Working with Leyadoll: Our Practicum Student's Experience
Earlier this week, we announced on LinkedIn that we were welcoming our first practicum student in Canada. To wrap up her first week, we asked Kaylie to write a brief blog about her experiences so far. Here's what she had to say.
Kaylie: If I had to describe my first week at Leyadoll in one word, it would be fun. Each morning is filled with collaboration, brainstorming, and learning the art of pitching new ideas. I come into the office feeling excited and optimistic about the goals we set each day and the opportunity to help bring those ideas to life.
At its core, Leyadoll is about unwrapping smiles. While the dolls themselves are adorable, the heart of the company goes far beyond the product. From my first day, I was welcomed with open arms and encouraged to make the most of my time here. That support has made it easy to dive into projects and feel like a valued part of the team.
One of the highlights of my first week has been seeing the smiles of children holding their own Leyadoll - the photos families share capture special moments of joy and connection. Working alongside Marisa, manager of marketing and communications, we’ve been brainstorming ways to turn those moments into meaningful content and build a stronger sense of community around Leyadoll here in Calgary.
Along with the excitement, there have also been some challenges. As a photographer, most of my experience has been behind the camera. I haven’t had much exposure to social media strategy, community outreach, or event planning. In school, it’s easy to say you understand how these things work but applying them in the real world is a completely different experience.
This is where being trained as a journalist has helped me the most. Journalists learn to adapt quickly. If something doesn’t work, you reassess and try a different approach. That mindset has made this week feel like a series of experiments—testing ideas, refining them and learning along the way.
@leyadoll.com Buddy Ben is one of our many backpacks available 🎒💛 Which one is your favourite?✨ Leave a comment to let us know! #tiktoktoys #doll #giftideasforkids #kidstoys #leyadoll ♬ You Blues You Lose - Jeff Lofton
One of my favorite parts of this practicum so far has been learning the art of pitching. How can we introduce Leyadoll to more people in the community? How can we show on social media what makes this brand special? These are the questions we’ve been working through and finding creative ways to answer them has been both challenging and exciting.
After just one week at Leyadoll, I’ve already gained a deeper appreciation for the company’s core values and the joy it brings to the community. This practicum has pushed me well outside my comfort zone, challenging me in ways I’ve never experienced before—but in the best way. I’m excited to continue learning, experimenting with social media, discovering how my skills can help grow a stronger, more connected Leyadoll community.
We hope you enjoyed reading about her experiences as much as we've enjoyed having her on our team. If you're interested in learning more about our company and the people who work here, Kaylie will be writing more articles like this during her time with us. We look forward to seeing what stories she'll share!
Kindly,
Leyadoll Family
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