Valued Members & Staff

What role(s) do you have in the Department of Athletics?
I am a client services representative in the Department of Athletics.

What do you enjoy most about coming to work?
What I truly enjoy the most about coming to work is being welcomed into a positive environment filled with people from all over the map with great energy in which I can easily build bonds and develop.

How has working here changed or impacted your time at the University of Guelph?
Working in the athletics department has indeed impacted and changed my time at the University of Guelph through many ways such as allowing me to expand my connections and build interpersonal ones when meeting new faces and familiar ones too.

What skills has your role taught you that you know will help in the next job you get outside of UofG?
Something that my role has taught me that I know will help me in my next job is that a smile goes a long way (even through a mask) and that first impressions go a long way. A simple simile and positive energy can truly make someone’s day. As a sports and events management student I truly understand the importance of a fresh and welcoming face!

What role(s) do you have in the Department of Athletics?

I’m a rock wall monitor.

What do you enjoy most about coming to work?

I really enjoy working in a place with such a great community of climbers. I love helping and encouraging others with their climbing goals.

How has working here changed or impacted your time at the University of Guelph?

After being off campus for so long, I didn’t feel connected in the UofG community. Taking on this role has allowed me to meet lots of other students and feel more involved at the University. 

What skills has your role taught you that you know will help in the next job you get outside of UofG?

This role has helped me develop strong communication and leadership skills from guiding and teaching new climbers.

What role(s) do you have in the department of Athletics?

I have been working as a Group Fitness Instructor in the department of Athletics since June 2019. I teach Yoga, Pilates and Zumba!

What do you enjoy most about coming to work?

I love everything about working in the department of Athletics from the energy of the students, meeting new people every semester, amazing colleagues to very supportive supervisors. This was my first job after moving to Canada and Guelph and working in the Athletics department has helped me settle in and feel at home!

How has working here impacted your wellbeing?

I have immense gratitude for the work I do - it's such a wonderful feeling helping people move their bodies safely and joyfully and learning to relax their minds! Being able to work for Athletics during the pandemic played a huge role in allowing me to stay positive and motivated. I was fortunate to teach some in-person classes as well as connect with the community via Instagram which was such a blessing!

What has your role taught you that you can take to other areas of your life?

It has helped me develop a sense of confidence and my authentic voice which has really helped me in other areas of my life. Before working in Athletics, I hadn't ever taught a class consisting of over 50+ people or been up on a stage! I've also learnt a lot about diversity. Some of my favourite teaching memories are from the Zumba classes I did with Campus Friends which fuelled my interest in fitness coaching for youth with intellectual and physical disabilities and that's an area I'm hoping to develop in over the upcoming months!

What role(s) do you have in the Department of Athletics?

I am a Fitness Centre Staff in the Fitness & Recreation department.

 What do you enjoy most about coming to work?

 I really enjoy seeing familiar faces and getting to know people- simply interacting with people following the deficit of in-person interactions was pivotal in transitioning from post-online learning as a student especially. Everyone is generally kind and agreeable, and even though we're enforcing some stricter COVID-19 policies with masks and such as of recent, members comply once they're aware of the new measures in place. I also love learning about fitness and wellness, each of which I am passionate about. Being in an environment that encompasses both is beneficial given I am exposed to and informed about opportunities in the Athletics Centre regarding fitness classes, resources, and general building programs.

 How has working here changed or impacted your time at the University of Guelph?

 I've been able to step out of my comfort zone working in such a bustling and at times, demanding environment. It's exciting to come to a place where everyone is working towards a personal goal or is simply seeking to live a healthy lifestyle. Here, I've found a community within the holistic UofG community, which offers me a perspective of what the university has to offer and how students can be involved in both staff and member positions. This juxtaposition of coming into work as an FC staff member and coming in to workout as a gym member gives me clarity on how I wish to be served in different facilities here at the university. I can then implement these same sentiments in how I perform my job. In this manner, I am able to strengthen my interpersonal skills and overall confidence as a member of the UofG community at large.

What skills has your role taught you that you know will help in the next job you get outside of UofG?

There's definitely a vast number of skills I'll be able to transfer to future positions- customer service skills, interpersonal skills, some administrative and time management skills, problem-solving, and collaborative skills. I've also learned a lot from the weight training course I took as part of the job training; from anatomy and theory to equipment use, safety, and training methods. This course was insightful for applying proper technique and exercise regiments for personal use but moreover, to aid members who approach the staff seeking support. 

What role(s) do you have in the Department of Athletics?
Group Cycle Instructor

What do you enjoy most about coming to work?
I simply love helping others enjoy fitness. I aim to inspire a life-long love of fitness and well-being.

How has working here impacted your wellbeing?
I feel like the youthful energy of the U of Guelph campus helps keep me feeling young and energized! (I’m 43 as at this article publishing date!)). I especially enjoy the all-staff meetings and the workshops that offer continuous opportunities to learn and improve, keeps me inspired and helps maintain a positive outlook.

What has your role taught you that you can take to other areas of your life?
Naturally, I’m a shy person, so getting in front of a class was not easy at first. The more I put myself out there in situations like this, the easier it becomes for me.
An aside: I’m a competitive masters, a.k.a. age-group triathlete, and I apply my own training and racing experiences to the Group Cycle classes that I lead. The picture was taken this summer following the Gravenhurst Triathlon where I achieve a personal best on this particular racecourse. Never stop improving!

What role(s) do you have in the Department of Athletics?

I worked as a part time staff with Client Services for 2 years during my Undergrad, and I'm now a full-time Afternoon Clerk at CS.

What do you enjoy most about coming to work?

I love interacting with our amazing clients and fellow staff members. Every day, we are faced with new challenges, and it has been so rewarding to face those challenges as a team. Athletics is such a positive an uplifting environment to be in, so I'm always happy to come in to work!

How has working here changed or impacted your time at the University of Guelph?

As a student who moved away for school, Athletics made me feel at home in Guelph. I've been able to meet so many people that I would not have met otherwise, and I'm grateful for the friends, and connections that I've made, and continue to make through the department. 

What skills has your role taught you that you know will help in the next job you get outside of UofG?

Throughout my time in Athletics, I have learned valuable skills in efficiency, communication, customer service, and teamwork. Getting involved in the available growth opportunities has especially helped me in strengthening my leadership and problem-solving skills. I love being part of an organization that truly cares for both their clients and their staff.

What roles do you have in the department of Athletics?

I am an intramural scorekeeper and monitor eligibility.

What do you enjoy most about coming to work?

Getting to make new connections - as a second year, it has been extremely difficult being able to meet new people due to Covid-19. So being able to form new connections in a safe environment has truly been a blessing. 

How has working here changed or impacted your time at the University of Guelph?

This job has allowed to spend more time on campus. I've become more comfortable navigating campus and becoming more involved.

What skills has your role taught you that you know you will help in the next job you get outside of UofG?

The most defining skills I learned during my role is communication, problem solving, and organization. Overall, I’ve gained a broader understanding of customer service and how important independent work is to collaborative team efforts.