On the first episode of season 2, hosts Katy and Emma speak with Jayesh Vekariya, a UVic MBA graduate who is the CEO and one of the founders of Joni, a Victoria-based company that produces organic, sustainable menstrual products.

Jayesh is also one of UVic’s 2024 Emerging Alumni.

Join us as we talk with Jayesh about:

• how growing up in Gujurat, India inspired him to launch a business that tackles sustainability and poverty reduction
• what it was like pivoting from a career in pharmacy to pursue his third graduate program at UVic
• tackling the issue of period poverty
• finding a business partner in Linda Biggs, who previously served as chief operating officer at Victoria-based reusable food wrap company Abeego

…and much more!

Resources from this episode

· Joni

· Emerging Alumni Award

· The UVic Co-op Program

· Accessing career support

Contact us

• Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter
• Follow UVic Co-op and Career on social media

• (00:00) - Intro
• (00:32) - Welcome to today's episode
• (01:39) - Introducing Jayesh Vekariya
• (02:12) - What does Joni produce?
• (03:38) - Addressing sustainability and accessibility in menstrual care
• (06:24) - How do you develop an idea you had as a student into a viable business for community?
• (09:34) - How did you choose menstrual products as a business focus?
• (10:38) - How did you tackle branding?
• (12:13) - Why was it important to find a business partner?
• (00:15) - How did your co-op experience help you develop your business?
• (18:34) - How do co-op students help you as an employer?
• (20:26) - Why did you choose UVic?
• (21:51) - What advice do you have for students interested in entrepreneurship?
• (25:00) - Rapid fire questions about Jayesh's time at UVic
• (26:18) - If you could do it all again, what would you do more of?

How can you avoid burnout by practicing self-care at work?

Katy and Emma chat with career educator Darcie Gabruck about recognizing signs of burnout, setting boundaries in the workplace, setting up strategies for sustainable self-care, and addressing and healing from burnout when it happens.

Resources from this episode

· UVic Student Wellness

· UVic Career Services

· UVic Multifaith Centre

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What can you do with a degree in… history?

Katy and Emma chat with guest Natasha Thambirajah about how a history and political science degree led to a career in digital health public policy.

Natasha Thambirajah is a third-generation public servant and has worked for the Province of BC since 2006. Over the past 15 years, she has led nationally recognized examples of transformative, citizen-centred public policy, including the prize-winning BC Services Card and the modernization of gender identity expression on government-issued identification. Natasha completed a double major Bachelor of Arts in history and political science at UVic, and holds a Master of Arts from the University of Manitoba and a Master of Science in Public Health from the London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. This podcast was created while Natasha was still working for the Province of BC. She recently left government to establish her own inclusive, equitable and BIPOC friendly strategic management consultancy, Haven Consulting.

Join us as we talk about:

· Strategies for making change in public health policy

· Working in government as a BIPOC woman

· Building equity through digital health policy

· Creating a strong team as a manager and leader

· Tips for students who are interested in a career in the public service

And much more!

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Follow UVic Co-op and Career on social media

• Natasha's consulting firm: Haven Consulting