8 Skills I attained from My LIL Champion's Journey!

I found out about LinkedIn Learning Ambassador Program while researching some campus ambassador programs in North America which seemed like a perfect opportunity to get some hands-on experience to supplement my education in Marketing program at Seneca.

I still remember the journey of sending my application for the LIL champion program to receiving an acceptance mail from LinkedIn. It was an exciting opportunity to attend the orientation at the LinkedIn Office and beginning yet another chapter of my life.

LIL Champion Program allows your experiences to become a great source of knowledge for potential students, develops one's professional skills, and enriches the student's journey. As a LinkedIn Learning Champion we take part in these activities:

Engage in skill-based projects

Build weekly campaigns

Lead workshops & events

Public speaking Opportunities

Build Community across campus

I would like to share the insights of my journey here:

Time Management

Finding a perfect balance between the LIL champion program's activities along with the coursework and work responsibilities helped me get a handle on my time management skills.

I used google/wall calendar to manage my time and to follow up with the timeline. Setting a goal for two activities each week which were not always achieved, helped me reach where I am today.

Leadership 

This program helps Champion’s to strengthen leadership skills by executing the company vision and setting a tone while engaging in different activities. It is important to lead by example to inspire others to do the same.

It helps in great communication and people skills while working with different teams and networks within or outside of campus.

My collaboration with the Seneca Career Development team helped to promote the use of LinkedIn learning while sharing knowledge on how to optimize LinkedIn Profile with workshops, networking booths, talking about the LinkedIn learning during classes, talking to professors about curating a bundle of LinkedIn learning courses to supplement the program outline.

LinkedIn Learning 

Learning is a vital part of this program. As LIL Champions, we are supposed to practice what we preach, hence, I made sure to “Always be learning”. I completed 30 hours of learning this past academic year at the LinkedIn Learning platform which helped me upgrade my skillset.

One of the courses I completed was on “Learning to Run webinar” and which helped me start a LinkedIn Webinar Series powered by Seneca Career Development.

Currently, I am on a learning path to attain new skills in marketing and communication. Where I completed a course "Become a PR specialist" and on my way to complete courses on digital marketing and project management to further expand my horizon as a marketing professional.

Mentoring 

This program helps the champions to mentor fellow students by providing information, guidance, and encouragement.

My capstone project for the LIL champion program was about mentoring, where I volunteered as LinkedIn Profile Critique each week for 2 hrs with Seneca Career Development. I helped over 40 students with their profiles and guided them on how to use LinkedIn learning to upgrade their skills and showcasing them on the LinkedIn platform.

Networking

The purpose of networking in this program is to form and nurture relationships during program-related engagements. Knowing more people gives us greater access, facilitates the sharing of information, which makes it easier to influence others. Influencing people you know is easier than influencing strangers, this program prepares you for the latter.

As a LIL Champion, I networked with students from all programs during the LinkedIn Learning Day’s networking booths and In-class presentations at different Seneca Campuses, as well as with other passionate LIL champions & senior mentors from across North America and learned from their journey as well.

Public Speaking

Public speaking is yet another important aspect of this program as it helps you to improve your confidence and knowledge. The preparation that goes into a presentation and the fact that you must work out how to communicate with others effectively makes you understand your content in-depth.

I presented 3 in-class presentations, 5 In-person workshops, and 15 online workshops along with an awesome opportunity to present at the 2020 Ontario Project Management Competition organized by PMI Toronto Chapter which helped me hone my public speaking skills.

Application of Marketing Skills

This program doesn't require one to have a marketing degree but understanding marketing core principles is vital to the success of the program.

One of LIL champion's main roles is to maintain a consistent social media or blog presence, from their own accounts.

Champions must project a consistent image with informative posts, creatives, and have a clear niche among the audience. 

Personal Branding 

The LinkedIn Learning Champion program helps us establish a personal brand that is so important for getting the right people to notice you and have the right opportunities you’re your way without ever really seeking them out. Making a name for yourself could be a hard thing to do but it’s best to start while you’re in college to make your life easier.

When we talk about "personal branding" we are referring to establishing and promoting what we stand for and the LIL Champion program helped me create a niche in public speaking, which opened doors for many other opportunities.

LinkedIn Learning Champion Program has helped me discover a new passion for coaching & mentoring while I stay on my learning path. Last but not the least, It doesn't feel like the end of the beginning and but the beginning of a new journey altogether.

 Immense gratitude & a standing Ovation for our beloved Mentor Jennifer Catallo

Thank you, Richard Lue, Hana el Kaissi, Suzette Williams, Sheila Bruce, Orphtee Quarcoo, and my LIL champion mentor Debika Roy for the consistent support and encouragement, Without that I would not have achieved these milestones to this extent and developed a passion for the things I am doing now.