Where product meets possibility
Chantelle Thierry explored product marketing, strategy and management, using each experience to better understand where her skills, interests and goals aligned.
Chantelle Thierry, a fourth-year Global Business and Digital Arts (GBDA) student, has spent her co-op journey exploring different sides of the product world. From product marketing to product strategy to product management, each experience helped her refine her interests while building a career path that blends creativity, strategy and technology.
Chantelle’s co-op journey
End User Support Co-ordinator, D2L, Kitchener, ON
Chantelle's first co-op introduced her to the technology industry through a role assisting D2L's global support team. She analyzed service metrics, identified potential cost savings, created reports for senior leadership and clients, and helped develop onboarding and training materials. During this role, she also participated in D2L's campus ambassador program, connecting with students and sharing insights about co-op and career development.
Product Marketing Co-ordinator, D2L, Kitchener, ON
After extending her first role part-time, Chantelle leveraged internal networking opportunities to transition into product marketing. Working with teams across Europe, Latin America and Asia, she supported product launches, interactive demos, website content and go-to-market initiatives. The experience sparked an interest that shaped her future co-op terms.
Digital Product Strategy, Manulife, Toronto, ON
At Manulife, Chantelle worked on the digital health and group benefits side of the business, helping co-lead the launch of Aeroplan rewards initiatives. She collaborated with engineering teams, conducted testing and usability reviews and gained deeper exposure to product strategy and development.
Junior Product Manager, Zoocasa by eXp Realty, Remote
Currently, Chantelle is building on her previous experiences as a Junior Product Manager at Zoocasa. Working closely with product and engineering teams, she supports roadmaps, product launches, project planning and cross-functional collaboration while continuing to expand her understanding of product management within the real estate industry.
Q&A with Chantelle Thierry
Why did you choose to study GBDA?
“I wanted a program that would allow me to combine my analytical, strategic and creative interests.”
“When I was exploring programs, I knew I didn't want to pursue a traditional business degree, but I still wanted a strong business foundation. At the same time, I had always been interested in design and technology, so GBDA felt like the perfect balance.”
“One of the things I appreciate most about the program is how hands-on it is. Rather than focusing solely on theory, we spend a lot of time applying concepts through projects and collaboration. That made the transition from school to co-op feel much more natural because I was already used to solving real problems and working with teams.”
“The small class sizes also made a huge difference. Having professors who know your name, understand your goals and are willing to support you throughout your journey is something I've always valued about the program.”
What interested you in product management especially coming from a background outside of engineering?
“It's a question I get a lot.”
“I discovered the management side through product marketing. As I learned more about how products are developed, launched and positioned, I became increasingly interested in the strategic side of the work.”
“While product management is often associated with technical backgrounds, I've found that my GBDA experience has been incredibly valuable.”
“The program gave me enough technical knowledge to communicate effectively with engineers while also providing a strong foundation in business, design and marketing, which has been incredibly valuable.”
“In many ways, I see my role as helping connect different perspectives. Understanding both the technical and business sides of a project allows me to collaborate across teams and think about problems from multiple angles. That's something I've found especially valuable throughout my co-op experiences.”
Looking back on your co-op experiences, what has been the most rewarding thing?
“One of the most rewarding aspects of co-op has been learning what I enjoy and what I don't enjoy before entering the workforce full-time.”
“I've worked in different environments, including in-person, hybrid and fully remote workplaces. Each experience taught me something different about how I work best and what I value in a role.”
“Another rewarding aspect has been seeing the impact of my work. Across each of my co-op terms, I've been trusted with projects that were actually implemented and continued beyond my time there.”
“Knowing that something I contributed is still being used today is incredibly rewarding. Receiving recognition from senior leaders and hearing that my work made a difference reinforced that I was creating meaningful value as a co-op student.”
You’ve worked in product marketing, product strategy, and product management. What did each experience teach you, and how did they help you figure out what you enjoy most?
“Each role helped me understand a different piece of the product ecosystem.”
“Product marketing introduced me to product development and is really what sparked my curiosity. Product strategy then helped me develop a deeper understanding of how products are planned, tested and improved. Product management brought everything together and allowed me to work closely with engineering teams while balancing priorities across multiple projects.”
“Across all three roles, I discovered that I enjoy fast-paced environments where there's always something new to learn. Whether I was supporting multiple product launches or collaborating with several teams at once, I found myself energized by the variety and challenge.”
“While I'm still open to different opportunities, these experiences confirmed that product is an area I want to continue exploring and growing within.”
Was there a moment when you realized product was the career path you wanted to pursue?
“I think that realization happened during my time at D2L.”
“It was a busy environment and there were always multiple projects happening at once. I was supporting launches, collaborating across teams and managing a variety of responsibilities.”
“What stood out to me wasn't how busy I was. It was the fact that I wasn't drained by the work. I genuinely enjoyed what I was doing. Even when things became hectic, I remained excited to learn, contribute and take on new challenges. That was when I realized I had found an area of work that aligned with my interests and strengths.”
“My experience at Manulife reinforced that feeling, and I've continued to feel the same way in my current role.”
What advice would you give GBDA students interested in product management who don't think they have the typical background?
“Don't be intimidated.”
“I think a lot of students underestimate how valuable their experiences and skills already are.”
“One of the best things you can do is have conversations with people. Coffee chats, networking events and conversations with professors helped me learn about different career paths and discover opportunities I wouldn't have found otherwise.”
“You don't need to have everything figured out before reaching out to someone. Some of the most valuable conversations I've had started with me simply saying that I knew what I liked but wasn't sure where I fit.”
“Our professors are also incredible resources. Many of them have extensive industry experience and genuinely want to help students succeed. Don't be afraid to lean on those resources and ask questions.”
“Every conversation teaches you something, and you never know which one might help shape your next opportunity.”
What's next for you?
“Right now, my immediate goal is graduating and continuing to build a career in product.”
“I'm particularly interested in product management and product strategy roles, ideally within the technology space. At the same time, I'm someone who likes to keep an open mind and remain open to new opportunities.”
“Long term, I'd love to continue growing my skills, pursue certifications related to product management and keep learning throughout my career.”
“At the end of the day, I'm a lifelong learner, and I'm excited to see where the next stage of my journey takes me.”