Contacts

Hi, folks! My name is Becky and my pronouns are she and her. 

I’ve been in the realm of higher education for a bunch of time now, both as a graduate student and as a staff member. It’s been through my experiences as a graduate student in the humanities that have really helped me identify the kind of work I value doing, and that’s supporting students! 

I studied Literary Studies and French Studies at the University of Waterloo during my undergrad. Not knowing what the heck I wanted to do with my life after, I pursued a Master of Arts in Literary Studies and a Graduate Diploma in Cognitive Science from Waterloo. Still not knowing what the heck I wanted to do with my life after, I began my PhD in the English Department. I quickly realized a career in academia was not my jam, so I sought opportunities to explore how else I could advocate for students on campus. I got involved in student government; I volunteered in a peer support program; and I worked in academic support units in roles that supported both the undergraduate and graduate communities on campus. 

With CCD, I help current students and alumni navigate their path to further education for literally any college, graduate, or professional school program in the world. Sometimes this means we chat about: admissions barriers; figuring out the application process; how an admissions committee might interpret transcript notations; applying for scholarships and finding funding; picking safe supervisors; the writing components of the application; if/how to disclose something about lived experiences in the application; practicing for a graduate or professional school interview. And so many other topics!! I also collaborate with student groups, as well as campus partners to facilitate workshops on further education topics. So if you’re an individual and connecting one-on-one in an appointment matches how you would like to be supported in your path to further education, or if you represent a student group or campus partner and working together to design a workshop matches how you would like to support others in their paths to further education, (or maybe you’re both!), let’s chat! 

Some things about me as a human include: I LOVE baking. I’m chronically ill and have multiple food allergies, so I often amend recipes to meet my needs. The results are occasionally disastrous but usually delicious!; I like to go to the beach with my dog, Benson. He does much less swimming and much more trying to eat the waves.; and I’m currently writing my dissertation so I can finish my PhD.  

Hi there! My name is Anupama and my pronouns are she/her. I'm a career advisor on the Undergraduate team at Centre for Career Development. In my role here, I offer résumé, cover letter, work search, mock interview and career planning appointments. 

My role also includes the Accessibility portfolio, so I am always happy to chat about career supports that can help students with disabilities. Also, if you're facing any barriers in your career journey, feel free to reach out for a chat!

In terms of my career, I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Anthropology from the University of Toronto. As well, I've studied Project Management and Environmental Studies. 

I've also learned about Equity, Diversity and Inclusion through a community lens and engaged in lots of community projects over the years. I've had a range of work experiences, and I'm open to chatting about social science research, urban planning and psychology.

Hi! I’m Sarah (she/her) and I’m a Career Advisor on the undergraduate team. I support students with work searches, resumes, cover letters, interview prep, co-op and other employment related topics.

After completing my MFA at Concordia University, I started teaching art/design technology in Cairo while volunteering for community organizations. After 5 years, I came back to KW wanting to help newcomers access community resources, find meaningful employment and form community connections. I started working in the non-profit sector supporting youth and newcomers with employment and settlement through one-on-one supports, workshops, programming, and special projects.

Now at CCD, I’m happy to be able to connect with students about employment and all the other “stuff” that comes along with the job search. I love hearing about non-linear career paths and your journey that has brought you to where you are now.

Talk to me about slow living, baking, travel, swimming, sloths, goats, music, walking, felting, and creative projects you’re working on.

Mary Lynne has worked at the University of Waterloo since 2008 in a variety of positions ranging from supervisor to e-learning and user experience associate to student engagement coordinator to her current position as the Communications Specialist. She has a passion for providing student engagement, sense of belonging and community experiences to students at the University of Waterloo. Mary Lynne developed the Library Ambassador program in 2016, and since has had a keen interest in skill development, the future of work, and non-linear career paths. All of her past work experiences and thesis work lead her to the Centre of Career Action.

Mary Lynne holds a BA and MA from the University of Waterloo in Recreation and Leisure Studies, as well as a Postgraduate diploma from Niagara College in Hospitality and Tourism Management Systems.

Mary Lynne is passionate about how people experience community, sense of self, belonging and liminality at music festivals. She is always willing to sit down and have a chat about any of these areas or the impact of recreation and leisure on work. She also enjoys music festivals and concerts, the colour pink, photography, creating graphics for social media, DIY projects, and pets.

I’m a Career Advisor and support graduate students and postdocs in clarifying and reaching their career development and employment goals. As a Registered Psychotherapist, I have a strong interest in the intersections of mental health and career development. I didn’t always work in this field—my career started out in language and cultural studies and teaching ESL to adults in Canada and abroad. I’ve also had jobs in bilingual customer service, sales, and marketing. Trying out different things allowed me to explore my career identity and what best suited my values and interests before I eventually discovered a Master’s program that suited me and helped me pivot to the field of career counselling. 

When I’m not working, I keep busy doing fun and creative things with my child.  I also sing in a choir, spend time in nature and grow a vegetable garden. I am one of the CCD Green Office Ambassadors and in this role I support our department’s sustainability efforts. I look forward to meeting with you and supporting you in your exploration of your career identity.

Currently, on leave.

I was born and raised in Mexico. I came to Canada when I was 15 and completed high school in Calgary. While I studied for my undergraduate degree at Waterloo, I worked different part-time jobs until I started working with adults with developmental disabilities. Once I graduated, I worked there full-time and eventually transitioned to working with persons with mental health concerns. After a while, I studied Human Resources Management and learned a lot through my experience in recruiting. One of the things that I learned the most was that I preferred helping people through the employment process instead of being the one doing the hiring. That is when I found the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre where I was fortunate enough to support newcomers to Canada through the employment process. I worked there for about 3 years before returning to campus.

I have been working at the Centre for Career Development since 2017 and I love being able to have moments of connection with the students that I come in contact with. They are inspirational, bright, and keep me excited to work every day. I aim to provide service from an anti-oppression lens to be as inclusive as possible and see each student for the whole human that they are so we can meet where they are and work through next steps together.

As an immigrant to Canada and as a brown woman, I have seen the consistent systemic barriers that exist in the employment field both in my own life and with friends, family, and those whom I have supported throughout the years. I know the toll this takes day-in and day-out. I am extremely passionate in sharing my story and working with others to navigate barriers that they might in their lives. I am also always happy to talk about my non-linear career path, politics, 90 Day Fiancé, early 2000s metal, and Shakira’s early work (pre-English!). I truly enjoy watching football, spending time with family, dancing poorly, finding joy in mundane situations, Batman, Sunday morning breakfasts, English bulldogs, weird cars, and being in the sun.

Education:

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Social Development Studies Minor, University of Waterloo
• Post-graduate diploma in Human Resources Management, Conestoga College
• Master of Education, Wilfrid Laurier University

My name is Kristen Eppel (she/her), and I’m one of the managers at the Centre for Career Development.

My journey into this field started with an interest in education. After completing a degree in Biology, I had originally planned to become a teacher, but during my teacher education program, I eventually realized that classroom teaching wasn’t a good path for me. I started working with a career counsellor and ended up falling in love with the field of career development. Since then, I’ve worked in several university career centres, including Queen’s University and the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University. Most of my work has involved supporting students as they search for jobs, plan their careers, and participate in work-integrated learning programs.

In my work at the CCD, my main goals are to support others in their work and to design our processes and programming in a way that enables student agency and inclusivity. I am actively working to bring an anti-oppressive and trauma-informed approach to my practice.

In my spare time, you can often find me outside. I love to camp, hike, mountain bike, and just sit outside and enjoy nature. I also enjoy creating song playlists, watching home renovation shows, and learning about the latest research in biology and psychology.

My name is Molly (she/her) and I’m a Career Advisor on the undergraduate team! I was a Waterloo co-op student and know firsthand how amazing, and also sometimes difficult, co-op can be. After graduating, I worked on campus in many student facing roles and am excited to now be supporting our co-op students as a Career Advisor. I truly believe co-op is an incredible program and I’m passionate about supporting our students on their journey. I’m also passionate about crafting, baking, and watching just about anything on Netflix. On a typical weekend you can usually find me at the market or spending time with family!

Tanya consults with University of Waterloo alumni, undergraduates, employee advising, providing expertise in defining challenges and opportunities, and recommending a plan of action. She offers individual advising in career exploration (including utilizing the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and Strong Interest Inventory) and job search. She also facilitates a variety of career development workshops to deliver additional guidance and support in decision-making and goal setting.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from University of Waterloo, and a Career and Work Counsellor Program Diploma (George Brown College).

Hello! I’m Vanya (she/her) and I am an Undergraduate Career Advisor at CCD. I am also an International PhD Candidate at the Department of English Language and Literature researching the ethics of alternative meat options.

Previously, I completed my Integrated Masters in English Studies with a minor in Sociology at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. During my graduate studies, I participated in an exchange program to Aarhus, Denmark and I got to travel and study in Europe for a year. It was an amazing experience and it strengthened my personal and professional life incredibly!

After I graduated, I worked at a startup in Chennai, India as a content writer and marketing manager for a year. I then began my PhD at the University of Waterloo. I joined CCD as a Career Advisor after a couple of years of working as a Career Leader. Working with students continues to inspire and humble me every day and I cannot ask for anything better than this!

In my spare time, I love to swim. Don’t be surprised if you catch me running away from my responsibilities and hiding in the pool at PAC! I also love cooking, binge-watching anime and reading classic literature.

I’ve been at UW since 2011, when I started as an undergraduate student in the Biomedical Sciences program. After graduating with my BSc, I stayed at the University of Waterloo, taking on a full-time role in Campus Housing (where I had worked as a student-staff member throughout undergrad). I eventually transitioned over to Co-operative Education, where I was able to take on a few different roles (both employer & student-facing) before joining CCD.

I utilized CCD services as a student and young professional, so I know first-hand the kind of positive impact this team can make, and I’m excited to be able to draw on my own experiences to continue that good work.

One of my favourite hobbies is backcountry camping with our dog, Abby, where our reward for not tipping the canoe (Abby is a bit anxious) is a few days enjoying Ontario’s incredible parks. Other than that, I’m most likely to want to talk sports, tech, and where the best pizza can be found (the answer is Windsor).

Kait holds a Master of Education in Counselling Psychology from the University of Toronto, a Master of Arts in Leadership Studies from Royal Roads University and a Bachelor of Arts in Youth Development Studies from North Central University.

Hi all! My name is Jessica, but I prefer the name Jess. I use she/her pronouns. I am the Associate Director of undergrad services in the Centre for Career Development. My role focuses on supporting undergraduate students. I hold a BA in Communication Studies/English from Wilfrid Laurier University and a MEd, with a specialization in Post-Secondary Studies, from Memorial University.

I’ve worked at UW for over a decade, having previously spent time in Campus Housing and WIL Programs before landing in CCD. I am passionate about transformative learning, supporting students and experiential education. I LOVE to learn about peoples’ career journeys and am fascinated by all the jobs you don’t hear about while growing up!

When I’m not at work, I’m kept busy by my four children (two human, two furry). I drink way too much coffee, love to travel and am a voracious reader of fiction.

My name is Phil Miletic (he/him) and I am a career advisor for graduate students and postdocs. I’m an indoors-y individual: I snuggle with my doggo & child, read fiction, poetry, and comics, watch science fiction films/TV, play RPGs & horror games, and love listening to sad music (even on sunny days). I also love the kind of personal storytelling everyone does in their day-to-day life, whether it be on various social media platforms, autobiographical stories in books & games, or, in career documents and networking conversations. It’s a big reason why I did my PhD in English at UW, specializing in Digital Life Writing. During the PhD, I cultivated an interest in my career as an advisor because of my love of teaching students and supporting them in their educational and, at times, career journey through student-centred approaches and a whole lot of care.

As a Career Advisor for Graduate Students and Postdocs, I will support you through opaque systems, complex processes, and barriers to pursue and achieve your career goals. I will do so with care, generosity, and kindness, centering you and your needs in our conversations.

Erica is one of the Undergraduate Career Services managers. Prior to this role, she was a undergraduate career advisor with a special focus on career planning.

Erica holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts and Business (Psychology) from the University of Waterloo as well as a Master of Science and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Social-Personality Psychology from Queen’s University.

Hi! My name is Anika Williams-Hewitt, my pronouns are she/her and I am a Career Advisor on the Undergraduate and co-op Team! 

I’ve had a fairly non-linear career path! I studied Early Childhood Studies at Ryerson University in undergrad and completed my Master of Social Work degree at Wilfrid Laurier University. This journey has taken me to work at non-profit organizations, post-secondary institutions (e.g. students’ union), hospitals, government, school boards, early learning centres, and much more!  My interests have been varied throughout my career path, from wanting to be a journalist, then a speech and language pathologist, then an occupational therapist, then a children's therapist, and now an advisor. Now it's my value for equity that is the through line across my jobs, not necessarily a title.  

I am incredibly passionate about bringing an equity lens to navigating the job search/co-op process. I hope to support students in recognizing the skills they have within and figuring out how to reach their goals. I am seeking to provide a safe(er) space for students to feel heard, supported and cared for. I know navigating school can be difficult! My hope is to support you in navigating these systems and to engage in advocacy to ensure your voice is heard! 

Talk to me about: poetry, equity, film/tv, writing, plants and puzzles, mental health and wellness, food, travel, student advocacy/organizing and poorly attempting TikTok trends!