´╗┐´╗┐Company: Motorola

Position: junior marketing assistant

Employed: two months
With a keen interest in communications and ambitions of becoming a journalist, Adam Bury enrolled in communication studies. But something unexpected happened en route ÔÇô Bury discovered a passion for production. Digital post-production. The beauty of this new passion? A role in production isn't travel-heavy and doesn't require a license ÔÇô two challenges for Bury who was born legally blind. After returning to school for digital post-production, Bury was ready to gain some hands-on experience.
During his job search, Bury found Ability Edge, an internship program that helps graduates with disabilities find paid internship placements. He applied and was hired by Motorola as a junior marketing assistant. Now two months into his role, Bury spoke with jobpostings about his position.

Where did you go to school? What program did you attend?
I graduated from the University of Windsor with an Honors BA in communication studies. After that I did a post-graduate certificate at Fanshawe College in digital post-production.

Tell us a bit about your responsibilities.
Managing the production of promotional materials ÔÇô posters, calendars, et cetera.

What is the most challenging aspect of your position?
Managing my time effectively. There are a lot of things going on at once; we have different promotional events throughout the year.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Knowing you're raising Motorola's awareness and getting the product out to customers. Also, we have a small team internally so it's great to get positive feedback from them.

What skills have you learned through your work experience?
This position has helped me learn how to manage not only projects but also how to manage the people you work with to make sure the job you want done is being done properly and on time.

What accommodations do you use to help you succeed on the job?
Motorola has been really accommodating. As soon as I started, they provided me with a large screen monitor and text-enlarging software.

Is there one accomplishment you are particularly proud of?
We have a big event on the horizon - we're launching a new phone with Rogers and we're holding a lobby launch in the Rogers building to show off the phone. I've had a big role in this project so I'm looking forward to that.

What are your future career aspirations?
I'd like to gain more experience in both media production and marketing and then determine which to pursue.

What advice do you have for students looking to land their first job?
First, never discount an opportunity even if it's a volunteer position. You might not see the rewards right away. Persevere - stick with it. Look in as many different places as you can. Finally, maintain contact with as many people as you can ÔÇô they're always a good source of information for finding jobs. You never know where people are going to end up working. jp
Launched in 1999 by the Career Edge Organization and the Canadian Bankers Association, the program helps recent graduates with disabilities launch their careers and helps companies recruit graduates with disabilities. Ability Edge offers six-, nine- and 12-month paid internships in a variety of areas including: business services, human resources, marketing and public relations. For more information about Ability Edge, go to abilityedge.ca.
Sponsored by Rogers