Leadership Series: Goal Setting

Mujtaba Ali

BES 2014 Geography, MCC 2016, Climate Change

Environment & Climate Change Coordinator at Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA)

I work with businesses and farmers in developing countries better adapt to the changing climate. I ensure the environment and climate action are championed in our projects. I communicate developments in climate action, technology development and stakeholder engagement within the organization broadly, fostering a sense of awareness and commitment to integrating a climate-focus into all their work. Another important role is to work closely with our field environment specialists to ensure environment strategies are developed and implemented according to our framework and project needs.

Ask me about:

• Goal setting best practices: Key resources, tools and strategies.
• Taking informed risks: How to manage your goals responsibly.

How has goal-setting influenced or informed your career path?

For me, my goal has been to secure a job in my field. My interest in climate change and international work led me to focus my Masters on more international work while incorporating some work within Canada as well! There have been challenges in my path but by looking forward and having a goal, I ensure I reach the destination at the end. What works for me is attending events such as this alumni session, conferences, webinars and asking questions. Going to organizations and asking for informational interviews even if they are not hiring. That way you get information and the organization is aware of your interest.

What advice or tips do you have for students around setting goals?

Goal setting is extremely important, nowadays everything moves so fast and if you don't have set plans then you will just get pushed around. For students, making plans and setting goals is not easy especially if you have a lot of time. You have to commit to your goals if you avoid it and move to another goal and then another then you will not have a direction and in the end, you may be left out in the cold.

Jordan Bruder

BES 2012, Planning

Director, Development, Strategy and Special Projects at Cadillac Fairview 

At CF I have the responsibility for special projects and the formulation of strategic development plans for large scale mixed-use projects. This means I am accountable alongside my colleagues for various acquisitions and dispositions including CF’s recent purchase of East Harbour in Toronto.

I also work closely with CF's senior leadership team and other cross functional teams as appropriate (Operations, Investment, Finance & Legal) to evaluate new asset classes and development opportunities/ strategies.

Ask me about:

• Finding your why: Understanding the purpose of setting goals.
• How to build discipline: What goes into building the right routine.
• Changing course: Knowing when (and how) to walk away from goals to pursue a different path.

How has goal-setting influenced or informed your career path?

I was fortunate enough to know that I wanted to pursue investments and development early on in my career. However, I lacked many of the skill sets required to be successful in the industry. I set several goals over a 2-5 year period including building a strong financial understanding and pursuing a formal education in real estate development. These goals directed me to the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) for several years as an analyst and two years pursuing my master's degree at Harvard University. Upon completing both goals, my current objective has been to build real world development and investment experience at Cadillac Fairview.

What advice or tips do you have for students around setting goals?

Continual goal setting is a critical component all individuals need to focus on to ensure career growth. My approach has always been to identify where you would like to be in the next 2-5 years and develop a clear road map on what key items you need to accomplish. Most importantly, identify areas you are currently weak in and focus on how to gain more exposure.

Miranda Burton

BES 2017, Geography
MCC 2018, Climate Change

TravelWise Program Manager at Sustainable Waterloo Region

TravelWise encourages and supports sustainable and active transportation options for people around the Waterloo Region! We work with employers to provide the tools and incentives that encourage sustainable mode shifts! 

My role is to help manage the program. I work with a team to provide on-site events, create communications for employers, recruit and onboard new members, create fun and exciting campaigns year-round and all the other small details in-between that a manager does to keep a project going!

Ask me about:

• Finding your why: Understanding the purpose of setting goals.
• Changing course: Knowing when (and how) to walk away from goals to pursue a different path.
• There's more to life than goals: Creating a balance and remaining present 

How has goal-setting influenced or informed your career path?

I knew at University that I wanted to do something that had a local impact. For me, I didn't have a sense of accomplishment working on the big picture, I liked the details better. I used this less of a goal and more of a feeling. I knew at a very early time what I liked and what I disliked.

What advice or tips do you have for students around setting goals?

Follow your heart- it sounds cliche but it is honestly something employers will see. If you have a passion for what you are doing it will come through in your work.

Set-up Incremental Goals- going full force can be difficult and discouraging. The classic, "walk before you run". It actually does help and gives you the confidence that you need to do a good job.

Matthew Chandy

BES 2003, Planning
MAES 2005, Planning

Manager, Office of Regional Economic Development at Region of Waterloo

Leading strategic economic development projects for the Region of Waterloo. Managing a team of economic development staff, the Office of Regional Economic Development leads smart city initiatives, strategic land assembly and development, economic development data, air service and business development, and cluster-based strategies.

Ask me about:

• Taking informed risks: How to manage your goals responsibly.
• How to build discipline: What goes into building the right routine?
• How to expect more of yourself: How to identify if you should be aiming higher.
• Changing course: Knowing when (and how) to walk away from goals to pursue a different path.

How has goal-setting influenced or informed your career path?

Goal setting started in university as to the different stages of my career with a plan as to how I was going to progress and associated timing. As I have progressed in my career, I have adjusted my plan based on lessons learned, continuous learning, and changes in my industry. Having this guidance has allowed me to successfully lead projects and teams, which has opened new doors in career advancement.

What advice or tips do you have for students around setting goals?

Start setting goals now. Do your research about your field of study today and in the future and decide where you want to be 5, 10, 20, and 30 years.

Lauren Cymbaly

BES 2009, Environment & Resource Studies
MES 2016, Geography

Ecologist, Beacon Environmental Ltd.

I complete ecological field investigations, prepare technical reports and work with project stakeholders to move forward with science-based solutions to complex development and infrastructure projects.

Ask me about:

• How to expect more of yourself: How to identify if you should be aiming higher.
• Finding your why: Understanding the purpose of setting goals.
• Changing course: Knowing when (and how) to walk away from goals to pursue a different path.

How has goal-setting influenced or informed your career path?

Goal setting is vitally important for understanding and preparing for a future present. My approach to goal setting has evolved to focus on understanding my strengths and weaknesses, the reasons behind them, and then figuring out how I can reach my potential and help others to reach theirs. At the end, I find this is helpful for setting goals that work towards finding a niche where you are not only challenged and happy, but also one where you can be of most use to your team to meet an overall objective. This approach has led to the opportunity to experiment in different roles and to work on a wide range of types of environmental projects spanning the public, not-for-profit and private sectors.  At the end of the day, this tactic has led to an overall rewarding and exciting career thus far, which has always been my overarching main objective /goal.

What advice or tips do you have for students around setting goals?

If you conceptualize and imagine a future that you wish to achieve, and remind yourself of this future on a regular basis, you are more likely to realize a present path that might get you there or one that might lead you astray from that future and subsequently correct it.  As you grow throughout your career, goals evolve more often than you’d expect – in my experience, meaningful goal setting is more about understanding what is important to you and figuring out a way to carve out your career to feasibly achieve this outcome, than it is about putting a checkmark on a task list.

Chelsea-Anne Edwards

BES 2016, Geography & Aviation 

First Officer, Sunwing Airlines 

Trained and fully qualified to fly the Boeing 737-800 from the right seat as a First Officer. I fly to many destinations in the Caribbean, Canada, and Europe.

Ask me about:

• Goal setting best practices: Key resources, tools and strategies.
• How to build discipline: What goes into building the right routine?
• Taking informed risks: How to manage your goals responsibly.
• How to expect more of yourself: How to identify if you should be aiming higher.

How has goal-setting influenced or informed your career path?

Goal setting is important to attain the things you want, and also to enrich the things you already have. While I was in school it was important to set goals within deadlines as they made assignments and time more manageable while making myself more accountable. Setting goals within my time at University allowed me to acquire great grades and success in school, leading to success in getting my career. Now that I am in my dream career I have goals to not only become a better pilot but to become captain by the time I'm 30. Having this goal makes me feel accountable to my actions and how I use my time, paying attention now to the steps I need to take to reach my goal.

What advice or tips do you have for students around setting goals?

One of the most simple strategies for goal setting is to write them down! Or better yet, set a reminder on your phone calendar when you know you need to get yourself in gear. When you're sitting on the couch browsing memes and Instagram and your phone yells at you to get off your butt and do something, you're going to feel that guilt, that accountability, and more likely than not, that day or the next, start working on that goal. 
Another simple strategy is to tell someone, or multiple people, that you are going to do something. Like telling about 100 people you'll be captain in the next 4 years. Now they subconsciously are holding you accountable to your goals as well! 

Anne Filion

BKI 2018, Knowledge Integration

Design and Innovation Coordinator at GreenHouse

GreenHouse is a community at St. Paul's University College that supports innovators who want to solve social or environmental problems. As the Design and Innovation Coordinator, I conceptualize, design, and facilitate various design and innovation sessions for students, youth and workplace partners. Every day looks very different but some of the key things I do include:  developing materials and guides for the organization, maintaining a network of key partnerships with the organization as well as developing, curating, and delivering content on innovation management processes. The overall goal is to enhance student-led social enterprises, policy innovations and awareness raising projects.

Ask me about:

• Goal setting best practices: Key resources, tools and strategies.
• How to build discipline: What goes into building the right routine?
• Changing course: Knowing when (and how) to walk away from goals to pursue a different path. 

How has goal-setting influenced or informed your career path?

My approach to goal setting is rather adaptive, where I can map out many different paths to reach my desired goal. I use my goals to shape the decisions I make and my personal behaviour by ensuring that those things are always moving me closer towards this goal. Should they not, I know I have to change (or change my goal) in order to succeed. In terms of career, as a young professional, I often find it difficult to make decisions about what I want to do in the future. By setting a goal early related to some of my key values, what kind of skills I want to develop or how I want to contribute to my life or the life of others, I have been able to structure my career in a way that has so far continuously allowed me to move closer towards those things (particularly because they are things I care about).

What advice or tips do you have for students around setting goals?

• Revisit your goals often and restructure them as needed
• Determine what your key values and structure your goals according to those values
• Divide your goal into smaller steps, behaviours or decisions that drive you closer towards it
• Write down your goal somewhere for it to act as a reminder
• Share your goals with other who can hold you accountable to them

Rebecca Garlick

MCC 2019, Climate Change

Climate Change Coordinator at Perth County and the Lower Tier Municipalities

I am developing community greenhouse gas reduction plans for each of the six municipalities and an overarching County-wide plan. I am completing community greenhouse gas inventories, and moving into hosting public consultation events in the new year.

Ask me about:

• Goal setting best practices: Key resources, tools and strategies.
• How to expect more of yourself: How to identify if you should be aiming higher.
• Finding your why: Understanding the purpose of setting goals.
• Changing course: Knowing when (and how) to walk away from goals to pursue a different path.

How has goal-setting influenced or informed your career path?

Setting goals absolutely influenced and informed my career path. During my undergraduate degree, I started looking for jobs within the environmental/sustainability field. I searched through job descriptions and found a lot of commonalities among them and looked at the key qualifications for what sounded like my dream jobs. By doing this, it helped me to set the goal of being employable within positions that excited me. This process helped me to choose the right post-graduate and Masters programs, and helped me to narrow down which courses I was going to take to build the skills so I could get one of those dream jobs in the future.

What advice or tips do you have for students around setting goals?

Write it down! Keep yourself accountable to those goals you have. Each month, at least, you should sit down and reflect on your personal and professional goals and set out a timeline of when you would like to achieve those, and put actions next to those goals so you know ways that you CAN achieve them - come back to those each month and see if there are any new actions or goals you can add or change. I've found that writing in a daily agenda helps to keep you accountable to those daily goals, which help build towards reaching those long term goals - this is definitely something that I will be fully committing to in the New Year (as a new goal).

Ryan Hanes

BES 2018, Environment & Business

International Programs Manager at Communitech and Canadian Digital Media Network

At Communitech I do three things:

1. I manage the Canadian Digital Media Network (CDMN)'s Soft Landing program that provides tech companies across Canada support in accessing international markets for sales, investment and partnership.
2. I manage Communitech's international relations; whether it's international delegations (academia, incubators/accelerators, government representatives) or whether it's building those relationships to help Communitech startups and scale-ups go international.
3. I manage Communitech's engagement with the global Google for Startups partner network, which gives our startups access to over 50 tech hubs worldwide, in addition to Google perks, programming and mentorship.

Ask me about:

• Goal setting best practices: Key resources, tools and strategies.
• How to build discipline: What goes into building the right routine?
• How to expect more of yourself: How to identify if you should be aiming higher.
• Finding your why: Understanding the purpose of setting goals.

How has goal-setting influenced or informed your career path?

I have used goal setting in every aspect of my life, both personally and professionally. Personally, as a young man with a passion for the game of hockey, I set a personal goal of having a successful career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). I achieved that goal and ended up playing over 300 games in the league, followed by a varsity hockey career at the University of Waterloo. Professionally, I have taken the same approach, except with a more internal lens. When I enter a new role at any organization, the first thing I do is set a specific goal which is normally to advance beyond this current role into something else. You may think that would be a bit soon in the role to start thinking that way, but in order to achieve a goal, one needs to know where they're headed! There's no question you must take pride in your current role and go above and beyond within those parameters, but that doesn't mean you can't be driving each of your actions towards achieving whatever your next goal is! This mentality has helped me advance in my early career, and on occasion has allowed me to actually create the role that I want to have!

What advice or tips do you have for students around setting goals?

• You may have heard of the S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound) method to goal setting...it works! Use it.
• Don't forget to frequently check-in with yourself and revisit your goals. What is true for yourself today, may not be true tomorrow.
• Context is king. If you know "why" you're setting a particular goal, you are many times more likely to achieve it. Always focus on context.
• Believe it can happen. If you set a goal and don't believe you can achieve it, then you've just bought yourself a one-way ticket to not achieving that goal. You need to truly believe it's possible (even if it's a big, hairy, audacious goal!).
• Keep yourself accountable, every step of the way. Set little 'checkpoints' that you should be hitting along the way, and revisit each time a checkpoint is missed or not quite hit.
• One of my favourite quotes says it all: "A DREAM written down with a date becomes a GOAL. A goal broken down into steps becomes a PLAN. A plan backed by ACTION makes the dream come true".

Shiza Khalid

BES 2017, International Development

English Conversation Programs Assistant at Conestoga College, Student Engagement Office

I am studying Teaching English as a Second Language and along with this I work part time at the Student Engagement office as an English Conversation Programs Assistant. As a part of this job, I create the schedules, organize the materials and facilitate English Conversation Circles (ECC). ECC provides a platform for English language learners to practice their conversation/speaking skills in a relaxed, comfortable and safe environment. The second program is called English Conversation Partners which pairs an English speaker with an English language learner to allow for speaking practice and to learn about the local culture. Within this program, I help with keeping records of the matches and organizing the events throughout the term. With both of these programs, I am working on creating a program schedule/timeline that will be used for future terms.

Ask me about:

• Goal setting best practices: Key resources, tools and strategies.
• How to build discipline: What goes into building the right routine?
• Taking informed risks: How to manage your goals responsibly.
• Finding your why: Understanding the purpose of setting goals.
• Changing course: Knowing when (and how) to walk away from goals to pursue a different path. 

How has goal-setting influenced or informed your career path?

I used to think that goal setting did not help before but when I started doing it, it made a huge difference. It showed me step by step exactly what I needed to do in order to achieve the success that I want in my career. It really helped me focus on the important things (certifications, volunteer opportunities, etc.) that I need and it taught me the patience to wait and work hard to achieve the best for myself.

What advice or tips do you have for students around setting goals?

Make sure that you know what you're aiming for. A great way to do that is to brainstorm, aim for a broad goal and then narrow it down so that you have a specific thing to work towards. The best way, in my opinion, is to have a big/long term goal and then small/short term goals that build towards the big goal. This helps in breaking things down and makes achieving your goal manageable.

Maria Legault

BES 2011, Environment, Resources & Sustainability
MES 2014, Geography & Environmental Management

Project Coordinator at echosims

As a Project Coordinator, I work closely with different stakeholders to carry out client communication, project management tasks, and deliverables. As my role bridges between different teams (e.g. sales and production), I'm challenged to grow every day in my soft skills. This includes the setting appropriate and attainable goals for myself and others.

Ask me about:

• Goal setting best practices: Key resources, tools and strategies.
• How to build discipline: What goes into building the right routine?
• Changing course: Knowing when (and how) to walk away from goals to pursue a different path. 

How has goal-setting influenced or informed your career path?

Early in my career path, I set the goal to become a Park Ranger for Parks Canada. I believed that I wanted to work outside. As my career journey unfolded, I modified that goal for a number of practical reasons.  I found a free professional development course to grow my skills in digital marketing as a part of my new goal to work with an advertising agency. Nowadays, I bicycle into work and hike often. I am able to bring my passion for the outdoors to my colleagues in the digital marketing agency I work with. My goals have been fundamental to my growth, but I also see them as stepping stones rather than being set in stone.

What advice or tips do you have for students around setting goals?

Building a routine has been essential for me to meet the big, hairy, audacious goals I want to reach in my personal and professional life. For example, waking up early and spending time journaling, meditating, and reading for the day ahead has given me strength as well as presence of mind during stressful times as I reach for a goal.

Katarina Milicic

BES 2018, Environment & Business

Sustainability Outreach and Programs Coordinator at Wilfrid Laurier University

• Plan campaigns and activities to engage the Laurier community including Bike Month, O-Week, Carpool month, and staff sustainability certificate workshops
• Lead all communications, social media engagement, and in-person engagement on a daily basis
• Enable the office to have a large campus and community presence by creating new programs, enhancing existing projects, and making new connections

Ask me about:

• Goal setting best practices: Key resources, tools and strategies.

• Changing course: Knowing when (and how) to walk away from goals to pursue a different path.

• How to build discipline: What goes into building the right routine.

How has goal-setting influenced or informed your career path?

Goal setting has influenced my career path in many positive ways! When I was in co-op one of my managers was very keen on setting goals in my career and ever since I've been an advocate for setting goals.

By goal setting, I was able to take on volunteer roles whether it be with youth or sustainability projects, and it allowed me to build the right skills to build my career the way I had envisioned it. When I would create new goals at the beginning of a work term I could reflect back on those and if I didn't achieve them, I could improve going forward!

What advice or tips do you have for students around setting goals?

Always set goals, but don't be afraid to change them. When you're on co-op, working a part-time job, or in school, you have to have built-in-flexibility as well! 

Be realistic and reflect on your past. When you set goals that aren't in a reasonable reach, you set your expectations too high. You want to create your goals incrementally and that way you can celebrate the little wins as you go along in your career!

Andrea Minano

BES 2013, Geomatics
MSC 2015, Geography & Environmental Management

Research Manager, Climate Risk Research Group at the University of Waterloo 

I am a researcher, geospatial data scientist and cartographer who is currently working at the University of Waterloo. My work focuses on digital and physical geography with a public policy spin. To date, I have primarily specialized in environmental risks (e.g., flooding) and the role and importance of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.

Ask me about:

• Finding your why: Understanding the purpose of setting goals.

How has goal-setting influenced or informed your career path?

Goal setting has informed many decisions that I've had to make over the years. Whether this be learning a new skill set that I see is needed to improve my marketability to employers, or purposely putting myself in unfamiliar situations to learn something new (e.g., doing media interviews, moving to a new city). These goals are informed through observation of trends in the workplace and conferences (e.g., emerging technologies), or taking advice from senior staff (e.g., pursuing graduate studies).

What advice or tips do you have for students around setting goals?

• Identify goals that are relevant to you by listening and taking advice from professionals that have a job that you could see yourself doing in the future (e.g., what degrees do they have? what experience do they consider essential for their job?). 
• Learn skills that could differentiate you from your peers. In my case, this was to learn computer programming when the majority of my peers focused on environmental studies courses. What could make your resume stand out? E.g., extracurricular activities, co-op placements, etc.
• Put yourself in new situations to learn something about yourself (e.g., what you like or not like) and new skills

Rachel Morin

BES 2012, Environment & Business 

Founder at Solstice Recruiting and Planningwithmaggierae.com

I run a remote recruiting consultancy focused on finding great candidates for marketing companies on campaigns representing industry leaders in Telecomm, merchant processing and renewable energy. 
I also have an online business where I work as a productivity coach and content creator. Planning with Maggie Rae specializes in teaching practical goal setting, productivity and organization strategies to help others make the most of the time they have so they can create the lives they want.

Ask me about:

• Goal setting best practices: Key resources, tools and strategies.
• Taking informed risks: How to manage your goals responsibly.
• How to expect more of yourself: How to identify if you should be aiming higher.
• Finding your why: Understanding the purpose of setting goals.

• How to build discipline: What goes into building the right routine.

How has goal-setting influenced or informed your career path?

Goal setting is a major part of my career and it was only when I started setting specific goals that I was passionate about that things really took off. It's hard to get where you want to go if you don't know where that is, so figuring that out and then working backwards lays an easy path to follow and if you set milestones along the way, it's easy to stay motivated since you really see your progress. 
The first time I did this I went from being an entry-level sales representative to being the fastest top tier management promotion in the organization's history and the first woman to be running a national campaign.

What advice or tips do you have for students around setting goals?

You get better as you do it. Goal setting is hard the first few times but practice is the key. You also need to be flexible since timelines will change as you work towards your goals.

The best practical tools that I recommend would be the use of a good planning system, I personally love the bullet journal. It's amazing for really discovering what works for you when it comes to your planning and goal-setting habits. My favourite goals setting strategy has been the 30.60.90 which is a 90 day action plan to achieving goals. 

Carlie Ogilvie Stransky

BES 2015, Environment, Resources & Sustainability

Sustainability Analyst at Kinross Gold

I gather and interpret Environmental, Health and Safety, and Community Relations reports and data from our sites all over the world. This data is used for benchmarking data for sustainability performance. I assist in CSR initiatives and travel to our sites to conduct training and conduct pre-audits.

Ask me about:

• Taking informed risks: How to manage your goals responsibly.
• How to build discipline: What goes into building the right routine?
• How to expect more of yourself: How to identify if you should be aiming higher.
• Changing course: Knowing when (and how) to walk away from goals to pursue a different path.

How has goal-setting influenced or informed your career path?

Understanding my vision for my future is vital for planning what I am going to do today, tomorrow, for the rest of the week. I am constantly revisiting goals I've written down for myself and making sure I am on track to achieving them. Complacency or veering off down a different path can happen easily when you have so many options and directions in front of you all the time. With that in mind, revisiting and checking in with yourself constantly is incredibly important. Without goal setting, I know my direction to the career I want would have been altered significantly as it can be easier to go down a path of least resistance. I put myself in networking situations where I get to meet people who are constantly inspiring me to continue on my path. Doing this opens up more opportunities in achieving my goals.

What advice or tips do you have for students around setting goals?

Find some people who you are inspired by in the work they do and whose jobs or accomplishments are similar to what you'd like to achieve in your lifetime. Reach out to them for a coffee or study their experiences if possible. Learn what they did to get to where they are and determine if that is what you want in life. Once you have a better idea of what it is you want and how to get there, you can start planning how you can start fitting little (or big!) things into your daily routine to accomplishing your goals.

Andrew Palmer

BES 2013, Environment & Business

Project Manager at Greenland International Consulting Engineers Ltd.

My work includes a variety of different project initiatives, including municipal infrastructure (contract administration and construction management), stormwater management and watershed protection, indigenous engagement, site assessment and fuel tank capital works projects. Daily tasks include report and proposal writing, analysis and interpretation of environmental field data, business development efforts, industry research and project/budget management.

Ask me about:

• How to build discipline: What goes into building the right routine?
• How to expect more of yourself: How to identify if you should be aiming higher.
• Finding your why: Understanding the purpose of setting goals.
• Changing course: Knowing when (and how) to walk away from goals to pursue a different path. 

How has goal-setting influenced or informed your career path?

Goal setting is an important part of life, whether it be directed towards professional or personal endeavors. For my career, it has been helpful to first sit down and really think about the impact and long-term progression of my current/future work, while staying aware of the bigger picture other life goals and dreams outside of the workplace. Being able to (at least somewhat) find alignment within these differing worlds has helped in ensuring the long-term and consistent achievement of each. For example, this included sitting down with my manager early on in my career and setting out goals towards full-time project management of projects related to stormwater management and indigenous engagement. We put together a roadmap of upcoming projects falling under these themes and the types of skills necessary for success in each. This action plan helped in directing my efforts towards certain training courses and out-of-office reading and helped my manager in being aware of any relevant tasks they could assign to help further build my capacity. Skills gained here have also helped in expanding my volunteer capacity from founding a local Rotary Chapter, providing core research services for a federal campaign initiative and securing a board member position at a local non-for-profit. 

As per the above, I have also found that aiming to set goals that satisfy a wide variety of interests can also lead to interesting and unique opportunities for further growth that have benefits across both professional and personal boundaries. 

Finally, engaging my mentors at the early stages of this process for feedback on blind spots or biases was also quite helpful in vastly reducing the number of course corrections once further along this roadmap.

What advice or tips do you have for students around setting goals?

• Engage your mentors early in the goal setting process for feedback and advice.
• Be aware of your own expectations and self-identified labels when setting long-term goals. It is important to know why certain goals are being set, and if these goals come from either your own internal interests/passions or are driven from more external sources.
• What gets measured gets managed! Quantifying your goals to a certain extent (volunteer at # initiatives, manage # projects, attend # networking events, etc.) is helpful and adhering to these commitments is important to ensure continual improvement. 
• Don't be afraid to pivot/adjust certain goals if your interests change, but aim to be consistent in your follow-through as much as possible.

Mojgan Rasouli

MA 2013, Planning

Planner at Bousfields Inc.

Since joining Bousfields, I am involved in a wide range of projects throughout Toronto and GTA. I assist in the preparation of due diligence reports, site-specific policy research, planning rationale reports and associated studies, draft zoning by-laws and coordination of development applications, including Official Plan Amendments, Zoning ByLaw Amendments, minor variance/consents and draft plans of subdivision.

Ask me about:

• Goal setting best practices: Key resources, tools and strategies.
• Taking informed risks: How to manage your goals responsibly.
• How to build discipline: What goes into building the right routine?
• How to expect more of yourself: How to identify if you should be aiming higher.
• Finding your why: Understanding the purpose of setting goals.
• Changing course: Knowing when (and how) to walk away from goals to pursue a different path. 

How has goal-setting influenced or informed your career path?

Undoubtedly, goal setting in my career path after graduation had a great impact on my decisions and approach. For the few months right after graduation, I was thinking where I would like to land with my Master's degree in planning and of course some international experience. I started to meet different people within different context, who worked either in private or public sector. I created my daily journal, updated my resume, LinkedIn profile and started cold calling and sending emails to people who I met at previous events or even those I have not met but I was connected with through Linked In or I found via the company profile. That was not easy to start networking but believe me that is the key. My goal was to meet at least two people per week and send 5 emails to prospective employers.  Soon after, I realized that I had to narrow down my goals, so I asked several questions including which area of planning I wanted to start working on (e.g. transportation, urban design, development, environment, ...) and based on the answers I start to reconnect with my peers. So, the first step in my goal setting journey was to understand my interests and prepare a list/portfolio of my achievements including projects/papers/assignments.  The next step was to attend events to meet professionals which included City of Toronto Public Consultation meetings where I found my very first intern/volunteer position.

What advice or tips do you have for students around setting goals?

As I noted, the first step in Goal Setting is to understand your interests and set your priorities based on what you want to pursue in planning. My very first advice is that - to narrow down your interest and experience. This can be done after you schedule meetings with a number of your connections and attend some events to get an idea where you really want to go in your career. To be honest this stage took me a long time, almost 6 months and I wish I knew it earlier.

The other tips that I would want to share with you is that do not sit behind your computers and send resumes. This will not work. The more people you know the more opportunities you will get. Based on your interests/experience get connected with those who have the same interests. Email these people and ask them for advice. Stay connected with those you have met.

Another key point is to get yourself up to date on what is going on in the Planning world at the national/provincial and municipal levels. This will also help you to find your interests. While you are at school it is important to work on the projects that you can find a relation in the real industry. If you have a chance, get the opportunity to meet people who are doing the exact work you are interested in. If you want to get into the planning world, start linking theory and practice while you are at school.

Another important strategy is to attend and present at the planning associations and conferences.

Another opportunity that helped me a lot was joining a Toastmaster's Club! which really helped my communication and public speaking skills.

So, if I want to summarize my tips and strategies in career planning they would be: Find your interest in planning, connect with people, stay connected with people, find relevant assignments and work on your communication and presentation skills.

Tracey Ryan

BES 1986, Geography & Environmental Management

Manager of Environmental Education and Restoration at Grand River Conservation Authority

Cat herder and Fun Sucker

I lead the two teams within the GRCA.  Conservation Services which are responsible for delivering private land stewardship programming.  This includes delivering financial and technical assistance programs to improve and protect water quality and build watershed resilience through the implementation of best management practices.  This group also does community education events and volunteer events.  
 

The other team is the Outdoor Education program.  This includes developing programming, managing Nature Centres, contract management, risk management etc.  This team delivers outdoor environmental education to students from k to 12, community organizations, day camp and park interpretation.

Ask me about:

• How to expect more of yourself: How to identify if you should be aiming higher.
• Changing course: Knowing when (and how) to walk away from goals to pursue a different path.

How has goal-setting influenced or informed your career path?

I am not sure I have ever set concrete goals.  I have spent my career preparing for opportunities and developing skills that enhance my value to the organization (and others).  I have looked for ways to connect programs and network internally and externally.

What advice or tips do you have for students around setting goals?

• Be prepared and be open to opportunities.  
• Start in contract positions or admin positions that allow you to gain experience, connections and learn about the organization.

Andrea Sinclair

BES 2004, Planning

Partner at MHBC Planning 

MHBC Planning is a consulting firm that provides planning, urban design and landscape architecture services to clients in both the public and private sectors.  I provide expert planning and urban design advice to clients in order to facilitate the completion of a wide variety of projects.   

Ask me about:

• How to build discipline: What goes into building the right routine?
• How to expect more of yourself: How to identify if you should be aiming higher.
• Finding your why: Understanding the purpose of setting goals.
• Changing course: Knowing when (and how) to walk away from goals to pursue a different path. 

How has goal-setting influenced or informed your career path?

Through performance reviews, MHBC has always emphasized the importance of setting goals. From early in my career I focused on goals related to Professional Development (e.g. becoming a Registered Professional Planner (RPP), as well as goals that have benefitted the company as a whole.

What advice or tips do you have for students around setting goals?

• Your professional goals should not be tied to personal gain.  For example, wanting to save money to buy a house is a completely valid goal, but it is your goal and not the goal of your employer. Instead, focus on goals that will assist your professional development and goals that will make you an asset to your team.   
• Set short, medium and long term goals.    
• Set goals that will help your personal Professional Development as well as goals that will challenge you (e.g.  I have been working on a lot of projects about X.  I would like to try working on projects about Z).  
• Find a mentor and work with your mentor to achieve your goals.  
• Draw from the experience of others, and ask for advice.  
• Understand why your goals are important and what the goal is really about.    
• Revisit your goals after a set amount of time. 

Ryan Snider

PHD 2012, Geography & Environmental Management

Safari Guide at Socially Responsible Safaris

I get Canadians excited about the possibility of going on an African safari, sign them up, and then guide them on their "trip of a lifetime."

Ask me about:

• Goal setting best practices: Key resources, tools and strategies.
• Taking informed risks: How to manage your goals responsibly.
• Finding your why: Understanding the purpose of setting goals.

How has goal-setting influenced or informed your career path?

When I started Socially Responsible Safaris in 2006, my goal was to coordinate and guide 3 safaris per year.  I thought this was a realistic challenge considering my limited experience and knowledge at the time.  However, as I started to gain more understanding and confidence, this goal eventually turned into 17 safaris per year -- albeit with other employees helping to make this a reality.  And therein lies my approach to goal setting; identify others who have the skills you lack, bring them on board, and allow them to help you get to your next goal.

What advice or tips do you have for students around setting goals?

I am a firm believer in writing down 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year goals.  And then going one step further by outlining the various steps required to get to those goals.  It's true, that goals don't always come to fruition, but once you are actually moving towards a goal, then it is easier to 'pivot' as necessary.   

Similarly, try to identify others who have skills that you lack, and who can help you get to the next goal.  

Chris Van Esbroeck

BES 2007, Geography & Environmental Management
MSc 2015, Geography & Environmental Management

Stewardship Services Coordinator at Maitland Valley Conservation Authority

Coordinates the delivery of environmental stewardship and monitoring programs within the MVCA watershed.

Ask me about:

• Finding your why: Understanding the purpose of setting goals.
• Changing course: Knowing when (and how) to walk away from goals to pursue a different path.

How has goal-setting influenced or informed your career path?

Early on in my career, I was told that "there will always be jobs for the best." I took that to heart and made a commitment to continuous learning. At key points in my career, I identified opportunities (education, training, volunteer, etc.) and took action to set me apart from the competition in the job market. Understanding what training was needed to get to the next step and taking action has helped me advance to the position I'm in.

What advice or tips do you have for students around setting goals?

• Focus on gaining experience in your field and learning the industry. Don't prioritize money right out of the gate. Get in, and keep your eyes open for the position that you really want.
• Once you know what you'd like to do, identify the skills and experience required, then go get it. 
• Commit to continuous learning. 
• Find a job that gets you noticed by other people and organizations. This will help you understand career options and open opportunities.
• Find a job where you will have a great mentor. A great mentor will want you to advance further than themselves.

Ailish Wade

MAES  2014, Local Economic Development

Sustainability Consultant at Premier Environmental Services Inc.

As a Sustainability Consultant with Premier, I work with clients to deliver solutions that support their business objectives tied to operational sustainability and wellness in the workplace. I design and implement comprehensive programs that engage organizations and their employees in sustainable initiatives and create positive, lasting behaviour change. As part of my commitment to optimizing human health and wellbeing in the built environment, I support clients in their pursuit of WELL Building Certification.

Ask me about:

• Goal setting best practices: Key resources, tools and strategies.
• Taking informed risks: How to manage your goals responsibly.
• How to build discipline: What goes into building the right routine?
• How to expect more of yourself: How to identify if you should be aiming higher.
• Finding your why: Understanding the purpose of setting goals.
• Changing course: Knowing when (and how) to walk away from goals to pursue a different path. 

How has goal-setting influenced or informed your career path?

Setting both short and long term goals has been an important part of my career.

What advice or tips do you have for students around setting goals?

Write your goals down to hold yourself accountable, and reference them on a regular basis to ensure they are top of mind. Be realistic by setting attainable goals - setting goals that are out of reach, or having unrealistic timelines for achieving your goals can end up setting you further back. Develop a plan for achieving your goals, and track your progress on an ongoing basis.

Meghan Wahab

BKI 2016, Knowledge Integration

Product Designer at Bonfire Interactive

I research and design great user experiences for public sector agencies.

Ask me about:

• Goal setting best practices: Key resources, tools and strategies.
• Taking informed risks: How to manage your goals responsibly.
• How to build discipline: What goes into building the right routine?
• How to expect more of yourself: How to identify if you should be aiming higher.
• Finding your why: Understanding the purpose of setting goals.
• Changing course: Knowing when (and how) to walk away from goals to pursue a different path. 

How has goal-setting influenced or informed your career path?

My goals were directly tied to my personal values and beliefs, although it wasn't that obvious during my schooling. I had always envisioned my future working with and for other people, and that has led me to work in the digital industry, positively impacting humans every day.

What advice or tips do you have for students around setting goals?

Be realistic but be ambitious. Patience is key in attaining your goals - you can't expect to get it all right overnight. Just like travel, the destination isn't as important as the journey, never forget it!

Deborah Zufelt

BES 2011, Planning

Manager, Land Administration at CanACRE Ltd

I lead a team who drafts agreements (mostly leases and easements) for our field specialists to get signed for large scale energy infrastructure projects so our clients can gain access to the lands. I also review title and perform due diligence with our clients' external counsel.

Ask me about:

• How to expect more of yourself: How to identify if you should be aiming higher.
• Finding your why: Understanding the purpose of setting goals.

• Changing course: Knowing when (and how) to walk away from goals to pursue a different path.

• How to create opportunity for yourself where you're at today.

How has goal-setting influenced or informed your career path?

My career goals mostly pertain to how I want to feel (like I'm in a safe, supportive environment, that I'm coaching and mentoring others, that I have a sense of accomplishment in what I do) rather than any specific job title or path. When I started at CanACRE I thought I knew very little about the land industry, coming from a more environmental background. The more I learned, the more I was able to make connections with the things I've learned in my education, co-op, and internship and to realize that I'm not as far behind as I thought. I sought out mentorship from female leaders in the organization and looked for their perspective on what practical and also more intangible tools I needed to move forward. From there I started reading books and having discussions about leadership and communication to start to recognize how my interactions influence and affect others. I also started taking Institute of Law Clerk courses to work towards an advanced designation. Together, these have really strengthened my soft and technical skills and allowed me to advance from a Land Administrator to a supervisor, to a manager of the department in 4 years.

What advice or tips do you have for students around setting goals?

• Work from the long term down. Where do you want to be in 20 years? What do you need to get there? 
• Look for gaps in operations at your company and fill them. Don't wait for someone to ask you to. 
• Always be respectful and kind to your fellow human beings. You never know which classmate you may apply for a job with someday.