The University of Guelph-Humber recently welcomed its field partners to campus for Standing Ovation, the annual event celebrating the partnerships that help more than 1,600 UofGH students gain invaluable real-world experience every year.
With a tasty breakfast buffet and an espresso station turning out gourmet coffees, representatives from partner companies including York Regional Police, Humber River Hospital, Region of Peel, the UHN Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and Royal LePage Maximum Realty were among those who came out to the event.
“We’re so glad to welcome you to our home. This morning’s event is a celebration of you and the mentoring you provide our students,” said Susan Thomas, Manager of Career & Placement Services at the University of Guelph-Humber, in her welcoming remarks.
“At Guelph-Humber, we believe the world is a true classroom. Learning takes place here in our building but it also happens through experience. When our students get accepted to graduate school or find their first full-time job, you have contributed to their success.
“So please get to know our Guelph-Humber community better because you may not have realized it before today, but you are an important part of it.”
During the event, guests mingled, toured the campus and explored the first-floor Art Gallery where students were on hand to provide more information on UofGH programs. Other organizations who attended included the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Yellow Brick House, Safehaven, Toronto Police Services, Kinder Buddies Childcare and Development Centre, College of Kinesiologists of Ontario, City of Brampton Animal Services, Ability Online, and the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel.
Those guests had the opportunity to hear directly from UofGH students how their field placements carried a lasting influence.
Bianca Naje, a recent alumna from UofGH’s Media Studies program, spoke about how she attained her dream internship at MLSE with help and support from UofGH’s dedicated team of Career & Placement Services co-ordinators.
She had always wanted to work as a designer in the sports industry. Since graduating, Naje has stayed with MLSE as Toronto FC’s Digital Producer.
“Thank you to our partners for helping us do something we love,” she said. “We couldn’t have done it without you.”
Fourth-year Kinesiology student Malik Carby-Corbett also spoke about finding the perfect fit at his field placement. As a young sports fan, he always wondered about the trainers who helped injured athletes. He decided that was what he wanted to do.
His first placement was at Competitive Edge before moving onto fourth year, when he landed a placement with SportSide Medical Services.
“I learned about rehab, how to design programs, and most importantly the human body,” he said. “It allowed me to excel in class. I brought things from my placement back to the classroom and things became a lot more relatable.”
Having just completed his final year at UofGH, Carby-Corbett has turned the placement into a job. This summer, he’ll be handling athletic care for Rugby Ontario.
“This experience led to the exact place I wanted to be,” he said. “I’m really happy, and that’s based on the work that you (field partners) do. There are thousands of students throughout the years who have stories similar to mine.”
Learn more about Placement Services at the University of Guelph-Humber.
Learn more about Career Services at the University of Guelph-Humber.
