New Member Spotlight

Brittany Cosgrove
Position: Student
Employer (school): Algonquin College Ottawa
Joined MPI in: November 2018
Contact information: brit.cos@hotmail.com, 613-266-6891

1. Tell us a bit about yourself:

I grew up in Barrhaven, Ontario. I had a great family childhood, one brother Matt, a year older than me and my mom is a nurse at Queensway Carleton. My father passed away when I was 17 unfortunately.

I went to St. Joseph’s Catholic High school and graduated in 2008. I went to London to become an Au Pair after high school and lived in Maidenhead where I took care of two children. I then came back to Ottawa and decided to go to school for travel and tourism as I believed travel was my passion and wanted to learn more about it. Following that, I decided to work in a hotel and moved to London, England to pursue a life out there. The hotel experience didn’t work out, so I decided to work in the restaurant industry. There I served some of the most well-known celebrities in the world. From there came back home, then moved to Vancouver and lived there for 3 years. I moved back home again for a few months then got a one-bedroom downtown Toronto. I felt I wasn’t where I should be in life and wasn’t happy still working in restaurants, so I pursued this course by once again moving back home. I now live with my mom and am looking to pursue a successful career in events!

2. How did you join the industry?

I had a friend in the course from a couple years ago, I reconnected with her last January and she talked about the course and it was a no brainer for me at that point.

3. Social Media:

What do you recommend following on social media (i.e. Twitter handle, Pinterest site, Facebook group, etc.)?

I do most of my following on Instagram and Facebook (my only social media).

Facebook following is mostly keeping up with world issues and the news

Instagram following is my friends/family, celebrities, brands, fashion lines and event companies/décor/florists etc.

4. Inspiration:

What is one dream you've seen fulfilled?

I always follow my heart. Going out and living my own life in big cities, like I have.

5. Professional:

What is one small adjustment that has had a big impact on you professionally?

These past two years have been quite trying and I have shifted my career path. It’s been a tough two years, but I have had help from family and friends along the way. It made me realize what I want to do. I met the friend who recommended the program to me through very unfortunate circumstances. I knew I wanted to be successful and I was just waiting to find my future career.

6. Personal:

What is the best thing about being the age you are now?

The best thing is finally realizing who your true self is and what your passion finally is. I have grown up a lot and might be slower at “getting life” but I’ve finally found my own being at this age. I am single and not married or have children or a solid career, yet…

The best thing about being this age is that that pressure is out of the norm now people are building their lives at all different ages.

7. Networking:

What’s your favourite 'icebreaker question' at a networking event/best conversation starter?

‘What has brought you here to this exact point today?’

8. Favourite Quote:

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”

“Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.”
(This one helped me get through some tough times.)

Article written by: Chantale Degagne, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity

Article edited by Rozanne Lyons, CMP, Intertask Conferences