Would you like to talk to someone about your career journey?
Career leaders are a team of University of Waterloo undergraduate and graduate students who provide one-on-one supports to our community. They do this in two ways - the first group offers same day, 20-minute drop-in sessions. These drop-ins cover multiple topics including résumés, cover letters, interviews, work search skills and further education. Registration for all drop-ins begins at 8 a.m. daily.
Our second set of career leaders provide support by facilitating workshops on things like résumés, cover letters, LinkedIn, your rights in the workplace and more.
Meet our career leaders
Career leader team lead
Simrit
Hi! My name is Simrit (she/her), and I am a Career leader team lead at the CCD. I have completed a joint Honours Bachelor of Public Health and Psychology at the University of Waterloo and am currently pursuing my Master of Public Health. I completed the co-op stream during my undergraduate studies, so I am familiar with students' concerns and struggles with co-op. I appreciate the ability to engage with students one-on-one to offer assistance which I have found incredibly valuable in the past and enjoy guiding students in determining their next steps.
Career leader (Appointments and drop-ins)
Hello! My name is Shreya and I am in my fourth year of Environment, Resources, and Sustainability (ERS). I am a Career Leader at the CCD. Other places you might see me on campus are doing campus tours as a Student Ambassador, boothing at the library as a Library Ambassador or at SLC managing the Thrift Store! I truly want your experience at the CCD to be the best and for you to walk away feeling supported! We'll get along if you love shopping, travelling and being outdoors.
Hi! I am Shweta (she/her), an employment support Career Leader at CCD. I am a graduate student in the department of Electrical and computer engineering. I did my bachelors in engineering in India and worked in the power and electric industry for 3 years. I became a Career leader to give back to the university community and contribute positively to the academic experience of my peers. I enjoy spending time in nature, playing badminton, binge watching thrillers and exploring new places to eat!
Hi! My name is Mary (she/her) and I am a Further Education Support Career Leader. I am currently wrapping up my undergraduate degree, double majoring in Environment, Resources, and Sustainability (ERS) Co-op and Biology. As such, I am very familiar with the struggles of being a co-op student. Furthermore, I hold various part-time mentorship positions on campus and have worked various part-time jobs off campus. Thus, I enjoy using the knowledge I have acquired to help other students, especially in the area of resume and cover letter writing. In my free time, you can find me watching some of my favorite shows like Seinfeld. Languages: English, Catalan, Spanish, and Punjabi
Hello! I'm Malaak Aldirieh (she/her), serving as a CCD Further Education Career Leader while pursuing my studies in Life Sciences at UW. My journey in science and pursuit of graduate studies inspired me to join CCD, where I aim to assist fellow students in navigating their paths and accessing resources to maximize opportunities and potential passions. In my free time, I love to read, cook, and discuss my favorite books, especially ones that left me in both happy and sad tears!
Hi, my name is Bhavya (She/Her), and I am a career leader! I completed my undergraduate degree at UW in 2022 and recently completed my Masters in Engineering. Going from a Biology undergraduate degree to an Engineering Masters was a big jump, and would not have been possible if not for all the support I received through the CCD. Therefore, I hope to use my experiences to provide the same level of support to other students considering further education. Some of my hobbies include listening to podcasts, baking, hiking, doing puzzles, dancing and photography!
Hi everyone! My name is Karl (he/him) (Languages: English/Mandarin), and I'm currently pursuing a double degree in Computer Science and Business Administration! If you have any questions or need support regarding employment opportunities or anything in general, please don't hesitate to reach out! In my free time, I love to play sports and cook, as well go on walks! Wishing you all a great term!
I'm Rhythm, studying Honours Economics and Business, specialization in Finance at the University of Waterloo. I love interacting with students, getting to know them and being a part of their academic and professional journeys. I can speak English, Hindi and Punjabi!
Hello! My name is Pearl (she/her) and I am an Employment Support Career Leader. I am currently majoring in Honours Biomedical Sciences and minoring in Medical Physiology. I chose this job because it gives me the opportunity to connect with my peers on a personal level. Talking about careers with my friends is something that interests me, and I enjoy giving advice about it! So far, I’ve learned a lot from this job, and I’m excited to learn more from my peers and share my daily insights with those around me. I love cooking and playing sports such as basketball and badminton. Spending time with my friends and shopping are musts for me too!
Hello, I'm Katherine (she/her). I'm in UG Biomedical Engineering 4A. My past work experience includes software, data, ML, project management and web dev/full stack. I've been doing lots of resume critiques and tech mentorship during my time here at Waterloo. I decided to join CCD to help increase the amount of tech experience on the team. Hoping to share what I've learned in all 6 of my co-ops in the tech sector with students and other staff here. I used to swim competitively and went on exchange to Singapore! Feel free to chat with me about nice nature hikes and things around Ontario. I'm also happy to discuss and chat about traveling and travel to Asia.
Hi all! My name is Hateem and I have a passion for mentorship and education. I completed my Bachelors of Public Health (Co-op) here at Uwaterloo and I am now pursuing my Masters of Science in Public Health Sciences. The CCD was a great system of support for me during my undergrad, so I am happy that I can now contribute in a meaningful way as a Career Leader. My interests include global health and women’s health advocacy so if you’d like to chat, shoot me a message! When I’m not on campus you can probably find me watching Netflix, thrifting or making origami!
Hi! My name is Neaa Rodrigues (she/her), and I’m an Employment Support Career Leader. I’m in my fourth year of Honours Psychology with a Research-Intensive Specialization, minoring in Legal Studies and Public Policy and Administration. As a Career Leader, I enjoy learning about new ways to support students and building connections. Talk to me about finding part-time jobs, research in psychology and Scooby Doo!
I’m Tanmayi. I'm a master’s student in Computer Engineering with a deep passion for solving complex problems. Before diving into research, I spent over three years as a Software Engineer in India, navigating a path filled with career choices and challenges. Throughout that journey, what made the biggest difference was the guidance and support I received, helping me make informed decisions at pivotal moments.
As someone who’s been in that uncertain space, I understand how overwhelming it can be. Over time, through my experiences as a mentor and Teaching Assistant, I’ve developed a strong sense of empathy and a genuine desire to help others. I love the opportunity to guide students who, like me, are navigating their own career paths through offering them the same clarity and encouragement that made a difference in my life. Helping others find their way forward is just as rewarding as the technical problems I love to solve. I also love all things literature and dance, and aspire to be a cat mom someday!
Hello! My name is Salva (she/her); I am an Employment Support Career Leader, which means that I support students, just like you, in their job and volunteer search. I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and I am interested in all things health! This interest is partially why I wanted to work as a career leader, as I would be able to help students navigate career-related concerns that may be negatively affecting their mental health and wellness. I look forward to meeting you!
Hi, my name is Celina, and I am an Employment Support Career Leader at the CCD. I am currently studying Economics and Business, Human Resources Management Minor. I’m more than happy to answer any questions to support you through the employment process. In my previous co-ops, I’ve gained exposure in the tech industry, mainly in the field of marketing. Outside of school, you will find me playing sports and I am interested in journaling and music!
Career leader (Workshop facilitators)
Hi all! I'm a Physics and Astronomy graduate with a passion for outreach and education! I'm passionate about cosmology, machine learning, martial arts (BJJ and Muay Thai) and a professional cat dad. Feel free to reach out if you would like to chat about anything!
Hello! My name is Candice (she/her) and I am currently a PhD candidate in the Geography program at UWaterloo researching technology adoption and transition in transport and clean energy. My background is interdisciplinary and international with study and work terms in China and the United Kingdom. I am passionate about knowledge sharing and helping students in academic development and personal success through my experiences as a teaching assistant, attending guest lecturers and this position. I am a foodie/food adventurer who enjoys cooking and exploring different international food. I also love music, swimming and trying new things.
Hey there! I'm Karina (she/her), and I've been a career leader and undergraduate workshop facilitator since May 2021! I'm in my last year of the Medical Physics program. I find joy in helping people, and I want to pursue medicine after my undergraduate degree. Similarly, I joined the CCD because I wanted a position where I could connect with students in the UWaterloo community and support them as they navigate their co-operative experience. When I'm not studying or working, you'll likely find me at practice—I've been on the Varsity Figure Skating team for four seasons!
Hey, I’m Melanie Bullagao (she/her) and I’m a career leader on the Workshop Facilitation team. I’m a fourth year BA Psychology student with a minor in English Literature. I’ve worked on campus in a variety of different positions and have been a part of this team since its creation in Spring 2022! I'm an avid traveler, reader and a big film fanatic, but I’m always up for a conversation about anything!
Hello, I'm Poojitha, and my pronouns are she/her. Currently, I'm pursuing my MASc in the Mechanical and Mechatronics department, specializing in Nanotechnology. I'm a workshop facilitator at CCD where I support graduate students in their quest for employment and further education. Beyond the lab and career development, there's a whole other side to me. I'm an avid traveler and an enthusiastic follower of travel blogs. Exploring new destinations, immersing in diverse cultures, and savoring global cuisines are some of my favorite things to do!
Career leaders: An inside look
Our career leaders contribute to a dynamic and social workplace environment while doing engaging and meaningful work. Learn what current and past career leaders loved about their role.
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!
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!
Join our team
Would you like to use your skills to help others as they embark on their careers? Working as a career leader can be a great opportunity to join other students looking to enhance their professional abilities. Visit WaterlooWorks to find the Centre for Career Development's job postings.