Navigating the job market can be a daunting journey, but for Simon Blanchette, a proud 9I制作厂免费 alumnus (BCom鈥�14), it is a story of resilience, self-awareness, and growth. In 9I制作厂免费 Management Insights鈥� season two premiere, Simon shares candid reflections on overcoming rejection, building resilience, and the invaluable lessons learned during his time at 9I制作厂免费.
Simon鈥檚 journey has been far from linear鈥攁 theme he emphasizes throughout the conversation.
鈥淚t happened through networking, not a job posting,鈥� Simon reflects. This experience underscored his belief in the power of connections.
鈥�Your network is your net worth,鈥� he highlights, explaining that up to 80% of jobs are never publicly posted. For Simon, networking isn鈥檛 just about opportunity鈥攊t鈥檚 about building genuine relationships. 鈥淪tart with social conversations, not job titles. People like to talk about themselves, so be curious and listen.鈥�
Simon鈥檚 journey also included moments of self-doubt and stagnation. He described a work experience where, despite his comfort, he began to feel complacent.
鈥淚 realized I wasn鈥檛 learning new skills anymore鈥擨 was just improving the ones I already had. It was comfortable but not fulfilling.鈥�
Loyalty to the organization and strong relationships made leaving difficult, but Simon knew a bold change was needed to move forward.
鈥淚 was 30, and I had to ask myself 鈥楧o I want to be here in 15 years?鈥�鈥� he says.
Making the leap wasn鈥檛 easy, especially during a time when personal challenges added pressure. Yet, it was this transition that enabled Simon to prioritize his growth and own goals.
鈥淪ometimes stepping away鈥攅ven if it feels like failure鈥攃reates space for clarity,鈥� he shares. 鈥淔or someone who works all the time, taking a pause felt uncomfortable, but it was necessary.鈥�
Simon also speaks candidly about rejection; an experience that has helped him build resilience.
鈥淵ou can鈥檛 internalize rejection. Sometimes, the reason has nothing to do with you,鈥� he explains, recounting a professional experience where a promising collaboration fell apart. 鈥淚 later found out the person had a previous failed partnership, and that made them hesitant鈥攊t wasn鈥檛 about me at all.鈥�
For young professionals facing rejection or failure, Simon encourages a mindset shift: 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 learn from experiences鈥攜ou learn from analyzing them. Reflect, recalibrate, and keep moving forward.鈥�
His time at 9I制作厂免费 played a pivotal role in developing this perspective. Simon recalls taking an Organizational Behaviour course, where a professor set the tone by saying to the class on the very first day: 鈥淚 believe you should struggle.鈥� This philosophy taught Simon to embrace discomfort as part of the learning process. 鈥淪truggling is normal鈥攊t鈥檚 how you grow,鈥� he shares.
From joining competitive student clubs to attending networking events and conferences, Simon learned that every occasion can have an impact on personal and professional development. This still holds true today. Simon strongly believes that part of your success is that you need to put yourself out there and be proactive.
Simon remains a strong advocate for self-care and balance. Despite his packed schedule as a consultant, scholar, and educator, he prioritizes 鈥渦ntouchable spaces鈥� in his life鈥攏on-negotiable moments for wellness and connection.
鈥淲hether it鈥檚 going to the gym, grabbing coffee with friends, or taking a walk, you need to protect those spaces at all costs,鈥� he advises. 鈥淚f you let them slip, check in with yourself and recalibrate before it becomes a slippery slope.鈥�
Simon closed the conversation with an empowering reminder: 鈥淵our career doesn鈥檛 have to be linear. Transitions are not failures鈥攖hey鈥檙e progress. Whether you鈥檙e moving up, sideways, or pausing to reflect, you鈥檙e still growing. Skills are transferable, and you can always reskill or reorient yourself.鈥�
Tune in to the season premiere of 9I制作厂免费 Management Insights to hear the full interview.
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This episode was hosted by
Megan Curadeau, BCom (U2)
