Oliver Zihlmann
BA 2005: International Relations
Where did Oliver work?
Work term 1 (8 months)
Community Development Assistant, Muscular Dystrophy Canada
Work term 2 (4 months)
Customer Service Representative, Canada Customs and Revenue Agency
Work term 3 (4 months)
Research Assistant, UBC Enrolment Services
What did Oliver accomplish?
Muscular Dystrophy Canada
In his position as a Community Development Assistant, Oliver supported the Vancouver office with its fundraising and community development projects. He assisted in both marketing the events through creating promotional material and in event coordination. He had the opportunity to work on 3 special events: The 100 year anniversary of Harley Davidson, a Hockey Day hosted by Electronic Arts and taking a team to the BC Disability Games where he was responsible for the personal care and well being of the team members. This eye-opening experience was also his most memorable one, and Oliver was able to make a connection between the job and its impact on others.
Canada Customs and Revenue Agency
Oliver worked as a Customer Service Representative, where he answered phone calls on both the GST tax and child tax benefit lines. He learned how to check through large amounts of information quickly in order to effectively solve complex situations. Speaking with a wide range of individuals with various issues over the phone taught Oliver how to really listen and when to ask more questions. This is a skill he has found extremely valuable throughout his career and is a skill he uses today.
UBC Enrolment Services
During his final work term, Oliver was involved in 3 projects at UBC. He updated the UBC Askme website, participated in an e-portfolio pilot and worked with the UPass program. For the first project, he tracked student questions on the website in order to find trends to customize questions and answers on the website, making it more helpful for students. Oliver was introduced to e-portfolios through the second project he worked on, where he explored this technology and created a report online about it. Finally, Oliver had the opportunity to work on UPass exemptions and interacted with students to answer their questions. It was important for Oliver to apply the skills he developed in his previous work terms including assessing situations and really listening to each individual case in order to successfully evaluate students’ requests. After taking some time off to travel, Oliver obtained a full-time position with Enrolment Services before pursuing a career in the private sector.
What would Oliver tell others about Co-op?
According to Oliver, “there is no substitute for experience.” He says, “during university you develop a base of knowledge which you may or may not apply [to your job], but will gain writing and critical thinking skills. Through co-op you will get real experience which you will take to a work environment after graduation.”
Where did he work after graduating?
Oliver was the Senior Project Manager with Global Medical Services (now Iridia Medical), which was a branch of Global Medical Services, and worked in health care and emergency preparedness. He managed some of the organization’s major health projects, internal strategy and longer term goals. He championed the hiring of UBC Arts Co-op students at Global Consulting, and is actively involved with giving back to the program.
Benefits of Co-op
The knowledge and skills he gained through co-op have provided Oliver with “a solid base from which to stand.” He was able to apply the critical thinking and analysis skills he developed through his education to the work place, where he learned how to interact and communicate with others in a professional manner. He gained 3 professional references and developed a network of contacts that enabled him to obtain a position more easily upon graduation. The listening, writing and interpersonal skills he developed have benefitted Oliver throughout his career. In addition, Oliver’s first work term with Muscular Dystrophy Canada is something he always looks back on, and still considers working for a non-profit organization in a management position as part of his career path.
Oliver Zihlmann
BA 2005: International Relations
Where did Oliver work?
Work term 1 (8 months)
Community Development Assistant, Muscular Dystrophy Canada
Work term 2 (4 months)
Customer Service Representative, Canada Customs and Revenue Agency
Work term 3 (4 months)
Research Assistant, UBC Enrolment Services
What did Oliver accomplish?
Muscular Dystrophy Canada
In his position as a Community Development Assistant, Oliver supported the Vancouver office with its fundraising and community development projects. He assisted in both marketing the events through creating promotional material and in event coordination. He had the opportunity to work on 3 special events: The 100 year anniversary of Harley Davidson, a Hockey Day hosted by Electronic Arts and taking a team to the BC Disability Games where he was responsible for the personal care and well being of the team members. This eye-opening experience was also his most memorable one, and Oliver was able to make a connection between the job and its impact on others.
Canada Customs and Revenue Agency
Oliver worked as a Customer Service Representative, where he answered phone calls on both the GST tax and child tax benefit lines. He learned how to check through large amounts of information quickly in order to effectively solve complex situations. Speaking with a wide range of individuals with various issues over the phone taught Oliver how to really listen and when to ask more questions. This is a skill he has found extremely valuable throughout his career and is a skill he uses today.
UBC Enrolment Services
During his final work term, Oliver was involved in 3 projects at UBC. He updated the UBC Askme website, participated in an e-portfolio pilot and worked with the UPass program. For the first project, he tracked student questions on the website in order to find trends to customize questions and answers on the website, making it more helpful for students. Oliver was introduced to e-portfolios through the second project he worked on, where he explored this technology and created a report online about it. Finally, Oliver had the opportunity to work on UPass exemptions and interacted with students to answer their questions. It was important for Oliver to apply the skills he developed in his previous work terms including assessing situations and really listening to each individual case in order to successfully evaluate students’ requests. After taking some time off to travel, Oliver obtained a full-time position with Enrolment Services before pursuing a career in the private sector.
What would Oliver tell others about Co-op?
According to Oliver, “there is no substitute for experience.” He says, “during university you develop a base of knowledge which you may or may not apply [to your job], but will gain writing and critical thinking skills. Through co-op you will get real experience which you will take to a work environment after graduation.”
Where did he work after graduating?
Oliver was the Senior Project Manager with Global Medical Services (now Iridia Medical), which was a branch of Global Medical Services, and worked in health care and emergency preparedness. He managed some of the organization’s major health projects, internal strategy and longer term goals. He championed the hiring of UBC Arts Co-op students at Global Consulting, and is actively involved with giving back to the program.
Benefits of Co-op
The knowledge and skills he gained through co-op have provided Oliver with “a solid base from which to stand.” He was able to apply the critical thinking and analysis skills he developed through his education to the work place, where he learned how to interact and communicate with others in a professional manner. He gained 3 professional references and developed a network of contacts that enabled him to obtain a position more easily upon graduation. The listening, writing and interpersonal skills he developed have benefitted Oliver throughout his career. In addition, Oliver’s first work term with Muscular Dystrophy Canada is something he always looks back on, and still considers working for a non-profit organization in a management position as part of his career path.