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.

Ted Kalaboukis

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBA 1987 Innis College

Inside the Classroom

Outside the Classroom

Further Education

Career Accomplishments

In the Media

“Take risks when young to explore career options.

Emily Tsui

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBA 2016 Trinity College
Inside the Classroom

Switched programs from:

Alongside the Classroom

Outside the Classroom

Further Education

Career Accomplishments

In the Media

“Take advantage of all the international opportunities the university has to offer, and make sure to speak with the professors to give you advice.

Kristine Sarah Medrero

Kristine Sarah Medrero

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBA 2017 Woodsworth College
Inside the Classroom

Outside the Classroom

Further Education

Career Accomplishments

“Get involved as early as possible, especially if you’re coming from a different country like me (I grew up and graduated from high school in Hong Kong). Your undergrad degree will become more fulfilling, rewarding, and enjoyable the moment you get involved. Because of all these activities, you will meet so many people that you never thought you’d meet in a million years and you will gain lifelong friends, and connections along the way. However, don’t overwhelm yourself with too many activities. Your academics are ALWAYS your first priority. Learn to prioritise your work better, and always make sure you form personal relationships with your professors and peers. You never know when they’ll come in handy – especially if you plan on pursuing further education. Most importantly, have fun! You only have one undergraduate degree, and you’re pursuing it at one of the top institutions IN THE WORLD, so make sure you make the most out of your four (or more) years here!”

Aaron Raths

Aaron Raths

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBA 2006 Woodsworth College
Inside the Classroom

Outside the Classroom

Further Education

  • Osgoode Hall Law School, JD, 2009
Career Accomplishments

  • 6 years in legal practice as a civil litigator
  • Policy analyst in the education sector
  • Investigator with the Office of the Independent Police Review Director
  • Senior policy advisor with a central ministry at Queen’s Park

“- widen your social circle; meet more people
– stay more disciplined (less cramming and last-minute writing)
– worry less, particularly about course selection; enjoy the experience
– take every opportunity to have meaningful engagements with faculty

 

Arash Azizi

Arash Azizi

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • BA 2013 Woodsworth College
Inside the Classroom

Switched programs from: International Relations

Outside the Classroom

Further Education

Career Accomplishments

  • Documentary producer
  • English-Farsi book translator
  • Journalist, BBC and other journalistic agencies
  • Media writer and editor
In the Media

“Learn languages. Try to figure out what you truly want to do and focus on that.”

Vanessa Bart-Plange

Vanessa Bart-Plange

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBA 2017 New College
Inside the Classroom

Alongside the Classroom

Outside the Classroom

Further Education

Career Accomplishments

New College Impact

The minor in African Studies offered at New College complemented my International Relations and Political Science majors perfectly, thus allowing me to have the African focus that was absent in both of my majors. In retrospect, this has contributed to my interest in public policy and education in Africa during my master’s program.

The New College Writing Centre was also key in my academic development, as it helped me learn how to write academic essays, which led to A-grade averages throughout the four years.

Being a part of this multicultural college also allowed me to fit in and make friends from both home and other countries, thus allowing me to settle in better and faster in Toronto within my first year, and to create long-lasting relationships till today.

“Strive to be among the best, if not the best, in everything that you do. Do not compete with any other person but yourself. And while you are at it, make sure to enjoy yourself and your relationships, because time flies by.

 

Jessica Horwitz

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBA 2007 University College
Inside the Classroom

Outside the Classroom

  • UC Lit Committees
  • Toronto Globalist Magazine
Further Education

  • Queen’s University, J.D. of Law, 2012
Career Description

  • Jessica B. Horwitz is an international trade, customs and regulatory lawyer at Bennett Jones LLP. She advises Canadian and international clients on a broad range of trade and investment matters, including import/export compliance, customs audits, trade remedies, bilateral and regional free trade agreements, WTO law, anti-corruption compliance, controlled goods and technology, economic sanctions, product regulation, corporate social responsibility and other cross-border issues. Jessica represents clients in trade verifications by the Canada Border Services Agency, proceedings before the Canadian International Trade Tribunal and the Federal Court of Appeal and regulatory investigations by the RCMP, CBSA and Global Affairs Canada. Before becoming a lawyer, Jessica worked in international policy analysis at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington D.C. think-tank where she covered trade and economic issues in the Americas. She has previously completed internships in the United States and Chile and studied abroad in Singapore.
“Professional and academic references are essential for job and post-graduate academic applications. During undergrad make sure you find a way to demonstrate your abilities to professors and employers/supervisors so that they know you (and remember you!), feel comfortable recommending you and are able to substantively comment on your characteristics to a future prospective employer.”

Philip Howard

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBA 1993 Innis College
Inside the Classroom

Switched programs from:

Outside the Classroom

Further Education

Career Accomplishments

In the Media

“Innis is a community you can easily live in, and one that will give you life-long relationships. So don’t just treat it like a residence or administrative unit, enjoy the community.”

Matt Boulos

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • 2005 Innis College
Inside the Classroom

Further Education

Career Accomplishments

In the Media

“Do the difficult things. We live in a world awash with challenges and opportunities, and unless we rise to them, they will go unmet.”