VP SPOTLIGHT: Jennifer Onstein, Digital Media
When I first met Jennifer, she struck me as this confident, strong, intelligent, and very fashionable business woman. Jennifer is a second year marketing student making strides in her studies and in her role of as the VP of Digital Media for the BCITMA.
Today, I had the pleasure to sit down with her and get to know her a little bit better. Without further adieu, let’s get to know the beautiful and edgy, Jennifer Onstein!
Q: Tell me about who you are and what you do at BCIT.
A: I’m Jennifer, the VP of digital media in the BCITMA. I’m a student. I am on the Schmooze committee as the Director of Public Relations. I am very involved with extracurricular activities and I also do school work.
Q: What option are you currently in?
A: Communications option. I absolutely love it! I am so glad that I chose this option. It is more of the creative side of marketing, and that is what I’m interested in, so it seems to be a perfect fit. There are also so many different avenues to go down after specializing in this communications option.
Q: What accomplishments or moments are you proud of that you have you made as VP of Digital Media in the BCITMA?
A: In October, the BCITMA website got hacked… and everything was wiped from it. All of the information from the past 12 years was gone. Bringing the website back to life, starting it from scratch was very difficult and stressful. But it was honestly a blessing in disguise. I learned what it took building a website, and how to look at it from a creative perspective. It’s my little baby
Q:What inspired you to take run for the VP role last year?
A: I was originally on the Events Committee in first year. I had a lot of experience in events at the time, but I wasn’t sure if it was what I wanted to go into for second-year. I wanted to branch off and try something completely new. Not only that, I have always liked being creative digitally. I used to build and design my own websites when I was younger. I didn’t know the basic knowledge of building a website from the start, which is something I wanted to learn, so I got into Digital Media with the MA.
Q: What did life look like for you before BCIT?
A: Before BCIT, I was living very far away in Terrace BC, which is way up north. I took a year off after grad, worked a lot, traveled to Australia and New Zealand. Life was kinda boring and I just did my own thing. Vancouver was always where I wanted to be, and school made that possible.
Q: What are you plans for the end of second year? Are you going on to complete the BBA?
A: I am not doing the BBA… I’m terrible at math. Maybe one day I will come back and do it, but as of right now have an internship with Brand Live. And I am ready to see where it will take me. My goal is to get a job out of school or go onto whatever’s next.
Q: What is your favourite course at the moment and why?
A: Probably web design… which is kinda obvious, you know, being in digital media and all. For the MA I built the website on WordPress, but in web design you learn the very basics as if you didn’t have an application meant to help with getting started on a site (like WordPress). You get to learn how sites used to be built.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 2-5 years?
A: I want to be living as close to downtown to Vancouver as possible. My dream to live in downtown Vancouver. I know it will be very expensive, but we’ll see. As for work, I don’t want get my heart set on one company, but hopefully it will be a place I enjoy, and feel comfortable in.
Q. What what advice would you give to a first-year?
Don’t be worried if you don’t know enough.
“Fake it till you make it”; this saying can really go a long way…
Have confidence in yourself. This helped me out a lot. Don’t worry if it’s something you’ve never done, or if you think you won’t be able to. Have the confidence!
Don’t underestimate your abilities and knowledge. Everyone is still learning.
Finally, a couple of fun questions…
Q: Tim Hortons or Starbucks?
A: Hmm… It depends on my mood, but usually Starbucks.
Q: Favourite advertisement of all time?
A: I’d say the Gillette commercial… there has been a lot of controversy, but I think it started a real conversation.
Q: Does pineapple belong on pizza?
A: No! I don’t like pineapple at all.
Once again, give it up for Jennifer Onstein, as she is our VP Spotlight this month. The BCITMA website looks amazing, and it was all thanks to Jenny and her team. Thanks again to Jenny for sitting down and speaking with me. Cheers.
