How Preparation and Persistence Led Yi Ren to Aviva Canada
Yi Ren (MMAI ‘26), recently achieved an exciting milestone in her career journey — securing an internship as an Enterprise Governance Risk Coordinator at Aviva Canada.
Ren’s journey to this opportunity began with a proactive mindset. Once she decided to start applying for roles, she immediately turned to the Centre for Career Design (CCD) for guidance. “I booked the earliest available appointment to review my resume,” Ren shared. “Before the meeting, I watched the CCD’s workshop videos on Handshake and used the Big Interview platform to analyze and improve my resume. That preparation helped me make the most of my session with [Chris Symonds, Career Design Advisor at the CCD].”
Her preparation didn’t stop there. When Ren was invited to interview for the position, she took a research-driven approach. She explored the profiles of professionals currently working in similar roles on LinkedIn to better understand the skills and experiences valued by employers. This allowed her to tailor her responses and demonstrate a strong alignment between her background and the role.
“I also reviewed the job description carefully,” Ren explained, “because interviewers often focus on areas where they see potential gaps. Practicing through Big Interview helped me anticipate common questions and refine my answers.” Before her final interview, she met with Symonds to rehearse in a conversational setting — an experience she described as both practical and confidence-building.
Ren’s strategic organization also played a key role in her success. She developed a system of creating a dedicated folder for every job she applied to, containing the job description, tailored application materials, interview notes, and reflections. “It does take time,” Ren noted, “but focusing on fewer, more meaningful roles has improved my success rate and helped me better understand my career direction. Just like students deepen their learning by doing homework, reflecting on each application has helped me understand both the job market and myself better.”
Through intentional preparation, self-reflection, and effective use of CCD resources, Ren turned her career goals into a reality — showcasing how thoughtful planning and persistence can pave the way to professional growth.
