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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.

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Tapfuma Musewe

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • BSc 2006 Innis College

Inside the Classroom

  • Major: Biology
  • Major: Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations
  • Minor: African Studies

Alognside the Classroom

  • NSERC Scholarship for summer research internship, Professor Emerita Patricia Romans lab (malaria research), Department of Zoology

Outside the Classroom

Further Education

Career Accomplishments

  • Community development with youth and refugees, South Africa, 2006-10
  • Social entrepreneurship, logistics company, South Africa, 2010-14
  • Business development, Pargo (e-commerce/logistics start-up), South Africa, 2015
  • Senior operations manager, In On Africa (market intelligence company, consulting multinational companies seeking to break into African markets), 2016-17
  • Founder, Eschaton Solutions and Afrifursa (highlighting and facilitating trade/investment with African markets), Canada, 2017
  • Managing director, Raygan Mills (private equity investing in African growth companies), Canada, 2021-present
In the Media

Focus on building a network with your future aspirations in mind and be diligent about maintaining it.

Hume Martin

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • BA 1968 Innis College

Outside the Classroom

  • Hockey
  • Literary club

Further Education

Career Accomplishments

In the Media

“Be more self-disciplined as an undergrad.”

Caitilín O’Hare

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBA 2008 St. Michael’s College

Inside the Classroom

Outside the Classroom

Further Education

Career Accomplishments

In the Media

“U of T is the perfect place to pursue any interest that your heart desires. Work hard, think outside of the box, and keep your options open – you never know what opportunities will come along!”

Andrea L. K. Johnston

First Nations affiliation: Chippewas of Nawash

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • BA 2002 Innis College

Inside the Classroom

Outside the Classroom

  • Worked full-time at an Indigneous Firm conducting policy research and program evaluation while studying at the University of Toronto part-time

Career Accomplishments

In the Media

“Get involved as early as possible in the world of work and feed into your CV.“

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Nic Weststrate

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBSc 2007 UTM

Inside the Classroom

Outside the Classroom

Further Education

Career Accomplishments

In the Media

“Every day, try to talk to someone who is very different from you. Ask open questions and listen to understand, not just to hear. You will learn much more from people’s stories than any textbook. (But also read your textbook… before class).”

Matthew Celestial

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBA 2016 Woodsworth College
Inside the Classroom

Switched programs from:

Alongside the Classroom

Outside the Classroom

Career Accomplishments

  • Launched a public strategy and communications firm, Statement Strategies, working with Paramount Pictures Canada, Toonbox Entertainment, Pixar Animation Studios, Universal Studios Canada, the Toronto Animation Arts Festival International, Ado Ato Pictures, and more.
  • Outside of public relations, he is a community organizer serving on the Board of Directors committee for Queer Ontario where he advocates for LGBTQ folks across all levels of government, launching non-profit initiative Diverse Francaise for newcomers to Canada interested in learning French (July 2019) and launching Health is a Right! Foundation supporting low-income communities in third world countries with access to healthcare (September 2019).
  • Previously, he was the Director of Operations for LGBT in Capital Markets, the Director of Operations for Inclusive Love, and sat on the Durham Environmental Advisory Committee.
  • Currently working towards a legal career to complete a JD and is as well interested in academic research on hermeneutics, media strategies that shape policy, and legal interpretation.
In the Media

“1) Be present and enjoy the moment.
2) Be self-compassionate – you are doing good wherever you are.
3) Never say never. Everything comes together in full circle at some point.
4) Be kind to every single person (even the person who stole your seat on the TTC). Say thank you. Hold the door.
5) Don’t stop — even if you have multiple doors closed on you and people berating you. Keep going.“

Hannah Fleisher

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBA 2011 Innis College
Inside the Classroom

Outside the Classroom

Further Education

Career Accomplishments

  • Worked as a consultant and project manager in community development, affordable housing, and community healthcare for both public sector and non profits
In the Media

Samuel Powers

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBA 2013 Woodsworth College
Inside the Classroom

Career Accomplishments

  • California Organizing Manager, Need to Impeach
  • Campaign Manager for a United States House of Representatives Congressional Campaign
  • Campaign Manager for a Brooklyn District Attorney Campaign
  • Florida Deputy Organizing Director for Hillary Clinton’s Presidential Campaign
  • Campaign Manager for a Member of Parliament Campaign
  • Regional Field Director for Florida Gubernatorial Race
  • Staffer at the White House Office of Public Engagement
  • Organizer for President Obama’s Re-Election Campaign

” Diversify your extra curricular activities and job opportunities. Use university to develop a strong understanding of what you want to do in your professional life. “

Pamela Uppal

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBA 2012 Woodsworth College
Inside the Classroom

Switched programs from: History, Spanish

Outside the Classroom

Further Education

Career Accomplishments

  • Over the past 10 years, Pamela has been connecting theory with practice, engaging on three fronts: research initiatives, front-line work, and policy dialogues. She led a nonprofit organization at UofT, was a frontline worker in family services, built diversity, equity and inclusion capacity in Peel region, and undertook multiple research projects exploring gender issues in the South Asian community. Currently, she is leading a project at The Ontario Nonprofit Network exploring women’s employment experiences in the nonprofit sector. Pamela is also a group facilitator and a board member of Laadliyan.

“Network more with professors and be involved in a variety of extra-curriculars.“