Not everyone picks a single career path and sticks to it for life. Many graduates find themselves drawn to careers that, at first glance, don't directly relate to their university degree. Join our online Career Pivots panel discussion on Monday, October 23 at 12:00 noon ET to hear from UTSC alumni about how you can leverage your education and skills to alter your career trajectory.

Panelists:

Naomi Omar-Ali, Senior Program Manager, Learning & Quality, Immigration & Refugee Board of Canda (HBA 2000 UTSC)

Naomi graduated from UTSC's Arts Management program. Her career has included many shifts, and over the last twenty years she has worked in small to large scale projects in the areas of community development, workshop facilitation, health and education promotion, change management and marketing. In addition to her UTSC degree, Naomi has a diploma in Digital Media Design from George Brown College, a Masters Certificate in Project Management from York University and a Masters in Education from U of T.

Althea Fernandes, Psychotherapist & Stress Management Consultant (HBSc 2007 UTSC)

Althea graduated from the joint UTSC/Centennial College program in Paramedicine. She later went on to complete a BA degree from York University in Psychology, and a Masters in Counselling Psychology from the University of Lethbridge. She's held roles at University Health Network, Frontenac Youth Services and now runs her own clinic as a registered Psychotherapist and Mental Health Consultant for Entrepreneurs in Ontario. In her role as a psychotherapist, she has worked with adolescents, families and couples but she is especially passionate about working with indviduals struggling with academic, caregiver and work-related burnout. Drawing on her experiences working in a number of professional settings over her career and her own entrepreneurial journey and familiarity with burnout, she helps individuals and entrepreneurs learn how to take a step back, breathe and gain awareness into the things that are holding them back from enjoying the life they dream for themselves. So that, they can have more purpose, freedom and passion for their work, who they work with and what they are creating to overcome burnout and THRIVE, not just survive.

Moderator:

Jonathan Collaton, Alumni and Development Officer, UTSC and Podcast Host, Career Crossroads

Jonathan has worked at UTSC for seven years, first in Campus Life and Residence Life, and most recently in the Development and Alumni Relations Office. He's also the Producer and Host of Career Crossroads, a podcast where he speaks to people who have gone through one or many career changes and come out happier on the other side.

The UTSCAA Elevating Career Success series is supported by the UTSC Alumni Association and sponsored by TD Insurance and Manulife through the Pillar Sponsorship program.