By: Alexandra Zion

What makes Switchboard so special? Most importantly, it’s the people that make up our fantastic team. Today, we’re featuring Alexandra (Alex for short) Zion.

Tell us a little about yourself…

For as long as I can remember, sports have dominated my life and shaped me into the person I am today. Growing up as an elite athlete in both hockey and soccer, I find that I am most comfortable in a fast-paced and competitive lifestyle. I attended Carleton University in Ottawa, where I majored in Communications and Media Studies while being on the Varsity hockey team. I recently completed my postgraduate studies in Sport & Event Marketing at George Brown College in Toronto. 

What do you look forward to most about working at Switchboard?

I really look forward to working with clients who are amazing through and through, and who genuinely care about making a difference in the world and in the lives of others. 

What motivates you to work hard?

Making a difference in the lives of others.

What’s your favourite book?

The Outsiders by S.E Hinton, it highlights that regardless of social status and societal division, we all experience the same issues. It is such an old book, though I’ve loved it since the first time that I read it in grade eight, so I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of it. 

Tell us three interesting facts about yourself…

1. While I eventually had to narrow it down to hockey and soccer, I have played pretty much every sport you can think of as a child – from water polo, to dance, lacrosse, gymnastics, and basketball, I’ve done it all. 
2. I love to travel, and Rome is my absolute favourite city in the world (so far).
3. I have an irrational fear of outer space- don’t know why or where it came from, especially as I have zero plans of going anywhere near space, but it freaks me out every time I think about it.

If you could eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why? 

If I could eat one meal for the rest of my life, it would be chicken fingers. I love them so much that I honestly don’t think that I would ever get tired or sick of them.

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?

If I could choose to do anything for a day, I think it would be to get together with all of my closest friends who I haven’t seen in a long time, and just have the day to hang out by the pool, with no responsibilities what-so-ever, catch up, de-stress, and have a fun girls day.

What unique skill sets do you bring to the team? How did you develop these skills? 

My background as a competitive athlete has helped me shape and develop a certain skill set that has not only proven useful in athletics but has also helped me succeed in the workplace. These skills include: 

• Ability to Perform Under Pressure: as an athlete, having teammates, spectators, and recruits watching your performance, I know how to deliver during “crunch times”. This skill especially comes in handy during high-stress situations when I need to get something done or make a quick and effective decision.
• Teamwork: my role as a teammate has helped me fully understand and appreciate how to balance roles, responsibilities, and individual strengths in a group in order to achieve the best results as a team. 
• Work Ethic: having successfully navigated a rigorous schedule as a student-athlete my whole life, I’m confident that I will have little trouble adjusting to long work hours. For example, waking up at 5:30 in the morning for practice, followed by a team workout and a full day of class has prepared me for any long hours I may have to face for work.

Having also minored in Psychology during my time at Carleton University, I bring a different take on how to deal with, and work with, people with differing personalities than my own. It has given me the tools to be able to identify certain characteristics that encompass different personalities, and understand how those people think and work, which helps me operate and communicate in team settings to ensure the best results for everyone. 

What do you do when you’re not at work?

When I’m not at work, I love to travel and spend time with friends and family.