Briefly, tell us about your job. What do you find most rewarding? What are your greatest challenges within this profession?

I joined Canada’s Foreign Service in 1996 as a rotational employee, and have worked in Ottawa as well as having done postings to Japan, China, and the Philippines. I am currently Canada’s consul general in Istanbul, Turkey.

The reason I am in this line of work, and equally what I find most interesting in this job, is that I find every day to be different than the last. As Canada’s representative abroad, I assume a wide diversity of roles and challenges which change from one day to the next. I find this exhilarating and motivating and I am motivated to experience what the next day will bring.

At the same time, the most challenging dimension is trying to provide a sense of normalcy as we raise a family overseas. My wife Marnie is also a foreign service officer, and we have three children (Mica, Noa and Zane) who have spent the majority of their lives living abroad in Turkey, the Philippines, China and Japan. Adapting to new cultures, customs and foreign languages every few years is a challenge for all of us, and the importance of ensuring that our kids are grounded with Canadian values and understand Canadian culture is foremost. Our kids don’t really identify with any one location but the main benefit is that they are coming out of this with a perspective that is global.

While you were completing your degree, what experiences and activities helped bring you to your career decision or helped you succeed in your occupation?

In 1980, I participated in a student exchange program while attending high school in Selkirk. Our teacher,  Mrs. Drain led our group of teenagers to the then Soviet Union, and also Ukraine and Finland and this early exposure to foreign cultures truly piqued my interest in foreign cultures and the idea of travelling or working internationally.

Years later during my graduate studies in the department of city planning, there was a chance to spend one semester of intergraduate studies at a University in Chongqing, China. I was fortunate to have been selected as a member of the nine U of M representatives, and it affirmed for me, that I wanted to seek a career which could take me to foreign lands and continue to offer me unique learning experiences while at work.

Describe your career planning journey. Please include any highlights, bumps or roadblocks.

I don’t know if one ever has a planned career journey these days. I was raised in East Selkirk working at my parents’ family-owned grocery store and could have been very happy in that line of business. But instead, after high school I spent one year working at the Selkirk steel mill, where my brother still works. During that year I decided to enroll at the U of M. After completing a bachelor of science with a specialization in geology, I continued at the U of M and completed a master of city planning degree with the intention of perhaps gaining employment with a municipality. However, after graduation, rather than immediately pursuing work in the field I went abroad to work and landed in Japan. I don’t think I had a career path mapped out, but I was drawn once more to the idea of working overseas in a foreign culture.

What inspired you to be a career mentor?

As a high school graduate, I immediately entered the workforce, but I wasn’t ready for it nor did I know what I really wanted to do. I simply pursued this path because that was what most of my friends from high school were doing. My parents had not attended university so I really did not have anyone to guide me in this, but I knew I wanted something more. I enrolled at university in order to explore that avenue and then bounced from one academic experience to another without ever really finding what I could be passionate about. So to be a career mentor and have the opportunity to provide a new graduate with some informed advice and direction of this career is time well spent.

What advice do you have for students who are interested in following in your footsteps?

I often get enquiries on this type of career choice and I am always happy to offer some advice. The first response I offer is that this life is not for everyone. Today’s global climate, particularly on the security front, have made this career more challenging, as local security concerns when deciding to live abroad are often top of mind.

I also counsel U of M students that a life in the Foreign Service is no longer their only option to garnering international work exposure. They shouldn’t limit themselves to considering only the department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD). While there is a very robust recruitment process, graduates can also gain international experience through employment exchanges, NGOs or Canadian companies that have an overseas presence or partner. These options may also offer the experience they seek, either as a career or to help burnish their application if their end goal is to become a member of the Foreign Service.

By example, my wife and I went and taught in the faculty of architecture at a Chinese university in 1994-95. Upon return to Canada I wrote the Foreign Service exam (for the 4^th time) and I believe that it was this latest experience with a combination of other international work experience and some ability in foreign languages that brought me success in the recruitment process of the Foreign Service.

For anyone interested in joining the Foreign Service, I suggest getting involved in studying complex foreign languages at an early stage, gaining a command of both of Canada’s official languages, and obtaining international work experience through whatever means possible (volunteer work; development agencies; teaching English; working at a global NGO; through a student exchange program, etc.). These are some of the experiences and abilities that the Foreign Service traditionally looks for in its new recruits.

What career advice do you have/or university students?

Moving away from Foreign Service advice specifically, I would suggest graduates get out there and forge a career in whichever direction interests them. However, they shouldn’t forget to look back at where it all started, as there will be other U of M students following in their footsteps. So begin a relationship early on in your career with your school, and explore the variety of ways that you can contribute back to the school and enrich the experience of its current students. Use your unique experience and the knowledge you have gained since graduation to enhance the education of those coming after you.

To view more Career Mentor profiles,  please visit the CMP website.

Briefly, tell us about your job. What do you find most rewarding? What are your greatest challenges within this profession?

I’ve always been passionate about what I do as an architect. I get to work with creative people every day on interesting projects that have impact on the daily lives of the people who come into contact with them. I get to physically shape our city and hopefully contribute in a positive way to the quality of life of all Winnipeggers and leave a legacy of thoughtful and well-designed buildings and places that future generations will enjoy and maybe think about.

There are many challenges to the profession, but I believe that our greatest challenge is to meet our responsibilities to the environment. Buildings are the greatest consumers of natural resources and the greatest contributors to green-house gas emissions. Architects must embrace sustainable design as the new paradigm.

While you were completing your degree, what experiences and activities helped bring you to your career decision or helped you succeed in your occupation?

Two things stand out in my mind. The first was the quality of the teaching staff in the faculty at that time. It was an interesting mix of architects, artists and academics, who each had their own unique perspectives on the profession and what constituted a well- rounded education for a burgeoning young mind interested in becoming an architect. They also instilled in me a strong work ethic and fear, which have served me well to this day. The second thing was the job experience that I was able to gain in the summers while going to school. Working in an architect’s office and being exposed to what the job entailed really cemented for me that this is what I wanted to do.

Describe your career planning journey. Please include any highlights, bumps or roadblocks.

Upon graduating I was fortunate to land a job with a small, local architectural practice in the height of a recession. I was quickly exposed to all aspects of the delivery of a project that one doesn’t always get in a larger firm as a recent graduate. An opportunity then came forward to join LM Architectural Group, where I’ve spent the remainder of my career. I was mentored by Mel Michener, a principal in the firm, who really helped me to sharpen my creative and critical thinking skills as a design architect. Firms evolve and opportunities arose over the years. That hard work ethic and fear that I mentioned, allowed me to make the most of those opportunities. I was fortunate to become a partner at the age of 39, which is relatively young for an architect.

What inspired you to be a Career Mentor?

I have been fortunate in my life to have been the benefactor of the generosity of other mentors, who for whatever reason, decided to help me. There have been several and I am grateful to them all. I know that I would not be where I am today without their assistance. This is just my way of thanking them and of passing on the gift that they gave to me.

What advice do you have for students who are interested in following in your footsteps?

Know yourself and what brings you joy and capitalizes on your inherent skills and abilities. There are many avenues to a successful career as an architect. Not everyone has the ability or inclination to be a design architect, which tends to be the focus while you’re in school, but there are so many equally important skills that an office requires to be successful.

What career advice do you have for university students?

Find something that you enjoy and are passionate about and then work hard at it. When I was starting my career, it was nothing for me to work 60-70 hour weeks. I did it for years and in those days there was no overtime pay. I always looked at it as an investment in myself. Yes I was working stupid hours, but I enjoyed what I was doing and I was being given opportunities to work on really interesting and exciting projects. It wasn’t work to me. I was also quickly developing and maturing as a person and as an architect. It’s akin to what an intern in the medical profession goes through; this insanely focused and comprehensive experience to gain knowledge and experience, so that you can practice competently when you come out the other end. It’s why I believe that I achieved the success that I did.

Stay tuned for more career mentor profiles! From September 25 to November 2 the Career Mentor Program will be profiling 25 dedicated and wonderful mentors from across several sectors. To view more career mentor profiles and learn about the anniversary event on November 2, 2015, please visit the CMP 25th Anniversary website.

Briefly, tell us about your job. What do you find most rewarding? What are your greatest challenges within this profession?

I am a family physician at University Health Service at the University of Manitoba. I see patients of all ages, from all over Canada and the world, for a variety of health concerns. I really feel it is a privilege to treat people when they may be at their most vulnerable and to share in their health care journey. I really enjoy helping people improve their health, enabling them to pursue their future goals. There are several challenges in this profession. It is a very fast paced job, requiring one to think quickly much of the time. Health information is always changing and it is challenging to keep up with the changes. It can be an emotionally draining job as you treat and support people through very serious or even terminal health conditions.

While you were completing your degree, what experiences and activities helped bring you to your career decision or helped you succeed in your occupation?

I became a peer advisor during my third year of university. I feel that this experience provided me with valuable skills which allowed me to succeed in my medical studies. It taught me how communicate more effectively with people and how to approach people who may be distraught or dealing with serious issues. I was given the opportunity to present to groups of my peers, which was invaluable to my future success. It helped me give me more confidence in my abilities which sustained me through medical school and beyond.

Describe your career planning journey. Please include any highlights, bumps or roadblocks.

I knew that I wanted to be a doctor at a young age. Once I entered university, I was very directed toward applying to the Faculty of Medicine. The biggest hurdle I faced occurred when I entered residency. I realized shortly after starting residency that it was not a good fit. I approached my program director, and she and others were very helpful in allowing me to choose another career path. I feel very fortunate to have had such support from my faculty.

What inspired you to be a Career Mentor?

As a peer advisor, I had worked with what is now called Career Services and saw what a difference career mentors could make. I also felt that I would like to share what I had learned and continued to learn on my journey through medicine. I also wanted to give back to the university community who had supported me throughout my degrees. As a result, I jumped at the chance to become a career mentor.

What advice do you have for students who are interested in following in your footsteps?

Medicine can be a difficult and challenging career that requires a lot of sacrifice not only from the physician but from the individual’s family, friends and loved ones as well. You have to have a passion for medicine, a drive to continue learning, ongoing curiosity, an ability to adapt to constant change, a love of helping others, a willingness to work with other disciplines and a deep seated respect for those you treat.

What career advice do you have for university students?

In general, I would advise students to find a career that they can be passionate about. With every career, there are ups and downs and you need your passion to sustain you during the down times

Stay tuned for more career mentor profiles! From September 25 to November 2 the Career Mentor Program will be profiling 25 dedicated and wonderful mentors from across several sectors. To view more career mentor profiles and learn about the anniversary event on November 2, 2015, please visit the CMP 25th Anniversary website.

Briefly, tell us about your job. What do you find most rewarding? What are your greatest challenges within this profession?

I work for Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development as a landscape resource specialist. I am responsible for providing leadership in emerging provincial resource management issues in the area of air, soil, water and biodiversity, and providing technical and scientific support and recommendations for environmental policy options. With this as a focus, I work with others to develop and implement initiatives and programs, and investigate innovative tools that support environmental sustainability of Manitoba’s agricultural landscapes.

While you were completing your degree, what experiences and activities helped bring you to your career decision or helped you succeed in your occupation?

During the final year of my undergraduate degree I was considered pursuing my M.Sc., but had not been involved in research before and wanted to gain some experience to confirm that I was on the right track. I had a class with a professor whose focus area aligned with my interests and I coordinated with her to secure funding for a summer position working in this area. This research opportunity, as well as my M.Sc. research and overall degree, put me in a position to network with those in the industry and learn vital transferable skills that I can take to any position.

Describe your career planning journey. Please include any highlights, bumps or roadblocks.

I originally planned to become a veterinarian and enrolled in the pre-veterinary program through the Faculty of Agriculture. I found the faculty to be welcoming, the classes small and the atmosphere friendly in a family-like way, all of which appealed to me. As my studies proceeded I began to have second thoughts about my career path. I decided to continue with my degree through the department of animal science, while using my electives to take courses in other departments to broaden my understanding of agriculture and the environment. Upon completion of my degree I had the opportunity to work with a wonderful team of researchers to complete my M.Sc., combining both agriculture and its influence on the environment. I continued to work for my advisor as a research assistant, which allowed for additional experience and networking. A year after graduating I was hired for my current position with the provincial government.

What inspired you to be a career mentor?

Career Services originally contacted me, indicating there was a student interested in discussing career potential in the field of agriculture. It was enjoyable to sit down to discuss the diversity of potential career options and answer her questions about the industry. I have since welcomed the opportunity to interact with other students who are curious about a career in agrology.

What advice do you have for students who are interested in following in your footsteps?

I would suggest that students find summer employment within the industry, and to change employers each summer to diversify the experience gained. The work will be challenging, but the experience and networking will complement their education in a way that classes alone cannot. Students should also apply for summer jobs early (most jobs are posted in November) and work hard – those summer field seasons are short!

What career advice do you have for university students?

I would suggest that university students really diversify their courses in the first couple of years to test the waters and see what they have a passion for. And keep an open mind! So many people have this set idea of what they plan do career-wise as they enter university, and yet often their paths change completely. It is okay to pause, re-evaluate and carry on in a new direction.

Stay tuned for more career mentor profiles! From September 25 to November 2 the Career Mentor Program will be profiling 25 dedicated and wonderful mentors from across several sectors. To view more career mentor profiles and learn about the anniversary event on November 2, 2015, please visit the CMP 25th Anniversary website.

Briefly, tell us about your job. What do you find most rewarding? What are your greatest challenges within this profession?

I am a zoologist working for the Manitoba government in the Biodiversity, Habitat and Endangered Species section of the Wildlife and Fisheries branch. My activities focus on rare species and species at risk and include bio-inventory, population monitoring, conservation status assessment, recovery/management planning, and policy and legislation development.

I find working to preserve Manitoba’s biodiversity for future generations personally rewarding and I particularly enjoy being part of a group of people that bring a high level of passion and dedication to their work.

One of the greatest challenges is to identify potential funding partners and build effective cooperative partnerships for the management or recovery of species.

While you were completing your degree, what experiences and activities helped bring you to your career decision or helped you succeed in your occupation?

My first career oriented summer job with the Canadian Wildlife Service was important in affirming my decision to become a biologist. Interacting with fellow students at university gave me an overview of the many different disciplines within the field of biology, and the opportunities and challenges within each one. That knowledge was helpful in choosing a discipline to pursue. Developing relationships with my professors in my senior year as an undergraduate and being mentored by one professor in particular were critically important in establishing my career path.

Describe your career planning journey. Please include any highlights, bumps or roadblocks.

I completed a BSc(Hons) in zoology and an MSc in animal nutrition and physiology at the University of Manitoba and started a PhD program in wildlife biology at the University of Alberta. I left my PhD program for an administrative position with the Manitoba government in the Department of Natural Resources. I worked in two other positions with government before finally moving into my current position focused on rare and endangered species. Although I was not working as a biologist for the first three years after leaving university, all of the positions I held provided an incredible learning experience in government structure and function, and natural resource management including working with First Nations, conducting public consultations and building effective partnerships.

What inspired you to be a career mentor?

I have benefited from mentoring at several points in my career, both as a student and in the workplace. As someone who has received help in achieving my career goals I would like to give something back and help others achieve their goals. I truly enjoy what I do for a living and I try to convey that enthusiasm to students who have yet to decide on a career path.

Mentoring also allows me to stay connected with the university, and to stay in touch with students and student culture. It’s gratifying to see the young people I have mentored find success in their studies and careers, particularly when that includes a position in a government agency.

What advice do you have for students who are interested in following in your footsteps?

Life experience and practical skills are often as important as coursework and good grades for a career in wildlife biology. Skills in camping, canoeing, operating a motorboat or ATV, using a chainsaw, first aid, and handling a firearm, are often required for fieldwork. Some of these skills can be learned in workshops that provide a certificate of achievement or lead to a government license. Take the time while still a student to learn these skills.

Species identification is critically important to a biologist and it isn’t usually taught in the classroom, so begin learning to identify the common birds, mammals, fish, plants and insects in your area and keep working at it until you feel confident in your identification skills. During the interview for my first career oriented summer job, I was asked to identify 50 bird specimens.

What career advice do you have for university students?

Read! Set aside half an hour every day to read material related in the broadest sense to your chosen career. This should be in addition to any reading required for school or your current position. After 10 years you will have over 1800 hours of additional study and a wealth of applicable information at your fingertips to use in your work or to impress potential employers. I find reading every morning over coffee to be enjoyable as well as informative.

Network! Join organizations related to your career and attend events to meet people. Foster genuine relationships by being interested and sincere. Make networking a life-long process and never forget to say thank you when someone has helped you.

Be open to new experiences and opportunities. Be a perpetual student. Important skills can be learned in unexpected ways by taking advantage of opportunities placed before you. Keep building your skills and your resume, and your “perfect” job should eventually be obtainable.

Stay tuned for more career mentor profiles! From September 25 to November 2 the Career Mentor Program will be profiling 25 dedicated and wonderful mentors from across several sectors. To view more career mentor profiles and learn about the anniversary event on November 2, 2015, please visit the CMP 25th Anniversary website.

Briefly, tell us about your job. What do you find most rewarding? What are your greatest challenges within this profession?

As a  speech-language pathologist, my job involves assessment and treatment of children with speech and language difficulties. Knowing that I can help children develop their speech and assist them to express themselves and have a successful future is very rewarding. There are so many more children and adults that need the service than there are professionals and positions available.

While you were completing your degree, what experiences and activities helped bring you to your career decision or helped you succeed in your occupation?

During my time at University of Manitoba in psychology, I came to know that there was a field where children could be helped to learn to speak and be successful. During my degree at the Minot State University (there is no graduate program at the U of M), I was able to take part  in specialized medical clinics and in the university clinic which gave me the exposure to working with a variety of people whose speech was affected. Through the specialty of our field, I saw the progress individuals made and the impact for them when they were understood was rewarding. Having clinical practicums at different work sites before graduation provided a phenomenal base to my career as a speech-language pathologist.

Describe your career planning journey. Please include any highlights, bumps or roadblocks.
I have been in the field for 36 years. I initially received a government grant to assist with some of my education as there was no program in Manitoba. I worked in the rural communities of Manitoba where I learned a lot about services in the school to multicultural populations. The vast area I was assigned to required many hours of travel, and this provided a roadblock to reach all of the children that required services. Moving into a medical experience at the Health Sciences Centre broadened my scope of practice in working with children with special medical needs who had communication difficulties. My decision to work with children in schools in the Pembina Trails School Division has allowed me to follow children in the learning environment and to work with educators in enabling the students to be successful learners and communicators. I am currently also in private practice and the variety of settings has provided me with another opportunity to see children succeed. The work makes for a very exciting future in this field. “Communication is essential to our well-being and future.”

What inspired you to be a career mentor?

I was so fortunate to have excellent clinical mentors as I began my career which I have loved, so I felt that if there was a way to inspire other students to enter a rewarding and challenging field I would. The students that I have met are well prepared with specific questions which lend to their understanding of the scope of the field. Many students ask if they can come and observe or volunteer if they are very interested in pursuing the field.

What advice do you have for students who are interested in following in your footsteps?

I suggest that the first place to begin is finding out what exactly is involved in the course work in preparation for the field . Take the opportunity to talk to professionals who work in the field. Observation of professionals in the field in a variety of settings will give you a sense of what is involved in the job and the different types of people they work with. This is an important step in deciding if the field is for you. Find out from the person you observe where they trained and why?

What career advice do you have for university students?

Apply to as many universities as you can. The entrance requirements are stringent so contact the universities directly to inquire about these requirements in order to keep your acceptance options open. Contact the National Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Association (SAC) to inquire about Canadian programs. Also contact the College in Manitoba to inquire about requirements for practice (CASLPM) in the province upon graduation and entering the workforce. Each province is regulated and has requirements for practice.

Further information is available on maureenpenko.com

Stay tuned for more career mentor profiles! From September 25 to November 2 the Career Mentor Program will be profiling 25 dedicated and wonderful mentors from across several sectors. To view more career mentor profiles and learn about the anniversary event on November 2, 2015, please visit the CMP 25th Anniversary website.

Briefly, tell us about your job. What do you find most rewarding? What are your greatest challenges within this profession?

I am a respiratory therapist at Concordia Hospital. My job involves assessing patients with respiratory problems, teaching them to manage their chronic respiratory problems and treating patients with respiratory problems. One of the other parts of my job is as a member of the code blue team that responds to patients experiencing cardiac or respiratory arrest. These patients usually require admission to the intensive care unit where I put them on a breathing machine called a ventilator.

Currently I work as a clinical specialist. This position requires me to provide support to staff with difficult to manage patients and education on new equipment. I am also required to keep up to date on the latest philosophy of respiratory treatment. There two things that I find most rewarding; 1) reading an article and sharing the information with the rest of the staff, and that helps to treat a difficult to manage patient 2) helping students in the department of respiratory therapy connect theory with clinical practice.

The greatest challenges with my profession is we are a forgotten part of the health care team, and keeping pace with the speed of new technology.

While you were completing your degree, what experiences and activities helped bring you to your career decision or helped you succeed in your occupation?

While at the University of Manitoba, I competed in track and field. This gave me the opportunity to travel Canada and meet people from other faculties and other universities in Canada. One of the most important things I learned from competing in track and field are work hard, perseverance during tough times and discipline.

Describe your career planning journey. Please include any highlights, bumps or roadblocks.

When I graduated from university there were no jobs. So I went back to school and studied respiratory therapy. I graduated again and there were still no jobs. So I sold medical equipment for seven years. I then went back into the hospital and worked my way to being a clinical specialist. My years in sales helps me today with the people skills needed to navigate dealing with the rest of the respiratory therapy staff, patients and other members of the health care team.

What inspired you to be a career mentor?

I was inspired to be a career mentor because I met a physician who took some time in the middle of her office day to convince me why I could become a medical doctor. I was amazed she took the time to have this discussion with me and even though I did not pursue medicine I never forgot the encouragement she gave me.

What advice do you have for students who are interested in following in your footsteps?

Develop your skills to work in a team and be technologically inclined.

What career advice do you have for university students?

I would encourage students to get involved in university life, look for opportunities to develop your abilities to deal with the public, work hard in school and make connections with other students from other faculties.

Stay tuned for more career mentor profiles! From September 25 to November 2 the Career Mentor Program will be profiling 25 dedicated and wonderful mentors from across several sectors. To view more career mentor profiles and learn about the anniversary event on November 2, 2015, please visit the CMP 25th Anniversary website.

Briefly, tell us about your job. What do you find most rewarding? What are your greatest challenges within this profession?

Working as a product analyst in the IT industry, I am responsible for analyzing potential new features and customer feedback, staying up to date on industry trends and defining product requirements. The most rewarding is getting to see the final product working. The greatest challenge is keeping up with ever changing technologies.

While you were completing your degree, what experiences and activities helped bring you to your career decision or helped you succeed in your occupation?

Enrolling in the computer science co-op program had significant impact on my career decisions. It allowed me to explore different types of job opportunities and make industry contacts while completing my degree. Through my three work terms I was able to gain real world experience that can’t be taught in a classroom and discover what types of tasks were the most rewarding for me. When I graduated I already had a job lined up.

Describe your career planning journey. Please include any highlights, bumps or roadblocks.

While I was in school I wasn’t sure what area I wanted to specialize in. As I went through my three co-op terms I realized I really enjoyed analysis work and was much too social to spend eight hours a day writing code. When I graduated, I opted for a job that would allow me to grow those skills.

What inspired you to be a Career Mentor?

I have been very fortunate to have many people in my life act as mentors and provide support and guidance to me through my career. I wanted to be able to provide that same type of support for others.

What advice do you have for students who are interested in following in your footsteps?

Technology has become part of every industry. Having additional business education can be very helpful if you want to work in an IT analyst or management role. I’ve had people ask me “I don’t write code in my spare time, can I still go into computer science?” Yes, I had never programmed before I went to university.

What career advice do you have for university students?

Talk to people in the industry to find out specific details about any career types you are interested in. Hearing first hand details about the ins and outs of that type of career and the options and opportunities can be very eye opening early on.

Stay tuned for more career mentor profiles! From September 25 to November 2 the Career Mentor Program will be profiling 25 dedicated and wonderful mentors from across several sectors. To view more career mentor profiles and learn about the anniversary event on November 2, 2015, please visit the CMP 25th Anniversary website.

Briefly, tell us about your job. What do you find most rewarding? What are your greatest challenges within this profession?

I am a medical social worker in oncology. I work at Health Sciences Centre, which is an acute care hospital. I also work at CancerCare Manitoba, which is an out-patient clinic. I am a member of the health care team and provide psychosocial intervention to patients and families who are seen in these facilities.

My work is extremely rewarding. I am able to assist patients and families in navigating our very complex health care system. I am also able to follow patients throughout their illness trajectory whether they are in hospital or in the community. I assist families in coping when they are abruptly faced with life limiting diseases.

My greatest challenges are associated with the limited resources available to support patients and families.

While you were completing your degree, what experiences and activities helped bring you to your career decision or helped you succeed in your occupation?

I believe that taking advantage of the practicum experiences assisted in solidifying for me what I want to further explore in social work. I chose volunteer opportunities that complemented my practicum experience. This helped in broadening my perspective.

I have been very fortunate to have been supported by supervisors who encouraged and promoted on-going professional development. I learned earlier in my career that there are many learning opportunities in the health care setting and I took advantage of these every chance I had. This not only helped in my learning about being a stronger clinician but it also served to enhance my understanding of how the system works, and about the contributions of all members of the health care team.

Describe your career planning journey. Please include any highlights, bumps or roadblocks.

When I first started my career I did not have a plan. I knew that I wanted to work with women and I landed a job in gynecology and gyne-oncology. I took every opportunity to attend every round, presentation, conference and seminar that was related to my specific service areas. I was able to hone and develop my clinical and personal skills as a result. I believe that this training ground was necessary for me to realize that I wanted to work with oncology patients exclusively. When opportunities arose in Brain Tumour Clinic at CancerCare and in the Bone Marrow Transplant Program at CancerCare Manitoba and Health Sciences Centre, I was able to move into those service areas.

What inspired you to be a career mentor?

My interest in being a career mentor rose from my own experience of not having mentorship. I learned throughout my career of how important it is to have a mentor to learn from as I had to work hard at finding individuals whose practice I respected and who were interested in sharing their knowledge. I have always felt very strongly that my contribution in the health care setting and on the various health care teams was critical for ensuring that patient and family focused care was and is a priority. I have always been eager to share that with anyone who will listen. The Career Mentor program was an ideal opportunity to share my knowledge and experience with individuals who are considering a career in the field of social work.

What advice do you have for students who are interested in following in your footsteps?

Go for your dream! Find mentors; different people will provide you with different perspectives. Try to remain open to alternative arguments, while having confidence in your own perspective. Share what you know with others, they will appreciate this.

What career advice do you have for university students?

Interview different professionals so you can have the most informed base for your own decision making. Knowledge is power. The Career Mentor Program is an excellent source for acquiring knowledge.

Stay tuned for more career mentor profiles! From September 25 to November 2 the Career Mentor Program will be profiling 25 dedicated and wonderful mentors from across several sectors. To view more career mentor profiles and learn about the anniversary event on November 2, 2015, please visit the CMP 25th Anniversary website.

Briefly, tell us about your job. What do you find most rewarding? What are your greatest challenges within this profession?

I’m a financial planner/investment advisor. I help people make informed financial decisions in order to reach their goals. Much of my time is doing retirement planning which will show a client what income level they can expect and what they can do to ensure they will have enough to have a happy retirement.

I find it very rewarding when I can provide advice to clients that help them make better financial decisions. Most people don’t enjoy this area as they find it quite complicated and confusing – so I like it when I can make things much simpler in their lives.

As for a challenge, there is a large amount of pressure from the industry in order to grow your book of business.

While you were completing your degree, what experiences and activities helped bring you to your career decision or helped you succeed in your occupation?

I went through university not knowing exactly what I wanted to do in the end. I had a number of jobs throughout my schooling and I found that each one offered experiences that helped shape who I am today. If someone has an idea of what they might want to do upon graduation, I urge them to try and find employment or volunteer work in that area to help them learn about the industry and see if it is truly something they would like to do for a living.

Describe your career planning journey. Please include any highlights, bumps or roadblocks.

I was an employment counsellor for a number of years before getting into the financial planning world. When I made the switch I did find it more difficult than I thought to obtain employment doing exactly what I wanted to do. I took a role that wasn’t exactly my calling – but it helped me get to where I am today and sometimes these types of moves have to be made in order to reach your goal.

What inspired you to be a Career Mentor?

When I was going through university I utilized the program myself. I found it extremely beneficial and now I enjoy meeting students who were in my same position many years ago and helping them know more about what I do so they can make the best decision for their own career paths.

What advice do you have for students who are interested in following in your footsteps?

Meet with as many people as possible who do what you want to do. There usually isn’t one path to get to where you want to go. You can learn from many different people as we all have our own experiences, preferences and views that make us who we are today.

What career advice do you have for university students?

Constantly be learning… Taking courses in your area, volunteering, meeting people… everything helps you know more about your chosen career path and more about yourself so that you can make the best choice for you.

Stay tuned for more career mentor profiles! From September 25 to November 2 the Career Mentor Program will be profiling 25 dedicated and wonderful mentors from across several sectors. To view more career mentor profiles and learn about the anniversary event on November 2, 2015, please visit the CMP 25th Anniversary website.