there?
Connor (09:49):
I'd probably say the latter.
you know, I mean, there'snothing wrong with the first one
as well.
Uh, it's a very safe approachand definitely you'll find
people who are like mindedbecause that's what you're
interested in, but I think theinteresting part about the
secondary one is that it's, It'sallowed me to find things that I
didn't think I'd really beinterested in, and then I'm
like, well, you know, like,that's just kind of fun, or that
(10:11):
person's kind of cool, you know,they have people who know people
who then ends up coming tosomething that I'm interested
in.
So it all is full circle,overall, but I think that
opening new doors and justtrying new things, especially
when you're going intouniversity, it's, you know, what
do you got to lose is mymindset.
Sonia (10:28):
Yeah.
I love that.
So as a society, do you seeareas that we can improve to
help, our high school studentstransition to college?
Is there areas that you feellike, I need to improve in this
area to help with thattransition?
Connor (10:44):
I mean, I think a lot of high schools, I think they do a
great job.
You know, I think people likeyou are helping, you know, set
kids up for success and kind ofopen doors of, you know, Hey,
this is the unknown, but we wantto help you as much as you can.
I think for me and my highschool, there was a lot of, you
know, they do the standards likesenior extra interviews.
(11:04):
So they kind of know that youhave a plan and then you have
counselors.
So, you know, how are collegeapplications going?
you know, but to me, that kindof stops at the point.
As soon as you put your cap andgown on, and then you move on to
college, and it feels like thoseresources are for high school
kids.
You know, you can't use themstill, or even if you're
struggling, they may not peoplethat you can connect with.
(11:27):
but I think that's important.
I think that's, you know, asupport system is when you're
going through something new is 1of the biggest things that you
can have.
So, I think if my high schoolcould shift into, maybe somehow
allowing a discussion forum, or,uh, you know, a contact or
someone to keep in touch withthose students.
People who have just left, wouldbe, you know, a big emphasis.
I think.
Sonia (11:47):
Yeah.
Thank you for sharing thatbecause that's exactly where my
passion is filling in that gapfor high school students and,
college students, find theconnections they need to be
successful.
When they graduate.
And that's where you're at now.
Right.
Is, really transitioning fromcollege to your career.
What do you attribute your, bestsuccess in helping you right now
(12:11):
transition from college to yourcareer?
Connor (12:14):
I would absolutely have to go back to, you know, your
bread and butter is theconnections that you make.
and so I've had, you know, a lotof interviews or a lot of
applications that have come backand now, but.
After working with mentors or,you know, like people that I've
connected with and say, Hey, youknow, like, why do you think
this might be happening?
and they've, you know, taken alook at my resume and changed it
(12:36):
up quite a bit.
And they've helped me with jobinterviews and they helped me
practice and slow down.
I used to be a.
Super quick speaker.
You know, I talk over to take abreath and relax, you know, that
it'll be okay.
And so things like that and theconnections that I have around
me and, uh, those kinds ofpeople have really mentored and
tutored me into feelingcomfortable in a lot of new
(12:58):
situations or interviewsituations.
So.
Sonia (13:01):
Yeah, I think that's wonderful.
So now you're at the point whereyou're transitioning out.
Let me go back to your meetingwith Yvette Isaguirre.
You had an info session withher.
So let's bring our audience fullcircle to that opportunity.
what made you connect with herand what did you gain from that
info session?
Connor (13:21):
she was super helpful, I don't know when a corporate
partnership has exactly becamean interest to me.
but she works obviously in thecorporate partnership division
for the Seattle Mariners.
so a local market.
and she's also, you know, shegives the perception that she's
wanting to help and give back tokids.
I think I saw a post where shesaid, you know, I love when kids
connect with me, or I get thechance to speak to the next
(13:41):
generation so I thought, youknow, that's a perfect.
You know, someone's pretty muchsaying, Hey, connect with me
because I love to help.
you know, and so I shot her avery basic message and she
immediately got back to me andwas super helpful.
so hopefully she's stilllistening.
So I can't thank her enough, butI would say she was one of my
first kind of, you know, likelegit cold call meetings,
(14:03):
someone in like an organizationthat I really wanted to work
for.
Okay.
and she gave me a couple ofreally good pointers.
She, uh, emphasized knowing yourwhy, you know, which I think
you've talked about on yourpodcast a lot.
It's kind of finding your corereason.
And, also a lot aboutpersistence.
I think, you know, her story ishow much she's applied to
different jobs and how long it'staken for her to get where she
gets and how nonlinear it'sbeen.
(14:25):
So that, you know, it's kind ofan eye opener in that aspect.
and then ultimately I ask abouthow the culture of the Mariners
operated and, I met with herabout a year ago.
So I think it was in November of2023 and, you know, she really
emphasized as a manager andworking with other people, what
it takes and she emphasizedthat, you know, she really cares
(14:45):
about birthdays.
That was like a really big thingfor her.
and so she makes people on theirbirthday, whether they want to
be, you know, Celebrated or not,you know, depending on how the
person is, she creates a companyculture by making sure that
they're kind of seen, andthey're heard and they're cared
for their team.
And so just knowing that eventhings like that take place in a
major organization, a sportsteam, you've got people like her
(15:07):
who are always caring about herteammates, 1.
We, you know, reemphasize mypassion for the sports industry,
but to help me find my why andkind of create a statement that
if I was to tell someone, youknow, like, what's your dream
goal, I can tell you what andwhy as well.
and then finally, just, onceagain, going back to nurturing
and caring about other peopleand building those connections
(15:29):
over time has really helped herget where she is.
So super inspiring.
yeah, and going back throughYvette's, initial connection
that I have with her, I was ableto apply, for a corporate
partnerships position at theSeattle Mariners for this
upcoming summer, and she, uh,you know, obviously I checked
base with her, but she allowedme to use her as a reference on
my application, And I was ableto put Yvette as a reference and
(15:52):
say, this is someone who canspeak to, you know, my
initiative.
which ultimately led me togetting an interview, And, the
guy I interviewed with, I hadconnected with on LinkedIn, I'd
shot him a message.
So even that when I went intothe interview, I was like, I
know this guy, you know, so onceagain, it always comes full
circle too.
Sonia (16:10):
Yeah.
So it, it sounds to me likethese opportunities almost
prepare you for that jobinterview because you're
narrowing down your brand, yourown personal branding, who you
are, your mission, what you'relooking forward to.
So when you have theseinterviews, right, you can
clearly state that.
Connor (16:29):
Yeah.
I usually, when someone gives,says, what's your professional
overview, tell me aboutyourself.
I always go back to kind of whatshe said and I finish it with my
why statement.
And so I'll say, you know, yes,I'm from here, blah, blah, blah,
blah.
But this is all importantbecause I'm, you know, in that
why statement.
And so that's really helped me,set a precedence at the
beginning of interviews of, youknow, why am I here?
(16:50):
Why am I applying for the job?
Why are you important?
Why are you special?
Why, you know, what's themeaning behind it?
Sonia (16:56):
Yeah.
Do you want to give it a shotand tell us what your why is?
Connor (17:00):
so my why for corporate partnerships position, which is
something that's been reallyinteresting to me is that?
I think it's, Tertiary, Um, it'sthat it benefits multiple
different groups.
And so you get to benefit theteam because obviously they make
revenue.
it benefits the company becausethey have goals and objectives
that they're trying to reach ordo a partnership with the team.
And then finally, it benefitsthe community.
(17:22):
So, they get to see the rewardsand the benefits of people's
hard work and it benefits themand their game experience.
So having a job that, benefits alot of people is something that
I really want to contributeinto.
Sonia (17:34):
I love that.
I love that because you madeyour job or your job title come
full circle as far as why, whoyou're connecting with and what
you're trying to build.
I love that.
I love that.
Connor (17:45):
So I can definitely say it still needs some refining.
There's
Sonia (17:50):
yeah.
And you know what?
That is the beauty of this.
The more you say it, the moreyou share it, the clear it gets.
And so it's important for peopleto ask you your why, because
every time you say it, yourealize, practice makes perfect.
Connor (18:05):
exactly.
Sonia (18:06):
I love it.
Connor will share if you don'tmind.
Tell us where you're at in youreducation journey and anything
you want to share about whatConnor is up to as far as career
planning.
Connor (18:21):
So I'm in my 4th and final year.
at the University of Victoria.
I've, uh, got about 1 monthleft.
My last day of classes is August2nd, and then I'm officially
done with school with thebachelors of commerce and
international business.
I've continuously been trying toset up work experiences and I've
had a couple of job interviewswith the Vancouver Canucks, I'm
(18:43):
excited to graduate.
I have a bit of a trip plannedin August as a relax, you know,
clear the mind before enteringthe workforce,
Sonia (18:50):
And I think the clear, your goal is, The better it is
for you, because no matter whatopportunity is the next job,
right, for you, that's justgoing to be a stepping stone to
moving in the right direction.
So even if this firstopportunity is not the exact
definition of what you'relooking for, you're going to
gain the skills to continuetapping on, knocking on those
doors, and hopefully having thatopportunity, which is exactly
(19:13):
what Yvette shared with us onthat interview.
Connor (19:16):
Exactly.
Sonia (19:17):
If there is top three things that you would say to
high school students and collegestudents.
What would that top three thingsbe, from your experience and
helping them prepare for theirfuture careers?
Connor (19:30):
I think, you know, I've got two that come straight to my
head and I might have to think alittle bit harder about the
third one is, you know, I mean,it's a bit, I think it's a bit
corny and a bit funny, but I waswatching a video of, uh, I think
he was like eight, on like adifferent podcast.
And he said a quote, he said,uh, you can't control the wind,
but you can only adjust yoursails.
And, you know, funny enoughcoming from an eight year old,
(19:51):
you make, it is what it is, butI really resonated with that.
And so I've kind of realized asI hear no from things or as
things may not work, you know,the way I want them to, that
might be an example of where thewind's pushing me in the wrong
direction, but, you know, alwaysadjust your sails and kind of
continue to focus on what yourgoal was.
so that's really resonated withme for number one.
(20:12):
and then number two, especiallyafter connecting with a lot of.
business or industryprofessionals is, you know, like
you don't always have to becool.
I think a lot of the times isthe more you kind of put
yourself out there or you'rekind of a bit different or
you're a bit unique, it makes alasting impact and, it makes you
remembered in those people'seyes.
It's like, yo, they weren't justyour, you know, cookie cutter,
(20:33):
basic interviewee, they kind oftouched on points that I thought
were interesting or new orinnovative.
and so coming up with thosedifferent ideas and not just
trying to tell people what youthink they want to hear, has
been a real big realization inmy eyes.
And then, I don't know if I havea tip for the third one, but I
just, you know, my third pointmight just be, everything's
(20:53):
gonna be okay.
You know, like at the end of theday, give it a year from now,
that thing that you might bedealing with is not gonna be the
thing that you're thinkingabout.
or that career that you thoughtthat was like, Oh, this is the
only thing I'm meant to do in mylife.
Might not be, you know, the topof precedent.
So at the end all in, in howeverlong it takes, everything's
(21:15):
going to be all right, then thetransition works and people will
be there to support.
Sonia (21:19):
I love it because like, as I always say, your career is
not an end destination, it's ajourney.
Exactly.
Exactly.
Thank you so much Connor forbeing a guest on our podcast and
I wish nothing but manyconnections for you in that next
job opportunity.
Hopefully we can have you againin the future.
(21:39):
once you're at your professionalcareer level and get to go back
in time and share where you atnow and where you are then.
So really appreciate it.
Connor (21:48):
Yeah, I really appreciate you having me on and
I will always shout out thepodcast.
So listen in and follow the nextepisodes.
Sonia (21:54):
Thank you so much, Connor.
Thank you for listening in.
If you enjoyed this episode, itwould mean so much to me if you
share it with a friend, acolleague, or your own
community.
If you share it on social mediaand tag me, I'll make sure to
personally thank you.
My two favorite places to hangout are Instagram and LinkedIn.
Check out our show notes for adirect link.
(22:16):
I'm so thankful for each andevery one of you.
And as always stay well, bepresent and enjoy the journey.
I'll talk to you next week.
Adios.
Hi, I'm Connor Pockinjack and you're listening
(00:02):
to the college and career readypodcast.
Sonia (00:36):
Welcome everyone.
Welcome to the college andcareer ready podcast.
on today's episode, we haveConnor.
Connor is a fourth year studentat the university of Victoria,
British Columbia.
He has a passion for pursuing acareer within the sports
industry.
Connor reached out to me andconnected with me on LinkedIn
after hearing two of myepisodes, number 50 and 51,
(01:00):
where I interviewed YvetteIzaguirre, she's a senior
activation specialist with theSeattle Mariners, and he
connected with me to express hisgratitude.
For that episode, because bylistening to Yvette's story, he
was inspired to connect with herdirectly for an info session.
And from there he has continuedto build and leverage his
(01:21):
connections and theseconnections will hopefully lend
him to his first careeropportunity.
Welcome Connor.
Welcome to the college andcareer ready podcast.
Connor (01:31):
Hi, thank you so much for having me.
Sonia (01:33):
And you are just in the perfect time because you are
soon to graduate, so we get togo back in time and, share with
our audience, our listenersabout your trajectory in
building connections for yourfuture career plans.
But introduce yourself to ouraudience.
Tell us a little bit aboutyourself.
Connor (01:53):
Yeah, so I'm originally from Olympia, Washington.
so just about an hour south ofSeattle.
I grew up, you know, it's apretty small community.
So a K through eight and then ahigh school, also local there,
never moved.
That's my hometown, you know,tried and true.
and then I'm a dual citizen aswell.
So I'm a dual citizen betweenCanada and the U S which has
allowed me to pursue aneducation at the university of
(02:14):
Victoria.
I've had a great four yearsstudying in the commerce and
business program, and recently aspecialization in international
business.
So that's been great.
I met a lot of great people.
I've also been lucky enough togo to school with a couple of my
family members, which not a lotof people get to do.
and then I'm off into graduationcome about a month from now.
(02:35):
So that's a bit exciting.
And I've began the jobapplication process and continue
to build on network connectionsand hopefully leverage those in
the future.
Sonia (02:43):
Yeah.
And, you know, tell me a littlebit about that.
When did you started realizingthe importance of building
connections?
Connor (02:51):
I had met a lot of older, so I have an older
brother, which, you know,initially helps with a lot of
high school and that wholetransition process.
But I had an older brother whohad a lot of friends, who were
moving into the collegetransition zone.
And they had told me a storythat they had bought LinkedIn
premium and sent a couplehundred messages to just
companies that they would liketo work for.
(03:11):
You know, they made a list andthey sent it out.
And ultimately ended up gettingan internship and a job for a
company in California and he'smoved to California and he's
worked for them.
So that kind of success storywas, a bit of an eye opener.
And, uh, from then I kind ofjust picked, you know, did the
same process, found people, youknow, a little bit more locally
that I'd like to work for.
(03:32):
sent messages, told them a bitabout myself and kind of started
from there and it's had a greatreturn overall.
So.
I love it.
When did you start this processof connecting on LinkedIn?
I would say seriously, I gotinto it not long ago.
probably my 2nd year ofuniversity is when I kind of,
you know, started sending thosecold messages.
It was a bit of a, uh,ambitious, you know, I was
(03:55):
afraid of hearing the no and notgetting response.
That's kind of what's alwaysprevented me.
But as soon as I started and.
I think one person gave me ayes.
It was go from there.
Sonia (04:05):
Oh my goodness.
I love that.
So tell me a little bit abouthow you started.
So you created your LinkedInprofile.
How did you start targeting?
How did you narrow down to yoursearch?
Connor (04:16):
so I don't know if it's similar between the U.
S.
and Canada, but I know in the U.
S.
when I was in high school, Icompeted in DECA.
And so that was been superhelpful.
And that's kind of the age thatI set up a LinkedIn profile,
but, you know, never posted,never liked anything.
and then came back to it myfreshman year at university and
really.
You know, set it up, made itlook nice, kind of started
(04:37):
connecting with people, andgoing from there.
And the first people that I kindof targeted, I think I was a
bit, uh, out of my umbrella.
I went for a local team.
So like, you know, Seattle'sbecome a Mecca of metropolitan
sports with, you know, the crackin and the sounders and the
Seahawks and the Mariners.
So I just kind of went tocompanies.
(04:58):
Or, uh, teams like those to seewho I can pick on.
And I think I was a bitambitious cause the first couple
of people I went for like COOsor like, you know, top
department people, which may notbe the, the best approach, but
kind of narrowed down,eventually and found people who
were willing to help.
Okay.
Sonia (05:14):
you, from the beginning, you knew you were going to
target sports industry, correct?
Connor (05:18):
Yeah.
Sonia (05:19):
Okay.
Yeah.
Okay.
And you started doing LinkedInmessages.
Is that how you connected?
Tell us a little bit about whatthat looked like.
Connor (05:29):
Yeah.
So I found out, uh, probably mysecond year university that you
can connect with someone onLinkedIn, but you can also send
a personalized invite, underthat more options.
So for me, under the freeversion that I still use, I get
like four free personalizedinvites a month.
so I make sure I find fourreally targeted specific people
(05:49):
that I do a lot of research andto kind of see, how they got
there, why they got there, whatthey do, if it's what I want to
do, and then eventually crack.
It's a 200 word, you know,limit.
And so I just kind of coldmessage someone and say, Hey,
saw your job, saw yourtransition period, you know,
really interested in what you doand would love to chat.
Sonia (06:08):
Awesome.
I bet those no's or no responsefeels uncomfortable, but what
about when you get a yes in aresponse?
How's that feeling?
Connor (06:17):
Oh, I like social interaction, but even I get
nervous from a yes.
So I think that's an overallpositive thing at the end all is
that, you know, nervous meansthat you care and that you're
excited.
So, and then I've also had a fewpeople who four months ago by
and I'm like, yeah, you know,maybe that wasn't the right
person.
Maybe I didn't get a yes, ormaybe I didn't get a response.
And then all of a sudden they'llsay, Hey, just saw this.
(06:37):
You know, would you love tochat?
And it's like, yeah, I wouldlike, that would be great.
So I love
Sonia (06:44):
that.
So in LinkedIn, you already knewwhat job titles you were looking
for.
I'm assuming
Connor (06:50):
from high school and from my early university years,
I wasn't, you know, certain I'dalways had a passion for
business.
I've always heard growing upthat and learning from decades,
sports is a very saturated andit's pretty competitive industry
to get into.
So I, that always moved me in adifferent direction and try to
focus on something else.
But eventually I came back to itand I decided, yeah, I think
(07:10):
that's what I'm going to try andpursue.
So.
Sonia (07:13):
I love that.
I love that.
So let's, since you mentionedhigh school, what do you feel
was the hardest part for youtransitioning from high school
to college?
Connor (07:22):
I think it was interesting, you know, it may
not be a lot of academic issuesthat I had.
But I'm talking aboutconnections, and what that means
to me is, like, I think there'sa lot of value, you know, not
necessarily in numbers, theamount of people that you're
able to connect with, but thetype of connections that you
have with a smaller group.
And I think when you hituniversity, there's that kind of
social stigma that comes back inthat says, you know, I need to
(07:44):
be Mr.
Popular, or I need to knoweverybody, or, you know, it's
like, you're starting fromsquare one, and it's everybody
needs to know everybody, but.
The friends that I'm stillfriends with today, out of my
four years at university, arethe small group of people with
like minded values that I madein first year.
and I think that's really helpedme.
And then also finding you know,people who want to grow in the
(08:06):
same way as me.
And so that transition from, youknow, high school, you have your
friend group, especially me,where it's a very local, you
know, community built, uh, areato then it's, you know, people
from all around the world comingto meet up with you again.
I think that stigma I struggledwith a bit.
Sonia (08:24):
How did you find your specific groups of individuals?
So if you go back in time andwalk us through, what was your
best target or the best strategyto find the people to connect
with?
Connor (08:36):
Uh, well, one, first off definitely took some time.
yeah.
I think I can say I'm very luckybecause, uh, I had two cousins
who are from Vancouver, BritishColumbia, and they both also
went to the University ofVictoria for their first year.
So I had two of my familymembers who are my age on
campus, so they're pretty muchbuilt in friends, you know, you
can't go wrong there.
(08:57):
and they obviously knew otherpeople from the area who were,
coming to the school and thenover time a couple people
transferred, a couple peoplemoved, but I got really, uh,
deep rooted into things likeintramurals or like
extracurricular activities.
Kind of just going out andtrying new things that might be
outside of my comfort zone.
Cause there's probably kidsdoing the same thing.
(09:18):
and you know, I ended up findingmy girlfriend at the school.
She had a bunch of friends sheintroduced me to.
and overall it just kind ofslowly expanded and, you know,
as people went on and peoplehave moved, I've kept in touch
with people who are reallyimportant to me.
So,
Sonia (09:32):
yeah.
So do you think for students, doyou think it's better for them
to.
Reach out to people who theyfeel are similar to them.
Or do you think it's moreadvantageous to open your doors
to opportunities andextracurriculars that you might
have not thought you would havefind a connection there?
Connor (09:49):
I'd probably say the latter.
you know, I mean, there'snothing wrong with the first one
as well.
Uh, it's a very safe approachand definitely you'll find
people who are like mindedbecause that's what you're
interested in, but I think theinteresting part about the
secondary one is that it's, It'sallowed me to find things that I
didn't think I'd really beinterested in, and then I'm
like, well, you know, like,that's just kind of fun, or that
(10:11):
person's kind of cool, you know,they have people who know people
who then ends up coming tosomething that I'm interested
in.
So it all is full circle,overall, but I think that
opening new doors and justtrying new things, especially
when you're going intouniversity, it's, you know, what
do you got to lose is mymindset.
Sonia (10:28):
Yeah.
I love that.
So as a society, do you seeareas that we can improve to
help, our high school studentstransition to college?
Is there areas that you feellike, I need to improve in this
area to help with thattransition?
Connor (10:44):
I mean, I think a lot of high schools, I think they do a
great job.
You know, I think people likeyou are helping, you know, set
kids up for success and kind ofopen doors of, you know, Hey,
this is the unknown, but we wantto help you as much as you can.
I think for me and my highschool, there was a lot of, you
know, they do the standards likesenior extra interviews.
(11:04):
So they kind of know that youhave a plan and then you have
counselors.
So, you know, how are collegeapplications going?
you know, but to me, that kindof stops at the point.
As soon as you put your cap andgown on, and then you move on to
college, and it feels like thoseresources are for high school
kids.
You know, you can't use themstill, or even if you're
struggling, they may not peoplethat you can connect with.
(11:27):
but I think that's important.
I think that's, you know, asupport system is when you're
going through something new is 1of the biggest things that you
can have.
So, I think if my high schoolcould shift into, maybe somehow
allowing a discussion forum, or,uh, you know, a contact or
someone to keep in touch withthose students.
People who have just left, wouldbe, you know, a big emphasis.
I think.
Sonia (11:47):
Yeah.
Thank you for sharing thatbecause that's exactly where my
passion is filling in that gapfor high school students and,
college students, find theconnections they need to be
successful.
When they graduate.
And that's where you're at now.
Right.
Is, really transitioning fromcollege to your career.
What do you attribute your, bestsuccess in helping you right now
(12:11):
transition from college to yourcareer?
Connor (12:14):
I would absolutely have to go back to, you know, your
bread and butter is theconnections that you make.
and so I've had, you know, a lotof interviews or a lot of
applications that have come backand now, but.
After working with mentors or,you know, like people that I've
connected with and say, Hey, youknow, like, why do you think
this might be happening?
and they've, you know, taken alook at my resume and changed it
(12:36):
up quite a bit.
And they've helped me with jobinterviews and they helped me
practice and slow down.
I used to be a.
Super quick speaker.
You know, I talk over to take abreath and relax, you know, that
it'll be okay.
And so things like that and theconnections that I have around
me and, uh, those kinds ofpeople have really mentored and
tutored me into feelingcomfortable in a lot of new
(12:58):
situations or interviewsituations.
So.
Sonia (13:01):
Yeah, I think that's wonderful.
So now you're at the point whereyou're transitioning out.
Let me go back to your meetingwith Yvette Isaguirre.
You had an info session withher.
So let's bring our audience fullcircle to that opportunity.
what made you connect with herand what did you gain from that
info session?
Connor (13:21):
she was super helpful, I don't know when a corporate
partnership has exactly becamean interest to me.
but she works obviously in thecorporate partnership division
for the Seattle Mariners.
so a local market.
and she's also, you know, shegives the perception that she's
wanting to help and give back tokids.
I think I saw a post where shesaid, you know, I love when kids
connect with me, or I get thechance to speak to the next
(13:41):
generation so I thought, youknow, that's a perfect.
You know, someone's pretty muchsaying, Hey, connect with me
because I love to help.
you know, and so I shot her avery basic message and she
immediately got back to me andwas super helpful.
so hopefully she's stilllistening.
So I can't thank her enough, butI would say she was one of my
first kind of, you know, likelegit cold call meetings,
(14:03):
someone in like an organizationthat I really wanted to work
for.
Okay.
and she gave me a couple ofreally good pointers.
She, uh, emphasized knowing yourwhy, you know, which I think
you've talked about on yourpodcast a lot.
It's kind of finding your corereason.
And, also a lot aboutpersistence.
I think, you know, her story ishow much she's applied to
different jobs and how long it'staken for her to get where she
gets and how nonlinear it'sbeen.
(14:25):
So that, you know, it's kind ofan eye opener in that aspect.
and then ultimately I ask abouthow the culture of the Mariners
operated and, I met with herabout a year ago.
So I think it was in November of2023 and, you know, she really
emphasized as a manager andworking with other people, what
it takes and she emphasizedthat, you know, she really cares
(14:45):
about birthdays.
That was like a really big thingfor her.
and so she makes people on theirbirthday, whether they want to
be, you know, Celebrated or not,you know, depending on how the
person is, she creates a companyculture by making sure that
they're kind of seen, andthey're heard and they're cared
for their team.
And so just knowing that eventhings like that take place in a
major organization, a sportsteam, you've got people like her
(15:07):
who are always caring about herteammates, 1.
We, you know, reemphasize mypassion for the sports industry,
but to help me find my why andkind of create a statement that
if I was to tell someone, youknow, like, what's your dream
goal, I can tell you what andwhy as well.
and then finally, just, onceagain, going back to nurturing
and caring about other peopleand building those connections
(15:29):
over time has really helped herget where she is.
So super inspiring.
yeah, and going back throughYvette's, initial connection
that I have with her, I was ableto apply, for a corporate
partnerships position at theSeattle Mariners for this
upcoming summer, and she, uh,you know, obviously I checked
base with her, but she allowedme to use her as a reference on
my application, And I was ableto put Yvette as a reference and
(15:52):
say, this is someone who canspeak to, you know, my
initiative.
which ultimately led me togetting an interview, And, the
guy I interviewed with, I hadconnected with on LinkedIn, I'd
shot him a message.
So even that when I went intothe interview, I was like, I
know this guy, you know, so onceagain, it always comes full
circle too.
Sonia (16:10):
Yeah.
So it, it sounds to me likethese opportunities almost
prepare you for that jobinterview because you're
narrowing down your brand, yourown personal branding, who you
are, your mission, what you'relooking forward to.
So when you have theseinterviews, right, you can
clearly state that.
Connor (16:29):
Yeah.
I usually, when someone gives,says, what's your professional
overview, tell me aboutyourself.
I always go back to kind of whatshe said and I finish it with my
why statement.
And so I'll say, you know, yes,I'm from here, blah, blah, blah,
blah.
But this is all importantbecause I'm, you know, in that
why statement.
And so that's really helped me,set a precedence at the
beginning of interviews of, youknow, why am I here?
(16:50):
Why am I applying for the job?
Why are you important?
Why are you special?
Why, you know, what's themeaning behind it?
Sonia (16:56):
Yeah.
Do you want to give it a shotand tell us what your why is?
Connor (17:00):
so my why for corporate partnerships position, which is
something that's been reallyinteresting to me is that?
I think it's, Tertiary, Um, it'sthat it benefits multiple
different groups.
And so you get to benefit theteam because obviously they make
revenue.
it benefits the company becausethey have goals and objectives
that they're trying to reach ordo a partnership with the team.
And then finally, it benefitsthe community.
(17:22):
So, they get to see the rewardsand the benefits of people's
hard work and it benefits themand their game experience.
So having a job that, benefits alot of people is something that
I really want to contributeinto.
Sonia (17:34):
I love that.
I love that because you madeyour job or your job title come
full circle as far as why, whoyou're connecting with and what
you're trying to build.
I love that.
I love that.
Connor (17:45):
So I can definitely say it still needs some refining.
There's
Sonia (17:50):
yeah.
And you know what?
That is the beauty of this.
The more you say it, the moreyou share it, the clear it gets.
And so it's important for peopleto ask you your why, because
every time you say it, yourealize, practice makes perfect.
Connor (18:05):
exactly.
Sonia (18:06):
I love it.
Connor will share if you don'tmind.
Tell us where you're at in youreducation journey and anything
you want to share about whatConnor is up to as far as career
planning.
Connor (18:21):
So I'm in my 4th and final year.
at the University of Victoria.
I've, uh, got about 1 monthleft.
My last day of classes is August2nd, and then I'm officially
done with school with thebachelors of commerce and
international business.
I've continuously been trying toset up work experiences and I've
had a couple of job interviewswith the Vancouver Canucks, I'm
(18:43):
excited to graduate.
I have a bit of a trip plannedin August as a relax, you know,
clear the mind before enteringthe workforce,
Sonia (18:50):
And I think the clear, your goal is, The better it is
for you, because no matter whatopportunity is the next job,
right, for you, that's justgoing to be a stepping stone to
moving in the right direction.
So even if this firstopportunity is not the exact
definition of what you'relooking for, you're going to
gain the skills to continuetapping on, knocking on those
doors, and hopefully having thatopportunity, which is exactly
(19:13):
what Yvette shared with us onthat interview.
Connor (19:16):
Exactly.
Sonia (19:17):
If there is top three things that you would say to
high school students and collegestudents.
What would that top three thingsbe, from your experience and
helping them prepare for theirfuture careers?
Connor (19:30):
I think, you know, I've got two that come straight to my
head and I might have to think alittle bit harder about the
third one is, you know, I mean,it's a bit, I think it's a bit
corny and a bit funny, but I waswatching a video of, uh, I think
he was like eight, on like adifferent podcast.
And he said a quote, he said,uh, you can't control the wind,
but you can only adjust yoursails.
And, you know, funny enoughcoming from an eight year old,
(19:51):
you make, it is what it is, butI really resonated with that.
And so I've kind of realized asI hear no from things or as
things may not work, you know,the way I want them to, that
might be an example of where thewind's pushing me in the wrong
direction, but, you know, alwaysadjust your sails and kind of
continue to focus on what yourgoal was.
so that's really resonated withme for number one.
(20:12):
and then number two, especiallyafter connecting with a lot of.
business or industryprofessionals is, you know, like
you don't always have to becool.
I think a lot of the times isthe more you kind of put
yourself out there or you'rekind of a bit different or
you're a bit unique, it makes alasting impact and, it makes you
remembered in those people'seyes.
It's like, yo, they weren't justyour, you know, cookie cutter,
(20:33):
basic interviewee, they kind oftouched on points that I thought
were interesting or new orinnovative.
and so coming up with thosedifferent ideas and not just
trying to tell people what youthink they want to hear, has
been a real big realization inmy eyes.
And then, I don't know if I havea tip for the third one, but I
just, you know, my third pointmight just be, everything's
(20:53):
gonna be okay.
You know, like at the end of theday, give it a year from now,
that thing that you might bedealing with is not gonna be the
thing that you're thinkingabout.
or that career that you thoughtthat was like, Oh, this is the
only thing I'm meant to do in mylife.
Might not be, you know, the topof precedent.
So at the end all in, in howeverlong it takes, everything's
(21:15):
going to be all right, then thetransition works and people will
be there to support.
Sonia (21:19):
I love it because like, as I always say, your career is
not an end destination, it's ajourney.
Exactly.
Exactly.
Thank you so much Connor forbeing a guest on our podcast and
I wish nothing but manyconnections for you in that next
job opportunity.
Hopefully we can have you againin the future.
(21:39):
once you're at your professionalcareer level and get to go back
in time and share where you atnow and where you are then.
So really appreciate it.
Connor (21:48):
Yeah, I really appreciate you having me on and
I will always shout out thepodcast.
So listen in and follow the nextepisodes.
Sonia (21:54):
Thank you so much, Connor.
Thank you for listening in.
If you enjoyed this episode, itwould mean so much to me if you
share it with a friend, acolleague, or your own
community.
If you share it on social mediaand tag me, I'll make sure to
personally thank you.
My two favorite places to hangout are Instagram and LinkedIn.
Check out our show notes for adirect link.
(22:16):
I'm so thankful for each andevery one of you.
And as always stay well, bepresent and enjoy the journey.
I'll talk to you next week.
Adios.
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