Two weeks into my position as Business Development Representative (BDR) at D2L, I was sitting in a Q&A Zoom session with some of the executive leadership and a few dozen other new hires. I hadn’t yet perfected the art of Zoom calls and as a result, hadn’t blinked in 4 minutes. It was in this vulnerable state that I was suddenly called upon by the CEO of D2L, John Baker.
“Jackie, it looks like you’ve got a burning question,” he said.
Naturally, I panicked. The questions I had prepared abandoned me, and the first thing that came to me in this time of need was:
“It is true that Headquarters has a slide inside?”
If you’re reading this, I think it’s safe to assume that you’re considering applying for a job at D2L (which, by the way, you definitely should!). The slide rumor was graciously denied, but even without, D2L is the place to be – and I don’t necessarily mean physically, having not yet set foot in the office myself.
I started with D2L in October 2020, mid-pandemic, from my bedroom. I was nervous about the remote work, the virtual onboarding and missing out on bring-your-dog-to-work and office cake parties, but despite all these initial concerns, my experience has been nothing but positive! I surprised myself with how much I could learn so quickly, and how strong the relationships and friendships I could build through a screen really were. Every day I feel thankful for the amazing individuals I get to work with, and each new challenge and opportunity the role brings.
D2L truly is a place where you feel inspired to contribute your best every single day, and if you’re anything like I was seven months ago, without a clear idea of what that means or where life is leading you, then there’s no better place to start! The BDR role is the perfect position for those curious about sales and looking to grow professionally. You’ll learn about our company and the ways we help schools and organizations by engaging with prospective partners, coordinating introductory conversations, and discussing how we address today’s important questions surrounding accessibility, scalability, and innovation in education.
I’ve grown a lot over the last year, both personally and professionally. I recently made a transition to our enterprise team where my focus is on larger institutions across North America, and without getting too ahead of myself, I have already begun thinking about what’s next in my D2L career. This is in huge thanks to the many incredible D2L mentors who’ve guided me along the way.
The D2L family will warmly welcome you aboard and invest in your growth – as it has seen a ton of growth itself! The company culture of this now international organization is rich and limitless. It is felt in every team meeting, virtual happy hour, and care-package received.
I’m excited to see what my future with D2L holds, and I urge you to check out our current openings!
Written by
Jackie started as a Business Development Representative (BDR) with D2L’s higher education team in October 2020. She is a leading BDR at D2L and is also a happy recipient of D2L’s Antler Award and Outbound Spiff award. Before D2L, Jackie lived, worked, and traveled in Europe while teaching primary school, both face-to-face and online. When not at her desk, you might find her back-country camping, exploring a new place, walking her dog, or eating Sunday brunch!