“Previously I was a freelance editor and the internship made me realize I wanted my career to be in graphic design instead, because I had a flair for it.”

That shift started at Bell, where Laura joined as a website production and junior graphic design assistant in 2014 through Career Edge. It sounds like a clean origin story, but it wasn’t.

Disconcerting is the word she chose to describe her experience.

“I learned quickly with hardly any mentorship from the lead designer. The manager never gave me any indication whether I’d be hired permanently. During my last week I was simply told to turn in my laptop and ID at the end of Friday.”

What the workplace didn’t know, and what Laura felt unable to say, was what was happening outside of it.

“I was under a lot of stress because my dad was dying from cancer. My health was deteriorating and I was briefly hospitalized near the end of my internship. But I felt too intimidated by the manager and lead designer because she didn’t interact with me often.”

The advice she’d give her younger self: “To be more assertive and honest about my situation.”

But even with all these setbacks, she was improving her skills and strengthening her relationship in the background.

“Definitely Photoshop. Having unlimited access improved my skills drastically. A few of the project managers even asked me to edit photos for their IDs. I taught myself how to transform low quality images because they were all accepted.”

The recognition may have been informal, almost accidental. But her skill was real.

“Recruiters started calling and my next role was with Rogers a few months later.”

Then came Ubisoft, from 2021 to 2022, and a moment that felt like the whole arc snapping into place.

“It was the best job I had in terms of work culture because my colleagues were fun and down to earth. They also taught me a lot when it comes to print and packaging. Everything felt like it came full circle because I previously sold video games at Shoppers Drug Mart.”

From selling games behind a counter to designing packaging for them. That’s not a small thing.

On what employers owe early talent, Laura doesn’t ask for much: “Checking in more often with regular feedback makes a huge difference in settling uncertainty and anxiety.”

And on Career Edge, ten years and a full career later:

“Despite my experience, I am truly grateful for what Career Edge has done for me. I would love to give back to the organization any way I can.”