about ruth

putting your best foot forward

I experienced firsthand the challenges young adults face transitioning between education and work when I began working in career services with undergraduate, graduate and PhD students at York University’s Faculty of Environmental Studies.

Passionate about solving some of the world’s biggest problems, they struggled to put their best foot forward for competitive summer and full-time job competitions. We’d work together  diligently to clarify their goals, refocus their resume and cover letter, and practice confidence before the interview. Oh the sweet taste of victory when they landed the job!

co-op education – two sides of the career puzzle

That led me to work in co-op education at the University of Toronto Scarborough, serving co-op students across all arts and sciences disciplines. My team and I supported hundreds of students annually to land co-op placements that gave them a taste of the real world and a test of their potential.

It was fascinating to visit them in a range of entry level roles – from research scientists at hospitals and pharmaceutical organizations to policy assistants in government to communication specialists and software developers in high tech. In the short 2 months they had been in their co-op placement, they had literally transformed – from nervous often uncertain student to eager, competent adults excited about their future. Rapid learners, they won the hearts of employers with their creativity and questioning attitude, proving to employers yet again the value of hiring co-op students.

There was no doubt in mind that gaining experience in one’s field of study enhanced a young person’s sense of self and future potential. And that experience in turn improved  the value of their education once they were back in the classroom.

career services – in the presence of greatness

I went on to work in career services, supporting students across a rapidly growing campus. In addition to supporting their summer job searches and search for work after graduation, I spent countless hours with students seeking a way out of their current education program or into a different one. Or they were planning their next big education move – to graduate or professional studies where the competition is intense and the application demands onerous.

Whether supporting their career planning, their application to graduate school, their job search, or their interview prep, I often found myself saying “I feel like I’m in the presence of greatness.” So much raw potential in every student I met. It was always a privilege to hear their career stories and help them put their best foot forward.