Archives

Darren Abramson

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBA 1998 Innis College
Inside the Classroom

Outside the Classroom

Further Education

Career Accomplishments

In the Media

“I would tell myself that it’s OK not to have everything figured out, and that study/research skills, personal development, and cultivation of hard work and curiosity are all more important than the details of my program and course choices. Also, I would have told my younger self that success at any endeavour is just the tip of a large iceberg, the remainder of which almost no one will ever see.

 

Isabella Fink

Isabella Fink

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • BA 2017 Woodsworth College
Inside the Classroom

Switched programs from: Cinema Studies

Outside the Classroom

Career Accomplishments

  • Outdoor Wilderness Education
  • Freelance Film Production
  • Copywriting
  • Film workshop curriculum design and teaching for middle school

“Get involved in extracurriculars to help build community and connection in areas you are interested in, either career related or just personal interest!”

Afriyie Donyina

Afriyie Donyina

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBA 2004 New College
Inside the Classroom

Outside the Classroom

Further Education

Career Accomplishments

  • Education professional with teaching experience at various private schools
  • Member of TESL Ontario and TESL Canada
  • Knowledgeable in educational technology, curriculum development, instructional design, multimedia, and leadership

“Participate in internships and co-op programs during university. It is important to explore different career options before you graduate.”

Kelly Burton

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBA 2004 Woodsworth College
Inside the Classroom

Further Education

Career Accomplishments

In the Media

“Let your courses and professors spark your inspiration. One of my favourite classes was “Sociology of Aids” – which introduced me to Malcolm Gladwell and the concept of tipping point, which inspired me to explore that concept against the backdrop of consumer products (and marketing) and climate change. School is the match, you make the fire.”

Eric Daro

Eric Daro

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBA 2005 Woodsworth College
Inside the Classroom

Switched programs from: International Relations

Outside the Classroom

  • Fraternity member
  • Student caller, U of T alumni office
Further Education

Career Accomplishments

  • Valet, retail salesperson, and door-to-door fundraiser (3 years)
  • Office Coordinator, IT division, financial firm
  • Manager, Student calling program, University of Saskatchewan
  • Director, Annual Fund, University of Alberta (3 years)
  • Director, Individual Giving, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia

“Look beyond your immediate surroundings and leverage your strengths to get opportunities you otherwise would not. I was comfortable moving around and made strategic moves to other provinces and even countries to position my experience in a way that opened up opportunities I would not have had otherwise. Never get too comfortable, especially in today’s economy, and always have a plan for your next step. At least have a vision of where you want to end up in terms of position, industries, etc.

Try to (and I know it is hard when you start out) think of areas and types of work that makes you the most “happy” as you don’t want to spend years building a career in a field you don’t find rewarding. When you do find the job or field you want to work in try everything to get a foot in the door, even it it takes volunteering or interning for a while.

 

Alyssa James

Alyssa James

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBSc 2011 Woodsworth College
Inside the Classroom

Alongside the Classroom

  • Summer abroad in France
  • Multiple research assistant positions (2007-2011)
Outside the Classroom

Further Education

  • PhD, Social Anthropology, Columbia University, 2024 (expected)
  • MA, Social Anthropology, York University, 2017
Career Accomplishments

  • English Teaching Assistant in Martinique from 2011-2013.
  • Moved to London, UK in 2013 and worked as a content writer for clients such as Jamie’s Italian, Legoland, House of Fraser, Barbour, momondo, and Aon Private Clients.
  • In 2014, began freelance writing full-time. Travel writing and reporting has been published in the Globe and Mail, The Local, MSN, Bustle, Porthole Cruise Magazine, International Living Magazine, and more.
In the Media

“Do what excites you, not what you think you’re supposed to do. When you follow your passion you’ll always end up exactly where you’re supposed to be when you’re meant to be there – even if the journey doesn’t look the way you think it should.

 

Bänoo Zan

Bänoo Zan

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • Certificate 2012 Woodsworth College
Inside the Classroom

  • TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
Career Accomplishments

  • Contract faculty at Centennial College Department of English and ESL since September 2014
  • Poet, translator, teacher, editor and poetry curator, with more than 160 published poems and poetry-related pieces as well as three books.
  • First poetry collection shortlisted for Gerald Lampert Memorial Award by the League of Canadian Poets in 2017
  • Founder of Shab-e She’r (Poetry Night), Toronto’s most diverse poetry reading and open mic series (inception: 2012).  It is a brave space that bridges the gap between communities of poets from different ethnicities, nationalities, religions (or lack thereof), ages, genders, sexual orientations, disabilities, poetic styles, voices and visions.

 

 

Krisma Saini-Chahal

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBA 2014 Woodsworth College
Inside the Classroom

Switched programs from: Criminology

Alongside the Classroom

  • Intern, Student-Teacher
Outside the Classroom

  • Tutor
Further Education

Career Accomplishments

  • Teacher, Upper Grand District School Board
  • Research and development assistant, U of T (during MA)—gained a research background conducting and analyzing studies related to counterfactual reasoning in children

“Volunteer and gain experiences outside of the classroom! Do fieldwork, experiential learning or an internship – it will help you figure out what you like and what direction you should take your undergraduate degree.”

 

Michael White

Michael White

I am also known by the name Mahkwa of the Anishinaabe Bear Clan (nindoodem).

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBA 2005 University College
Inside the Classroom

Alongside the Classroom

Outside the Classroom

Further Education

Career Description

In the Media

Michelle Poon

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBSc 2005 New College
Inside the Classroom

Switched programs from Biology and Geography

Further Education

  • Credits completed in Human Resource Management
Career Accomplishments

  • Associate Director, Asia-Pacific Advancement Office, University of Toronto: Focus on alumni relations and development for the University, including engaging with our alumni in the Asia-Pacific region, fundraising, managing volunteers and boards and running a Foundation
  • Admissions Assessor, Enrolment Services, University of Toronto
New College Impact

My residence experience allowed me to develop friendships and networks. I was new to Toronto (having lived most of my life in Hong Kong) and New College Residence gave me a sense of community. I got a chance to volunteer for various positions/roles. I’m indebted by the services and resources provided by New College, including the writing lab, the registrar’s office, residence dons, etc.

“Enjoy and immerse yourself in the U of T and Toronto experience.

Know that you don’t have to have the answers for everything, and be open minded to new ideas and new opportunities.

Listen and trust your instincts.

Make mistakes – it’s how i learnt.”