Q&A With SSU Social Media Coordinator, Zachary Smajlovic
SSU Social Media Coordinator, Zack Smajlovic, shares insights on his journey as a Business Marketing student and content creator at Sheridan College. From filming campus content to covering events, Zack talks about building confidence, exploring creativity, and growing his skills in social media. If you’re curious about working behind the scenes of SSU’s social platforms, keep reading this Q&A and learn more about Zack’s experience!
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself and your role at the SSU?
A: “Hi, I’m Zack and I’m currently a Business Marketing student at Sheridan College. I’d say I’m an adventurous person who loves new experiences and staying active. I currently work as a Social Media Coordinator at SSU, which has been one of my favourite experiences. On a day-to-day basis I typically plan, create and edit content. Whether it’s filming a story or covering an event, being a social media coordinator has been one of the most interesting roles I’ve worked in. Outside of school and SSU, I like to play soccer, go to the gym, and travel whenever I can!”
Q: How did you first hear about the position, and what was the application process like for you?
A: “I heard about the SSU Social Media Coordinator position through the Sheridan Works’ Instagram page. When I saw this, I wasn’t even sure if I should apply since it seemed like an intimidating role, but I did it anyways since I figured it wouldn’t hurt to try. So, I sent in two videos for them, showing some content that I was proud of. Then, I got an email to have an interview with them and shortly after that I got the role.”
Q: What’s been your favourite piece of content or campaign you’ve worked on so far?
A: “My favourite piece of content that I’ve worked on so far was the Board of Directors campaign that we worked on. Basically, we recorded some videos explaining to candidates how to market themselves as a board of director nominee and I thought that it was interesting to record something that was very informative and educational. It was a change of pace from the typical light-hearted content that we film, as it was more serious and informative.”
Q: What does a typical day look like when managing or creating content for SSU’s social media platforms?
A: “A typical day creating content for SSU’s social media platform involves brainstorming, planning, and executing the content. Typically, we’ll have some general direction on what we should try to do, but we’ll have the creative freedom on how we want to do this. We have a content calendar, so we know exactly what needs to be done by what time. So, I usually plan everything out in my notes starting with a script and details on where I’ll film etc. Then, I’ll film the content by myself or with help from some of my co-workers and then I’ll edit it in CapCut and send it over to the team.”
Q: What advice would you give students who want to get involved with SSU or work in social media?
A: “I would say that they should keep sharpening their skills on their own time and when they see an opportunity they can apply for it. I like to think that everything I did in the past helped me get this role at SSU and it was a cumulative process rather than an overnight success. Also, I would advise students to volunteer at places if they can. Offer to run companies’ social media pages for free and see if there’s any opportunities at Sheridan available as well.”
“I like to think that everything I did in the past helped me get this role at SSU and it was a cumulative process rather than an overnight success.”
- Zachary Smajlovic
Q: What program are you studying, and how has your experience in that program been?
A: “I’m studying Business Marketing and my experience has been good so far. All my professors have been very knowledgeable and taught me a lot about the fundamentals of marketing. I have nothing but good things to say about my program and think that if anybody’s interested in marketing they should enroll in the program.”
Q: What do you enjoy most about studying this program at Sheridan?
A: “I enjoy the knowledge I’m getting about marketing and hearing my professors’ experience in the industry. I think it’s good to learn from people who have already succeeded in the industry and hopefully I’ll be able to replicate their success.”
Q: If you could go back to the beginning of your program, what’s one thing you wish you had known?
A: “If I could go back to the beginning of my program, one thing I wish I knew is that consistency is more important than perfection. I wish I focused my efforts on showing up to class and handing things in on time rather than submitting the perfect assignment. Sometimes I can try to make something perfect rather than getting it done on time, which was something I struggled with at the start of my program at Sheridan.”
Q: What skills from your program have been most useful in your role as an SSU Social Media Coordinator?
A: “I’d say analyzing trends has been really a useful skill that I learned from my program. In the business marketing program, you learn to scan the environment for different trends, and this directly correlates to social media. At SSU, I like to scan social media and see what’s working for competitors and see how we can replicate and even improve these concepts.”
Zack and his case competition partner Valentina during the UTM Fintech Association DASH Case Competition.
Q: If you could go back to the beginning of your program, what’s one thing you wish you had known?
A: “If I could go back to the beginning of my program, one thing I wish I knew is that consistency is more important than perfection. I wish I focused my efforts on showing up to class and handing things in on time rather than submitting the perfect assignment. Sometimes I can try to make something perfect rather than getting it done on time, which was something I struggled with at the start of my program at Sheridan.”
Q: How do you balance your studies and working at the SSU?
A: “I balance my studies at working at SSU by planning everything out in advance. I like to put all my tasks in a to-do list and have everything clearly laid out. That way, I don’t wait until the last minute to start my tasks and have issues. Sometimes, it can be very stressful to manage both but when I applied for SSU I knew this would be the case and I wanted the challenge.”
Q: What’s something that has inspired you lately?
A: “Something that has inspired me is my uncle’s success in business. He was part of a small group that founded a company years ago and now he’s very successful and able to travel worldwide because of it. I’d like to one day do the same thing and I’m trying to learn as much as I can from him.”
Q: What are you passionate about outside of Sheridan?
A: “Firstly, I’m passionate about playing soccer and staying active outside of Sheridan. I like going to the gym and hiking when the weather is nice out as well. I also like to meet new people and go to different events whenever I can whether it’s volunteering at the art gallery of Burlington or networking events in Toronto. I also really like traveling and try to do it as much as possible. I was recently in Spain and Morocco, and they were both very beautiful places!”
Q: What habit or daily ritual can you not live without?
A: “One habit I cannot live without is doing 15 minutes of stretching in the morning. I like to start my day by stretching before doing anything else!”
Q: And finally, what genuinely excites you about what’s next in your life?
A: “What excites me about what’s next in my life is my career. I’m excited to graduate from Sheridan College and start looking for roles in the marketing industry. I want to work in Toronto, but I’m open to relocating and would love to end up working in Europe or Asia if possible. I’m very excited about what’s out there and I know that with my passion for marketing I’ll be able to make an impact in the industry.”
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