Navigating the job market can be a daunting journey, but for Simon Blanchette, a proud McGill alumnus (BComâ14), it is a story of resilience, self-awareness, and growth. In McGill Management Insightsâ season two premiere, Simon shares candid reflections on overcoming rejection, building resilience, and the invaluable lessons learned during his time at McGill.
Simonâs journey has been far from linearâa theme he emphasizes throughout the conversation.
âIt happened through networking, not a job posting,â Simon reflects. This experience underscored his belief in the power of connections.
âYour network is your net worth,â he highlights, explaining that up to 80% of jobs are never publicly posted. For Simon, networking isnât just about opportunityâitâs about building genuine relationships. âStart with social conversations, not job titles. People like to talk about themselves, so be curious and listen.â
Simonâs journey also included moments of self-doubt and stagnation. He described a work experience where, despite his comfort, he began to feel complacent.
âI realized I wasnât learning new skills anymoreâI was just improving the ones I already had. It was comfortable but not fulfilling.â
Loyalty to the organization and strong relationships made leaving difficult, but Simon knew a bold change was needed to move forward.
âI was 30, and I had to ask myself âDo I want to be here in 15 years?ââ he says.
Making the leap wasnât easy, especially during a time when personal challenges added pressure. Yet, it was this transition that enabled Simon to prioritize his growth and own goals.
âSometimes stepping awayâeven if it feels like failureâcreates space for clarity,â he shares. âFor someone who works all the time, taking a pause felt uncomfortable, but it was necessary.â
Simon also speaks candidly about rejection; an experience that has helped him build resilience.
âYou canât internalize rejection. Sometimes, the reason has nothing to do with you,â he explains, recounting a professional experience where a promising collaboration fell apart. âI later found out the person had a previous failed partnership, and that made them hesitantâit wasnât about me at all.â
For young professionals facing rejection or failure, Simon encourages a mindset shift: âYou donât learn from experiencesâyou learn from analyzing them. Reflect, recalibrate, and keep moving forward.â
His time at McGill played a pivotal role in developing this perspective. Simon recalls taking an Organizational Behaviour course, where a professor set the tone by saying to the class on the very first day: âI believe you should struggle.â This philosophy taught Simon to embrace discomfort as part of the learning process. âStruggling is normalâitâs how you grow,â he shares.
From joining competitive student clubs to attending networking events and conferences, Simon learned that every occasion can have an impact on personal and professional development. This still holds true today. Simon strongly believes that part of your success is that you need to put yourself out there and be proactive.
Simon remains a strong advocate for self-care and balance. Despite his packed schedule as a consultant, scholar, and educator, he prioritizes âuntouchable spacesâ in his lifeânon-negotiable moments for wellness and connection.
âWhether itâs going to the gym, grabbing coffee with friends, or taking a walk, you need to protect those spaces at all costs,â he advises. âIf you let them slip, check in with yourself and recalibrate before it becomes a slippery slope.â
Simon closed the conversation with an empowering reminder: âYour career doesnât have to be linear. Transitions are not failuresâtheyâre progress. Whether youâre moving up, sideways, or pausing to reflect, youâre still growing. Skills are transferable, and you can always reskill or reorient yourself.â
Tune in to the season premiere of McGill Management Insights to hear the full interview.
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This episode was hosted by
Megan Curadeau, BCom (U2)
