Career Leaders

Career Leaders are a team of University of Waterloo undergraduate and graduate students who provide one-on-one supports through same day, 20-minute drop-in sessions. These drop-ins cover multiple topics including résumés, cover letters, interviews, work search and further education. Registration for all drop-ins begins at 8:00 a.m. daily.

Meet Our Career Leaders

Agam

Hi! My name is Agam, and I’m a Further Education Career Leader at CCA. My preferred pronouns are she/her. I graduated from UWaterloo in April 2021 with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology. I’ve been working at the CCA since last September, and love to support students in reaching their career and further education goals. In my spare time, I like to play my flute, read mystery novels, and play with my dog!

Libby

Hi I’m Libby! I am the Career Leader Team Lead at the CCA and I also advise students in Further Education full length appointments. I am excited to help people with their current and future educational goals and I love learning about other people’s passions, unique experiences, and journeys in education. I did my undergraduate degree at the University of Waterloo and am currently completing my Bachelor of Education.

Lyne

Hi, I’m Lyne! I’m graduating with a BSc in Psychology and I love to learn about human behaviour and psychopathology. When I’m not working, I spend most of my free time with my dog Oscar. As a student, I understand and relate to the difficulties of looking for employment and I look forward to using my past experiences and mentorship skills to guide students to help them achieve their goals.

Simrit

Simrit Profile Photo My name is Simrit and I am a Career Leader at the CCA that uses she/her pronouns. I am a recent joint honours Bachelor of Public Health (Co-op) and a BA in Psychology graduate. I have previously worked as a pharmacy assistant, a project lead at a primary healthcare clinic, a teaching assistant for WIL Programs, and as a Foundational Training Program Facilitator. I started working at the CCA because I wanted to offer direct, one-on-one, peer support to students.

Kaitlyn

Hello I'm Kaitlyn (they/them)! I have completed my Bachelor of Arts with a major in Psychology and a minor in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Waterloo. Currently, I'm studying to become a teacher and I love talking with students about how to achieve their goals. I have struggled to find co-ops before, so I am well equipped to help with any career questions or concerns. When I'm not working, I enjoy riding my bike on the many trails Waterloo has to offer - if you have any recommendations let me know!

Ananya

Hi, there! My name is Ananya and I use she/her or they/them pronouns. I am in my final semester of completing a Bachelor of Arts. Academically, my interests vary quite a bit so the Liberal Arts program has allowed me to explore my interests from psychology to sexuality, marriage and family studies, to religious studies, music and so much more. You can say I am interested in learning more about why we are the way we are and how that shapes our interactions with others and the environment around us (which is an incredibly broad theme!). From this derives my interest in having meaningful and impactful one-on-one conversations, which perfectly fits my role as a Career Leader providing Employment Support. Other than school and work, I love animals of all kinds as I have two cats and am in the process of adopting a dog. I love walks and have recently taken up roller skating and audiobooks (anything mystery and unpredictable). I look forward to meeting you and our conversations :)

Fatima

Fatima Suleiman Profile Photo

Fatima, she/her, Career Leader
When I am not busy as a Career Leader or with my school work, I can be found with my nose buried in a book. I am an avid fan of fairy tales and realistic fiction novels with happy endings, and I am really proud to have logged over 1,000 fiction books on my Goodreads page.
These days, If I am not reading in any shape or form, I am most likely watching more stories in the form of Bollywood movies, CDramas, KDramas or Nollywood films. I am a very curious introvert who loves travelling and learning new things. This has led to my experience as an international student in four countries so far, in addition to trying out different career paths along the way. Some of my other favourite things include music (I really can not study without something playing), budgeting, social media (mainly Instagram and Twitter).
I have been at UWaterloo for almost five years now, and one of my favourite places on campus still includes the Centre for Career Action because it houses some of the kindest people I have ever met. The privilege of serving as a Career Leader — getting to support other students with their different careers — remains one of the highlights of my days here at UWaterloo.

Emily

Hello, my name is Emily and I am in employment support at the CCA. I love providing knowledge and support for those preparing resumes, cover letters, and for interviews. I am a 6th year PhD Candidate in Psychology studying how nature and the urban environment impact our health and well-being with a focus on stress, emotions, and attention/focus. Previously I completed my Master’s degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies and an undergraduate degree in Geography and Environmental Studies. Throughout my academic career I have moved to many different departments, learned new fields of study, and stayed true to my need and love for the study of nature. I have studied how we can protect it, incorporate it into our cities, how we use it for recreation, and how it benefits our health and well-being. Because of my passion for being interdisciplinary, I love working for the CCA where I can help other students navigate the difficult path of changing interests and life goals throughout their academic and career path. I have also worked in industry, so I have a unique insight into how to adapt academic skills, making them transferable to industry work. I look forward to working with you!

What do you love about being a Career Leader?

"The Career Leader program has taught me invaluable skills that I use in my professional career and my everyday life. The amazing people I work with are collaborative, supportive, and act as mentors by sharing their knowledge. Being a Career Leader has truly been an enriching experience!" – Celina Deosaran, Past Career Leader

“Working as a Career Leader has been extremely rewarding, especially as a Masters student looking to combine theoretical study with practical experience within the university setting. Through working with students to improve their résumés, cover letters and interview skills, I’ve gained valuable advising experience and have even improved my own self-marketing techniques! I have no doubt that my time spent as a Career Leader will be invaluable to my career post-graduation, and has given me the tools to “leverage” what I have learned in class in a more practical way. I encourage all those who are looking for part-time work and interested in helping other students succeed to consider lending their talents to the Centre for Career Action - you won’t regret it!” – Justine Fifield, Past Career Leader

"Being a Career Leader is a great experience. It provides you with the opportunity to meet and individually help fellow students from the university, as well as become more adaptive and quick-thinking. Due to the fast-paced nature of the drop-in sessions, you learn how to quickly prioritize issues as you aim to give students the best possible advice in a short amount of time. As a result, not only do the students walk away better equipped to take-on co-op and job applications, you also take away valuable skills that can make your own work habits more productive and future job applications more impressive." – K. Yourie Kim, Past Career Leader

“As a Career Leader, I had found my passion for helping students. I loved helping them discover more about their skillset, about things that make them unique, and how we can transcribe that all onto paper for others to see. It’s fulfilling to see them leave with more self-confidence and new approaches that they didn’t consider before. I feel humbled to have been a stop on their road to learning and self-discovery!” – Katie Lien, Past Career Leader

“Through this role, I have solidified my own strengths and career direction by having the chance to practice as a helper. I continue to learn skills at the CCA around time management, listening and navigating how to best assist the students. Additionally, I have learned communication skills by carefully directing students to the various CCA resources available to them. I have found my experience as Career Leader invaluable. I enjoy interacting with students and additionally, my fellow Career Leaders, who are an admirable bunch of scholars in various disciplines and stages of life.” – Sarah Manninen, Current Career Leader

“I really enjoy the one-on-one interaction with students. In particular, I like helping students identify skills and abilities that they weren’t able to see or express before seeking advice, and, while the process of uncovering those skills can be difficult, when a student understands a new framework for expressing their unique set of gifts, I am glad to have been a part of their learning.” –David Thiessen, Past Career Leader

Applications

The Centre for Career Action is currently hiring Career Leaders for the fall 2022 term! We are looking for folks who are passionate about supporting students in navigating employment and further education in post-secondary. In this role, you will provide drop-in support to students navigating these spaces and build skills in mentorship/advising, supporting students through decision-making, providing referrals and much more!

This role pays $19.00 per hour working about 3-10 hours per week depending on the time of the term. Interested or know someone who might be? Take a look at the job description and if you have questions you can contact Anika Williams-Hewitt, Career Leader Supervisor at careers@uwaterloo.ca. Applications are due next Wednesday, July 6th, 2022 at 11:59 p.m.