Hi! I’m Victoria Man, a second-year student at the University of Toronto, specializing in psychology with a minor in philosophy and a business fundamentals certificate. This past academic year, I had the absolute privilege of working as the Digital Content and Communications Assistant at the Centre for Entrepreneurship (CfE) through the work study program. And let me tell you, this experience wasn’t just a job, it genuinely transformed how I see entrepreneurship and it totally opened my eyes to my own potential.
Discovering My Entrepreneurial Potential
Without truly recognizing it, my journey as a content creator on YouTube and Instagram—sharing insights into university life, Toronto living, and fashion/beauty—was already building an entrepreneurial mindset. However, my experience at the CfE provided a clearer catalyst. Seeing firsthand how entrepreneurs translated their ideas into thriving businesses fundamentally shifted my perspective. It showed me that content creation can be more than just a hobby; it can be a legitimate business.
Hands-on Experience: The Venture Spotlight Series
Producing the Venture Spotlight Series for the CfE's Instagram and LinkedIn channels was a highlight of my experience. More than just content creation, this project provided an immersive education in digital campaign coordination. From crafting interview questions and collaborating with Arts & Science (A&S) entrepreneurs to filming and editing, I gained insight into the crucial role of storytelling and branding. Engaging with the founders and hearing their journeys was transformative. Their drive, resilience, and ability to materialize ideas underscored a powerful realization: my own content creation mirrors the startup process—identifying an audience, addressing a need, and fostering continuous innovation.
Beyond the Venture Spotlight Series, my work study role at CfE allowed me to explore so many facets of communications and entrepreneurship. I produced lab demo videos, provided live social media coverage at U of T events, and crafted engaging articles that spotlighted A&S ventures.
Through all these projects, I wasn’t just documenting entrepreneurship, I was absorbing it. I started seeing my own brand through a different lens, realizing that the strategies founders used—from market positioning to audience engagement—were the same principles I could apply to my own content business. This shift in mindset led me to take bolder steps in my own entrepreneurial journey, resulting in successful brand partnerships with Neutrogena, Lego, and Lewkin. What once felt like a passion project now feels like a true business venture, where I am able to think strategically about partnerships, audience engagement, and long-term brand growth.
The Supportive Ecosystem at CfE
Of course, none of this would have been possible without the incredible team at CfE. My supervisor, Kohen McBride, Marketing & Communications Officer, and the entire CfE staff not only guided and supported me but genuinely valued my ideas and contributions. They empowered me to explore my creativity, trusted me with big projects, and even provided me with access to the labs and equipment to support my content creation and ideas. It’s rare to find a workplace where you feel both challenged and uplifted, and the CfE provided exactly that experience for me.
Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone
During one of my first one-on-one weekly meetings with Kohen, he asked about my goals for the work study experience, and I replied, “I want to try new things and get out of my comfort zone!” This simple conversation became a spark, fostering my development of two core entrepreneurial traits: the willingness to both embrace new challenges and learn from failure. It also opened the door to one of the most memorable moments of my work study experience: co-MCing the Hult Prize 2025 OnCampus Competition at U of T!
Standing on stage and engaging with some of the most brilliant and driven student entrepreneurs was both exhilarating and inspiring, ultimately solidifying my confidence in pursuing content creation. It also empowered me to take the next step in starting up the Journal of Psychology & Law, a student-run academic journal—a long-held passion project aligned with my academic interests.
Reflecting on this past year, I feel so lucky to be part of a team that fosters entrepreneurship in every sense of the word. This work study wasn’t just a job; it was an experience that shaped me, inspired me, and confirmed my love for content creation and entrepreneurship.
Curious? Explore your idea with the CfE
If you're an Arts & Science student with even a spark of curiosity about entrepreneurship, or simply want to explore an idea, I strongly recommend connecting with the CfE. Dive into their brainstorming sessions, collaborate in their co-working spaces, network at events, and bring your ideas to reality in their prototyping labs and makerspaces.
You, like me, may discover your own untapped potential and experience a profound shift in your perspective, goals, and career path.
Oh, and keep an eye out for work study opportunities over the summer and fall, you may just get the chance to work with me and the incredible team here!
Here’s to more innovation, inspiration, and the incredible people who make it happen!