In Winter 2024, I locked in on landing a URA role and spent every spare moment hunting down openings. I customized dozens of cover letters, tweaked my résumé for each project description, and hit “submit” on 41 applications—all while juggling classes, intramurals, and late-night study sessions. I checked my inbox obsessively, hopeful that a single interview invite would validate all those hours of prep. It wasn’t just about the job; it was about proving to myself that I could cut through the noise and find my place in research.
My URA journey & summer 2024 job hunt
Applying felt like running uphill: slow, exhausting—and often ending with nothing but more uphill to climb.
The stats
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41 URA applications
- 11 first-round calls
- 29 crickets
- 1 offer (which I happily accepted)
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51 intern/co-op applications
- 1 interview (Metrolinx)
- 10 polite “no thanks”
- 40 radio silence
In total: 12 conversations, 6 rejections, 4 ghostings, and 1 golden ticket.
The offer I skipped
One afternoon, an unexpected email popped up: an offer to predict solid-fat content in triglycerides—with zero interview. If I can’t even spell “triglyceride” without Googling it, how did they think I’d measure it? I passed.
Why I accepted the marketing & consumer studies URA
It wasn’t flashy, but it was real work. I built an AI chatbot for the MCS2020 DE course, ran literature reviews on ethics, and sat in on meetings that shaped our department’s research questions. Hands-on experience—and a steady paycheck—won me over.
My Metrolinx detour
Getting that Metrolinx interview felt like a milestone—my very first one. It was for a general student role, so I didn’t expect it and barely prepared. Considering it was an online interview, I had to adapt to the virtual format on the fly. I logged in, tackled their questions in real time, and even without an offer, I walked away with a boost in confidence and a sharper sense of how to share my story under pressure.
Key takeaways
- Cast a wide net. You never know which application will land.
- Rejection is part of the deal. Ghosting stings, but it’s not personal.
- Follow your gut. If a role feels off, trust your instincts.
- Unexpected paths teach the most. The detours often lead to growth.
That summer tested my persistence and patience—and rewarded me with a research role, new skills, and proof that I belong in tech. Onward to the next challenge! 🚀