“Get Ready for: Life After Graduation” is an exciting and innovative new pilot program for upper-year students living in UW Place Waterloo Court.
As you continue to prepare for your future, it’s important to enhance your self-awareness and develop skills that will help you navigate your choices. This program can assist you in developing those skills and in making connections with alumni mentors, other upper-year students, and subject matter experts.
The “Get Ready for: Life After Graduation” program will have two main elements:
Alumni in Residence – mentors who share their experiences with you and help guide your growth and development.
A workshop series where you learn life skills from subject matter experts. Past workshops have included Networking, Cooking, and Money Matters (how to manage your money).
The program is currently running each term for upper-year residents in UW Place Waterloo Court.
Apply now to be part of Get Ready for: Life After Graduation. How to apply
Apply online for upper-year residence. Applications are open for Winter 2018, Spring 2018, and Fall 2018.
Rank “UW Place, single room in 3 or 4 bedroom suite” as your first choice.
Email housing@uwaterloo.ca to indicate that want to participate in Get Ready for: Life After Graduation. If there is still space in Waterloo Court, and you meet the deadlines and criteria for applying to upper-year residence, you will be placed in Waterloo Court.
The Alumni in Residence
Torrie Santucci
Bachelor of Environmental Studies (2014)
Master of Climate Change (2015)
“We alumni have gone through what most students are currently experiencing…students who are hoping to expand their social circle, get a leg up on the coop job hunt, or advance their life and academic skill-set should look no further than the Alumni in Residence program.”
Faryal Diwan
Bachelor of Environmental Studies (2015)
“To me success is when my students succeed and I’m more than happy to give my time to advise them in any way that will help them be successful.”
Applications for the Alumnus in Residence position in 2018-19 are now open. Interested applicants should review the job description and submit a resume and cover letter to Melissa McNown-Smith, Manager Living-Learning at melissa.mcnown-smith@uwaterloo.ca. Application deadline is April 2, 2018.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of alumnus will live in residence? Who are the alumni?
The Alumnus in Residence will be alumni who have graduated approximately 2-3 years ago from the University of Waterloo and are established in their careers.
How many alumnus in residence will there be?
There will be 2 Alumnus in Residence. One in Waterloo Court North and one in Waterloo Court South.
Why was UWP chosen?
The number of upper-year student spaces is a good fit for this pilot. Also, the demographics of upper-year students with UWP residence placements was an appropriate representation the upper-year student population.
I have a contract for upper-year residence at UWP and don't want to take part in this program. What can I do?
Thank you for letting us know. You can opt out of this program. We will remove you from our UY Program communications list.
If you would like to have a room change so that you are not located near this program, we can select an alternative room assignment with you.
I don't have a room assignment at UWP but I'm in upper-year residence for next year,
can I get involved?
Only students in UWP, living in Waterloo Court, are able to join this program. This is a pilot program at this time and we selected this community only for this pilot.
Students are welcome to request a room change to UWP if you are eager to be involved and we have spaces available.
It’s also important to note that this program is just one way in which upper-year students can be involved in Waterloo Residences. All upper-year students have access to social events, services such as the grocery shuttle, and support from student staff members.
How long is this pilot project?
12 months (1 whole academic year starting in September 2017)
What will the alumnus in residence do?
Mentors would meet regularly and informally with students and share their professional experiences, lessons learned, and reflections on how they developed life skills.
Help to develop and facilitate a workshop series where students have the opportunity to learn about life skills from subject matter experts. Workshops will allow students to interact with each other while receiving accurate information from experts.
Connect students to resources and information available on campus and in the community.
What will students gain from this opportunity?
Learning life skills that will help them throughout their undergraduate studies and when they transition off-campus (e.g. during co-op or after graduation)
Developing connections/networking with mentors, each other, and subject matter experts
Being advised by a mentor who has already “been through it” and can share real-life examples
Support to minimize transition anxiety when transitioning from their education into the labour force
Is there a cost associated with the program?
In general, no. This is a program is a pilot and is being tested as a possible inclusion in our upper year programming. It is comparable to the programming that exists in residence for first year students – it’s a value-add to the upper year residence experience. Please note that some events may have a small fee associated with them but there is no fee for the pilot program itself.
Torrie Santucci
Faryal Diwan
