Q & A with fall 2022 graduate Brady Simpson

Master of Science in Management (marketing) graduate Brady Simpson (BMgt Co-op '19, MSc (Mgt) '22) has a passion for learning and sharing his knowledge with others. His thesis, Deserting the Innocent: The Paradoxical Effects of Youthfulness in Influencer Apologies, examines how we view apologies from influencers on social media. His love for his field comes through when he talks about his studies and how he gets to inspire and mentor undergraduate students. During his time here at ULethbridge, he has won the Teaching Assistant of the Year award as a recognition of his hard work and dedication to the students at ULethbridge.

What is your most memorable ULethbridge experience?

Teaching! I loved being a teaching assistant (TA) and working with students. I worked with the Teaching Centre and honed my skills by signing up for their various workshops and programs while working with mentors to hone my teaching abilities.

What is the most important lesson you learned during your time at ULethbridge?

Take breaks. For most of my time as a student, I believed that I always had to be "on." I always need to go and be involved in everything. Sometimes, it's better to pick and choose the things you really want to dedicate yourself to rather than take on too many things and overwhelm yourself. Allow yourself some compassion by giving yourself a period of rest or just "do nothing" days. Of course, be involved and put yourself out there, but also be mindful of your own personal capacity. We should not run faster than we are able.

Is there someone specific who had an essential influence on your ULethbridge experience?

Tanya Drollinger and Katie Lafreniere are the reasons I made it through my graduate degree. I owe them so much. I had a very difficult time during the pandemic, and they never gave up on me. A graduate degree is HARD! It's an accomplishment and takes a lot of work. Katie and Tanya supported me even when I thought I was at my wit's end when I could no longer do it. I am so grateful for their persistence, tenacity, and encouragement. There was a moment I had where I was really struggling and felt like giving up — but I received an e-mail that said something like, "I'll support you either way, but I hope one day you see again in yourself what we see in you." Not long after that, I jumped back in and was able to finish.

Did you receive scholarships and awards?

Scholarships and awards enabled me to study. Period. I was fortunate to receive a lot of funding for my education. Without it, I'm not sure my wife could have taken maternity leave when we had our first child in the middle of a pandemic while I also went to school full time. We are eternally grateful for scholarships and awards.

What are your hopes/plans for the future?

I hope to teach. I had gone in intending to get a PhD. While that's still on the table, I've found so much joy in teaching and instruction. I'm currently in an adult learning position in addition to teaching here at the ULethbridge as a sessional marketing instructor. So, we'll see! I'd love to be a full-time instructor, or maybe I will go the PhD route!

What advice would you like to give those who are about to begin their journey at ULethbridge?

Enjoy the journey. There will be hard times, but that is one thing we can be certain about. You may struggle. There are so many people out there who want to help and support you. You can do it! Embrace each roadblock as a learning opportunity, an opportunity for growth.

Brady's experiences and advice highlight the compassion within the ULethbridge community for students and each other and the excitement that is shared for all student's futures. We are happy to celebrate this significant accomplishment, his hard work as a student, and this big step into teaching here at ULethbridge. Please join us in cheering him on as he starts the next part of this beautiful journey.