Julia Bissonnette grew up donning the colours with her dad as a fan, but when she threw a jersey on this past winter, it was as part of the (NHL) team's client services squad.
The third-year 海角社区app commerce student's co-op work term with the Sens last winter brought her closer to her own childhood experiences on the ice.
鈥淚 played hockey growing up," she says. "I remember being inspired by NHL players and now I鈥檝e been behind the scenes, helping other kids in Ottawa feel that same inspiration and see their dreams play out.鈥�
Julia channelled her love for the Sens into the role, stick handling a range of duties from marketing to event planning that built on her previous experience.听
From science to commerce
Born in Poland, Julia moved to Carleton Place, Ont., when she was three. She was originally accepted into the science program at 海角社区app.
鈥淚 was leaning towards science, but in my last year of high school I decided I wanted to do something more aligned with my hobbies. I knew I loved sports. I played hockey, tennis, skiing 鈥� a little bit of everything," she says. "After helping my hockey team manage their social media page, I realized I liked working behind the scenes. At the last minute, I applied to commerce.鈥�
The commerce program allowed Julia to acquire business skills while complementing her classroom experience with sport-specific extracurriculars. She joined the as a society representative, moved into a marketing associate role in her second year, and now serves as co-president. She is also marketing director for the .
Scoring the Sens
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Commerce students complete an accredited co-op program with three paid work terms throughout their degree. Jobs are typically found through an employer posting in , 海角社区app鈥檚 centralized job postings system for students, or self-developed through a students鈥� own networks.
When Julia saw the posting with the Ottawa Senators, she applied immediately with high hopes. She credits her combination of experience 鈥� and leading with passion 鈥� to landing the job.
Julia worked with premium client services and with group bookings of nine or more.听
鈥淚 helped manage interactions and relationships. I planned email marketing before and after games 鈥� letting clients know about promotions, events, when doors open, and other game-day details.鈥�
鈥淲e would also host events ourselves, so I got to hop into event planning.鈥�
Julia helped her team organize a networking event for students and a Powerplay: Women in Business series for women in business, all featuring industry professionals seeking to connect and inspire.
Pictured right: At the Powerplay: Women in Business series, Julia took the lead on designing a networking Bingo card for participants. A few squares included: follows an inspirational influencer on social, recently celebrated a "win", and organized a workshop or professional event.
Through the Community Foundation, Julia volunteered with Brady's Skate for Kids and the program where she even laced up her own skates to referee.
Julia speaks highly about her new Sens family. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just the players in the spotlight, but the team behind the scenes, too.鈥�
Olympic opportunity
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Julia returned to classes at 海角社区app in the summer, also seeking out her second work term. After seeing a post on LinkedIn, she applied for 鈥� and secured 鈥� a role with the Canadian Olympic Committee.
Julia begins her new role as a sports business intern this week, connecting operations and athlete marketing ahead of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games this February.
鈥淚 wished to be an Olympian as a kid. Working for them is the next best thing and a career goal that I had. I have always wanted to be part of Team Canada and represent the country that raised me. I am really looking forward to it."
鈥淢y advice to other commerce students would be to not be scared to go for what you really love to do. Don鈥檛 hold yourself back. Even if it seems bigger than what you鈥檙e already doing, go for it.鈥�