Written by Justine (she/her), student
If Akua learned anything from university, it’s to step outside her comfort zone.
After graduating from International Development in the Faculty of Environment, Akua used the skills she gained from her program to help recruit future Waterloo students. Providing students with the necessary knowledge to succeed has made her job rewarding as an international recruitment specialist at the University.
I gained an entirely new appreciation for life outside my comfort zone.
International choices
Akua always knew she wanted to work in the international field either in development, policy, or education. She was able to find a program like this in our Faculty of Environment. “I always knew I wanted a broader understanding of development.”
The International Development program provides students with the tools and skills needed to tackle issues of economic inequality, social injustice, and environmental change. Offering a blend of environmental studies, social sciences, and language courses means you’ll graduate with the capacity to solve problems at the local and global level.
Reflecting on the courses she took, Akua shares INDEV 200: The Political Economy of Development was her favourite. “I grew up in a very political family as a result of my parents' and grandparents' careers. So, at a very early age, I was exposed to concepts and “the big players” in the development world i.e., the World Bank, IMF, UN, etc. This course allowed me to explore in detail these players and their contributions and lack thereof to various developing economies. It also allowed me to form and explore my perceptions, understanding, and experiences of the developing world and its shortcomings and successes.”
The best part of studying International Development (besides the interesting courses and amazing professors) is that you can go on to work in many different industries or pursue a master's degree. You can work in policy with the government, go on to law school, or take the path of education just like Akua did.
From where she started in university to where she is in her career now, she knows she's made the right decision. Working with youth in this sector of education has been the right balance for Akua’s passions and keeps her motivated.
Regardless of where I find myself, I am contributing to the growth of generations to come, and what better way to inspire the youth within the Black community than through education and a belief in their strength and wisdom?
Where will you go?
Throughout her undergrad, Akua learned to live outside her comfort zone. This gave her confidence in being alone but also built a community around her.
In her fourth year, Akua had a placement in Vietnam, which challenged her perspectives and pushed her out of her comfort zone even more! Most importantly, she gained a new appreciation of a culture very different yet similar to her own. International Development requires an eight-month placement in fourth year, and in partnership with WUSC (World University Service of Canada), Akua was able to travel and work in another country. “I worked with a Microfinance NGO in Hanoi; a Gender NGO based in Hanoi with field projects in Hoa Binh, and volunteered at Hai Phong community college over the weekends supporting student engagement and English projects. This placement allowed me to explore my interest in working in international education through project and event coordination at the college. I also learned from a culture very different in affairs of gender.”
This placement confirmed my desire to grow through experiences of other cultures and societies through travel, in addition to working with students, gender, multiculturalism, and immigration.
Helping students
Working in recruitment, Akua’s been able to connect with students in a different way.
“I have worked with students from across the globe, and one thing they all have in common that keeps me going is their growth.” Akua is a big proponent of strength being born out of challenges. But she also strongly believes that no challenge should be undertaken alone.
When she can contribute and bear witness to the growth of a student, and see them succeed in their goals, this is what makes her fulfilled in the work she does.
Seeing the growth of a student from first year through to graduation, or at the beginning of a semester till the end of the semester is what Akua thrives on. “Most days when I go out recruiting, speaking to parents and high school students, I always see myself in their worries and concerns about the university experience and my ability to calm their concerns at the end of every conversation is a big a win for me. It’s the community in the conversation that keeps me going. I love that I can share my experience and the warmth I gained as a student at Waterloo.”
It wasn’t always an easy path Akua was on, and there were some difficult transitions and periods during her time as a student. This helped her understand more about what makes being a student great, and the hardships faced. “I try to be as transparent as I can with prospective students about my experiences. One big plus was the moment I opened myself to the Waterloo community. Everyone was open to building a community within my faculty and beyond, and the campus warmly opened with a ton of opportunity and grace.”
Now that Akua has graduated and is working at Waterloo, she reflects on what she's learned after becoming a Waterloo alumnus.
“There were so many opportunities in the form of programs, services, and support I could have explored more than I did as a student.” For this reason, she strongly encourages students to be curious and adventurous in diversifying their degree. You might explore mentorship through one of Waterloo's business incubators, pitch your idea to start a business, or take a Theatre and Performance minor to be part of a stage production. Four (or five) years do go by very quickly, but there are so many rich experiences that can happen at the University of Waterloo.
Community and support
The Black student community at Waterloo has grown tremendously since Akua was a student. “My community and supports when I was a student weren't necessarily the Black community. But, today on campus, there has been a huge shift.”
Akua has been connecting with clubs, associations, and students across campus and the amount of support she's gotten from communities who advocate for Black students has been incredible. Most Black students today have a supportive community to lean on. This is a win in her books because it’s encouraging to see this community support that she works tirelessly to contribute to.
Focusing her work on recruiting Black students, Akua finds herself answering the recurring question of what community and support there is on campus.
Waterloo offers a diverse group of clubs, activities, and supports for students including
- Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Anti-racism (EDI-R),
- UWBase (University of Waterloo Black Association for Student Expression),
- Racial Advocacy for Inclusion, Solidarity and Equity (RAISE),
- African Student Association (UWASA),
- AfroXDance,
Akua is open to questions about life in Canada and the campus experience, paying for university, gaining hands-on work experience through co-op, Black student community/supports, program requirements, or anything else.
Have questions? Connect with Akua — she'd love to chat!
From once being in your place as a student to figuring it all out, Akua has managed to find her passion for working with students by taking risks and stepping outside of her comfort zone. But after all, isn’t that where you find yourself and learn the most?
