Part 2: Cool TMU student jobs

Describe this job for us…

The senior orientation and special projects lead is a five-month junior management role where I’m responsible for providing strategic direction and leadership to the Orientation Team and setting project goals and timelines alongside the orientation and campus events facilitator. 

Along with that, I help receive, organize, and manage space requests and bookings, as well as facility management needs for all campus partners and faculties. Overall, I offer a helping hand to the O-Team and ensure everything is running smoothly alongside the Student Life and Learning Support staff.

What makes this job “cool” ? 

No day is the same! One day we are deep in event planning mode, another day we are holding a karaoke event and then suddenly we are getting trained on how to work our snow cone machine. I love that every day I come into the office, there’s a new adventure or achievement to unlock.

What skills or experience are you gaining that could help in your future career?

This job has deepened my love for student affairs and campus engagement. I’ve always known that I wanted to help students. Originally, I wanted to be a teacher, hence why I entered TMU’s English Program. However, by the end of my undergrad and because of this job, I know that my passion lies in supporting students outside the classroom. I want to help students navigate their university experience and succeed in their own unique ways, rather than teaching them about Romeo & Juliet.

Did your studies or experience at TMU help you land this position? If so, please describe.

My student leadership experiences, especially my time at the Society of Arts, Social Science, and Humanities (SASSH) (external link)  helped me land this position! I learned a lot of transferable skills in my role as president, like organizing large-scale events, leading a team of 20 student leaders, working with campus partners and quick problem-solving when things don’t go as planned.

What’s the most valuable aspect of this job/experience for you?

The most valuable aspect of this job is seeing the direct impact we have on students. Whether it’s helping a first-year feel welcomed during orientation or creating a memorable event that brings the community together, knowing that my work positively affects others is incredibly rewarding! I know how anxious I felt coming into TMU and I really looked up to all the leaders and staff members who made it possible, so it feels very full circle to do the same for the incoming folks.

What has been the best day or moment in this job for you so far, and why?

O-Week is always an amazing experience! Some unforgettable highlights include co-hosting Invocation, TMU’s annual orientation kickoff event, and organizing the Street Festival. This year, we expanded beyond Gould Street, taking over Nelson Mandela Walk and Victoria Street, with over 65 Campus Services and Student Groups participating.

What do you love most about it overall?

What I love most is the sense of community and connection. Orientation is all about collaborating with different people and entities on campus that you would have never talked to before. Bridging that gap and finding ways to support one another and our students makes a huge difference. 

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Check out Part 1 of our cool jobs series