麻豆传媒

Before moving to Canada, Shashank Kumar Arya worked as a Product Designer for organizations across diverse sectors, from finance to healthcare. 鈥淚鈥檓 passionate about crafting meaningful digital experiences that balance user needs with business impact.鈥�

The Master of Digital Innovation student initially struggled to secure an internship. 鈥淚 applied for roles that matched my experience and was waiting for responses,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 soon realized the job market had shifted significantly. Despite having solid industry experience, I faced multiple rejections and often no replies.鈥�

Opportunities don鈥檛 always come from job boards; they often come from conversations.

Shashank鈥檚 job search strategy changed after meeting Theresa Myra, WIL Co-op鈥檚 Employer Relations Manager, at a Mixer. 鈥淪he understood my challenges and shared insights about today鈥檚 job landscape, strategies to stand out, and how students like me can better position ourselves by networking, aligning with local business needs, and showcasing our value," he says. "Theresa鈥檚 advice reshaped my entire approach.鈥�

Shashank began regularly attending events and taking advantage of community opportunities. 鈥淲ith a fresh mindset and motivation, I started connecting with local businesses, product owners, and community leaders,鈥� he says.听

鈥淭hese conversations weren鈥檛 just about asking for jobs; they became opportunities to educate others about how my skill set could directly support their goals. I highlighted how a thoughtful design strategy can bring measurable business results, especially in early-stage or growing startups.鈥� The interactions brought meaningful professional relationships, helped him adapt to Canadian work culture, and aided his personal and professional growth.

By actively participating in local events, Shashank was able to secure an internship. 鈥淚 met Fahad AlRuhayem, the founder of Hivo. We had discussed startup strategy, design systems, and UX-led product development,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 took the initiative to share insights on how strong UX can be a game-changer in product success, especially for startups.鈥� After the conversation, Shashank created a UX audit, mapped out a design-led product roadmap, and built an AI-powered concept prototype tailored to Hivo鈥檚 goals. After follow-ups and interviews, he was offered the position.听

Shashank discussed his role with Hivo. 鈥淚 focus on elevating the MVP product by bringing in design-first thinking, growth-driven strategies, and actionable features that align with business goals,鈥� he says. 鈥淚鈥檓 also building a scalable design system, managing brand identity, and supporting social media design to create a unified digital experience.鈥�

Shashank discussed the first few weeks of his experience. 鈥淚鈥檝e led a Design Thinking Workshop that helped us redefine our user personas, journey maps, and prioritize feature sets for the next two quarters,鈥� he says. 鈥淚鈥檓 also building a functional design system, revamping Hivo鈥檚 platforms & digital presence, and launching host-focused marketing design campaigns to drive growth.鈥�

We asked Shashank what advice he has for co-op and internship students. 鈥淪tay in touch with the WIL Co-op team. Don鈥檛 hesitate to reach out, get your resume reviewed, or book a mock interview. Their guidance is incredibly personalized, and they鈥檙e well-connected with leaders across Atlantic Canada.鈥澨�

He encourages students to put themselves out there. 鈥淛oin communities, attend local events, and network. Halifax has a thriving ecosystem of professionals open to sharing, mentoring, and collaborating,鈥� he says. 鈥淜eep your LinkedIn updated, write thoughtful posts about your learnings or community involvement, and build your brand. These small steps can open big doors.鈥�

Shashank finds meaning in the quote 鈥済rowth often feels like breaking at first鈥�. 鈥淪taying active, adaptive, and open to meeting new people and learning new skills can be transformational. Keep showing up,鈥� he says. 鈥淜eep exploring. And always believe in the unique value you bring to the table.鈥�

Shashank鈥檚 journey is a testament to the power of adaptability, building meaningful connections, and believing in the value you can bring.

Learn more about the Master of Digital Innovation Internship

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