Archives

headshot of ilham

Ilham Hoque

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBA 2009 University College

Inside the Classroom

  • Major: International Relations
  • Major: English
  • Minor: Political Science

Alongside the Classroom

  • Constituency assistant intern, Ward 8 Councillor’s Office, Toronto City Hall

Outside the Classroom

Further Education

Career Accomplishments

  • Contract work, City of Toronto
  • English tutor, Kumon Learning Centers, 2009

Finding permanent work was difficult, having graduating amid the Great Recession, even with my years of volunteering, student leadership, on-campus and off-campus work, networking, and informational interviewing.

I had gained practicum experience in this sector through my studies at Seneca College’s SSW program.

  • Education sector:
    • Field placement coordinator, Social Service Worker Program, Humber College
    • Senior academic advisor (counselling, academic policy advising)
  • Published author (children’s picture book): Wonder Walk (Iguana Books, 2019)

Do not be afraid to go on international student exchange if you can. You not only get some wonderful life experiences and can grow, but what amazing memories and a cool story to have for the rest of your life! I do wish I had taken advantage of the international student exchange opportunities; it may have even helped me in getting that first job out of graduation too.

And another thing: get to know your Career Centre well. They hold a vast number of events to help current students figure out how your degree can be applied to that first job out of graduation and throughout your career.

Theresa Pinter

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBA 2015 Woodsworth College
Inside the Classroom

Switched programs from: E-Commerce, Physics

Outside the Classroom

  • Kitchen/server/buyer, Hot Yam! — students getting together once a week to make a vegetarian meal and selling it to students for cheap (now closed)
  • Garden Club
  • Urban beekeepers, U of T Bees
  • Weightlifting
Further Education

Career Accomplishments

  • Online Asset Manager, TRP Consulting
  • Accounting Assistant, Heavy Consulting
  • Communications Officer/Author, GoGeomatics
  • Project Manger/Spacial Analyst, Williams Treaties First Nations
  • Research Coordinator, St. Michael’s Hospital
In the Media

Charles Freedman

Charles Freedman

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • BCom 1963 University College
Inside the Classroom

Outside the Classroom

Further Education

  • PhD, MIT
  • MA, Oxford University
  • HBA, Oxford University
Career Description

  • Faculty member, Economics Department, University of Minnesota, 1969-74
  • Deputy Governor, Bank of Canada, 1974-2003
  • Consultant to central banks, primarily via the I.M.F., 2003-14
“Take your studies seriously but also get involved in interesting extracurricular activities.”

 

David Silva

David Silva

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBA 2008 University College
Inside the Classroom

Switched programs from:

Alongside the Classroom

Further Education

Career Description

  • Experience as a policy professional spanning nearly seven years with the
    Ontario Public Service.
  • Has served in progressively more responsible and senior roles including as a team leader directing multiple teams of policy staff, providing executive support to two Deputy Ministers and most recently as the executive assistant to the Assistant Deputy Minister for Road User Safety.
“- Participate in extra-curriculars: As a commuting student, only attending campus for class did not allow me to truly connect with the campus or classmates. Re-engaging with U of T through alumni events has been both interesting and fun.
– Take advantage of U of T’s Career Centre (early): Looking at my next step into the workforce was a passing thought at the best of times. Pay more attention to what field you want to get into and speak to the career counsellors who can tell you what skills and relationships you need to build while still a student.
– Every minute matters: This applies to everything from procrastinating on assignments to dismissively thinking that decisions made on 1st and 2nd year courses would have no bearing. Plan, schedule and act carefully. This is an approach that will help as you enter the workforce but it will also ensure that you don’t waste a good chunk of your year with sub-par grades or a course that will serve no value to you as you move through your program of study.”

 

Kathy Cocchio

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • BA 1980 University College
Inside the Classroom

Further Education

  • B.Ed. University of Western Ontario (1981)
  • M.Ed. University of Alberta (2010)
Career Description

  • Taught in higher education for 14 years.
  • Supported teacher induction in higher education for 10 years.
  • Currently coordinate a graduate studies program.
“Relax. Take advantage of the activities on campus. Try to focus on the learning experience, not on grades. Get to know your professors–they truly want you to succeed.”

 

Nicholas Bakewell

Nicholas Bakewell

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBSc 2017 University College
Inside the Classroom

Outside the Classroom

Further Education

  • Columbia University, Graduate Studies, 2014
  • MacEwan University/University of Alberta, Bachelor of Commerce, 2014
Career Description

  • Data Analyst/Statistician at the World Council on City Data.
“Breathe… and realise that finishing your education is not a race, it is should be thought of as a lifelong journey. Every person learns differently and at a different pace, take your time.”

 

Laura Dickson

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • BSc 1995 University College
Inside the Classroom

Outside the Classroom

  • Amnesty International – UC letter writing group
Further Education

Career Description

“Don’t be afraid to switch academic tracks. Completion of an undergraduate degree is not a race, it’s an exploration. Learning how to learn and have a flexible and critical mindset are the most valuable outcomes. Don’t worry about competing with others, challenge yourself to new heights of learning and expansion you are your main project. Enjoy it.”

 

John Debono Portrait

John Debono

FacetDescription
Graduation YearHBA 2014
Inside the Classroom

Outside the Classroom

Further Education

Career Accomplishments

Allow yourself to make the most of the University experience and always make sure you can be proud of the work you are producing.

 

Samantha Portrait

Samantha Freeman-Attwood

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBA 2004 Innis College
Inside the Classroom

Further Education

Career Accomplishments

“Get involved beyond the classroom, what you do outside the classroom is equally as important as what you do inside the classroom. Becoming engaged in the wider U of T community will allow you to build important skills, meet incredible people and most importantly get to know yourself, which is how you will discover what you are good at and where your passion lies.

There are SO many opportunities to get involved, whether it is through summer abroad, international exchange, volunteering, clubs (there are over 900 + clubs!!!), there is something for everyone to take part it.

Get to know your resources, there are no shortage of opportunities to get help and build your skills. Get to know the places you can turn to for help, for support and encouragement.

See the people in your classroom as allies, not your competition. You are all in this together, you can help each other and lift each other up. You are probably going through many of the same struggles as your peers, so don’t be shy about reaching out to them.

This is the best time for you to take part in all the wonderful things on offer, get to know all that awaits you….then you can be selective about what you partake in; and there is something for everyone in this amazing place!”

Karen Wu

FacetDescription
Graduation YearHBSc 2005
Inside the Classroom

Further Education

Career Accomplishments