Open Office: RYCOR Summer 2019 Marketing Intern Spotlight
The Open Office Series showcases conversations with the RYCOR Team. RYCOR is proud to have a diverse group of team members with amazing stories and we are excited to share with you some of their insights. This issue is the first in the series.
This summer, RYCOR had the pleasure of working with two talented interns from both the US and Canada. We loved their energy and enthusiasm and have appreciated the assistance they brought in driving growth to the company with their work in the Marketing Department.
Not only do these two share the experience of being Marketing Interns for RYCOR, but both are student-athletes. Read more from their interviews to see what else they share and see why they think Vancouver is a great place to study, work, and play.
Serena Xue
Hometown: Delta, BC
School: The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Pennsylvania
Program: Philosophy, Politics, Economics Major; Choice & Behavior Concentration; Consumer Psychology Minor
Sport: Women’s NCAA Division I Varsity Swimming
RYCOR Project Focus and Outcomes:
I am working on the summer intern project which includes research and making project recommendations. I am also working on digital marketing campaigns, PR and copywriting, and assisting with the implementation of our business strategy.
What do you hope to take away from your summer internship with RYCOR?
Gaining experience in the marketing industry and gaining new skills of course, but also having more confidence in my work and trusting that my ideas can be valuable.
How has swimming prepared you for working at RYCOR?
There are a few things such as time management, prioritization, and hard work that I’ve learned through swimming which have carried through to my life, but what people don’t realize is that swimming is as much a team sport as it is an individual sport. Each individual needs to do their own part for the team to come together. Working at RYCOR has been very similar. While every department has a different role, I can see how everyone’s work contributes to the mission of the company.
After RYCOR:
I will be heading back to Philadelphia for my senior year at The University of Pennsylvania and will be serving as team captain of the Women’s Varsity Swim Team for the 2019/2020 season.
Who was your mentor during the internship and what is the most interesting thing you have learned from him?
Ron Bertram, VP of Sales and Marketing. He taught me that you should always be asking questions. Even if you don’t have anything to ask, it is important to always have something ready because it shows that you are listening and trying to learn. Also, sometimes you need to push a little to be successful or to get what you want.
Favorite Quote, Advice or Joke:
“Why would anybody ever eat anything besides breakfast food?” – Leslie Knope
Vancouver is a great place to study, work, and play because:
This might sound cliché, but Vancouver has everything. There are so many different professional opportunities in the city, but Vancouver is also huge on the cultural side. The thing I enjoy most is how you can always escape the city and find a cool place for an outdoor adventure.
Eric Margo
Hometown: North Vancouver, B.C
School: Queen’s University, Kingston Ontario
Program: Applied Economics
Sport: OUA Men’s Ice Hockey for the Queen’s Gaels
RYCOR Project Focus and Outcomes:
My project focus for this summer is to explore and develop a long-term strategic planning roadmap for the company. This self-driven project explores future markets in which our existing software can thrive in and outlines an action plan to follow.
What do you hope to take away from your summer internship with RYCOR?
As with every job, I look to learn as much as possible and absorb skills that may transfer on to the rest of my career. With RYCOR, I look to observe how a company can grow and thrive within the software industry. On a very personal note, I’m eager to develop a self-driven project in which I take ownership over and feel a sense of pride in my own work.
How has hockey prepared you for working at RYCOR?
Although this question could spark an essay answer, there are three qualities that I attribute to hockey. Time Management: Being a student-athlete means your time is valuable. Your procrastination will be reflected in your results, whether it be on and off the ice. Being Coachable: The ability to accept and grow from peer & coach direction, even if the direction is criticism. Being a “Team Player”: The ability to adapt yourself for the betterment of the team, empathize with other’s situations and recognize when issues need to be brought up.
After RYCOR:
I will return to Queen’s University to play my senior year for the Queen’s Men’s Hockey Team and defend the OUA Championship.
Who was your mentor during the internship and what is the most interesting thing you have learned from him?
Ron Bertram. Thus far one thing stands out as my key takeaway from Ron – the power of silence. Silence isn’t a negative, in the right situation silence implies thinking and a deep thought process. Questions do not always have to be answered right away, but questions must be answered with a calculated and articulated response.
Favorite Quote, Advice or Joke:
“I’m not superstitious but I am a little stitious.” — Michael Scott
Vancouver is a great place to study, work, and play because:
The moderate summer climate makes outdoor activities possible. The city’s location is unbeatable, it allows you to explore the mountains, the ocean and lakes all within a 15-minute drive (or 30-minute bike). Lastly, Vancouver’s cultural diversity makes for a very inclusive & welcoming environment in addition to providing an incredible culinary scene.