Valued Members & Staff

Introduction:

As a Game Day Manager for the Department of Athletics, Sabrina oversees all Intercollegiate Athletics events on campus. She is also a fifth-year Biochemistry Co-op Student with a minor in Business at the University of Guelph.  

What do you enjoy most about coming to work?

“Everyone that comes out to the games; the students, parents, and community members that really want to support the team. It’s always a very positive environment. Any time we have an event, no matter what sport, it makes coming to work enjoyable because everyone is having a good time.”

How has working for the Department of Athletics impacted your experience at the University of Guelph?

“It introduced me to so many new people – I’ve become really close to them [coworkers and supervisors]. Some of my friends I never would have met though my program. It also allowed me to develop a different kind of relationship with people I already knew. It introduced me to new friends and changed my relationships with old friends.”

How has working for the Department of Athletics affected your well-being?

“Honestly, I couldn’t ask for a better position. My manager Brandon is so nice, and working on campus is great. The Athletics Department is always so positive. If we have something that we need – like time for school – everyone is always understanding. There are so many people you can lean on if you have questions, and everyone is so welcoming. I couldn't ask for a better experience.”  

What knowledge, skills, or attitudes has your role taught you that aid your life outside of work, and/or your career goals?

“I’ve learned so many management and organization skills.”

“I’ve worked with a lot of people in business, events, and management, and that’s what inspired me to pursue a business minor. Being around so many people and different day-to-day tasks really changed what I wanted to do. I started out just wanting to do science, and then coming to the end of my fifth year, I learned so many management skills because I […] moved up into a management position.”  

Introduction:

Joshua is a Field and Field House Operator at the University of Guelph. He is also a Mathematics Student at the University of Waterloo.

What do you enjoy most about coming to work?

“I’d say the people. All my co-workers are like friends – they’re super nice and super positive.”

How has working for the Department of Athletics impacted your experience as a University Student?

“I spent a lot of time here; I feel like I spend more time here than at Waterloo. Not only because I work here, but because I spent a lot of time here recreationally too. I go to the fitness center and play basketball here, […] it gives me a nice balance.”

How has working for the Department of Athletics affected your well-being?

I think in a positive way. It’s good to have a job that you enjoy – a job that you enjoy going to every day. Everyone at work is a good person and it’s just a positive vibe over there.”

What knowledge, skills, or attitudes has your role taught you that aid your life outside of work, and/or your career goals?

“I think problem solving is one of them. Just like any job, stuff always goes wrong when they can’t go wrong, and having to work though that is a good skill I’ve learned through working everywhere in here.” 

Lev is a Gryphon Summer Activity Camp Counsellor for the Department of Athletics at the University of Guelph. As a former camper, Gryphon Camps helped Lev come out of his shell, develop social skills, and improve his confidence. He is extremely well spoken and compassionate, and his favorite camp is Rock Climbing Camp!

What was your journey like as a Gryphon camper?

“I started off when I was eight years old, and I’ve changed a lot since – I was of more of an introverted kid. The camps helped me come out of my shell, and I learned so many things that I wouldn't have in school or with friends. I learned a lot of social skills, which I was not strong at as a kid. I was able to make friends that I would not have in other ways and was able to grow so much as an individual. I kept coming back year after year because I love it here. It brought out the best in me, and I think I always knew that.”

Why did you decide to be a Gryphon camp counsellor?

“I feel like I made this decision a long time ago. As a kid I would look at my counsellors and think, ‘that’s going to be me some day’. I felt like I wanted to give back because it’s a place that has given so much to me – It feels good to be a part of it. It’s also nice being on the other side of things because I know how it felt [to be a camper].”

What do you enjoy most about being a Gryphon camp counsellor?

“Aside from making new friends, trying new things, running games, and all that stuff, there's little moments when you're leading a group of younger kids and you can just connect. Once you’ve had a group for a week, you know them, and then they feel comfortable around you. There’s that moment when you just feel like one with your campers, and everything just becomes more awesome – it’s electric.” […] A lot of my superiors were also my camp counselors at one point, and there’s like this mutual understanding between all the staff that this is a special place, and no one wants to taint that.”

What knowledge, skills, or attitudes have Gryphon camps taught you that aid your life outside of work?

“Definitely social skills – a lot of conflict resolution, and really empathizing with other people, especially kids. Kids are very open and feel very openly, and being able to recognize their cues and signals is a skill that took time to develop. […] But it’s fun, and I like finding the joy in it.”

How has being a camper and camp counsellor at Gryphon camps affected your well-being?

“Some of my best moments were here at Gryphon camp, but I’ve made some of my worst mistakes here as well. This wasn’t something that came easy to me, and it pushed me to learn and adapt to so many things. But this place is such a positive environment. I feel seen and appreciated for the good that I do, and I know there are people there for me when I make mistakes or need help. So yeah, being here has had an amazingly positive effect on my well-being.”

Introduction:

As a Game Day Manager for the Department of Athletics, Lauren oversees all Intercollegiate Athletics events on campus. She is also a fifth-year Real Estate and Housing co-op student at the University of Guelph.

What do you enjoy most about coming to work?

“This is my favorite part-time job I’ve ever had. It's really nice being able to work with your peers. I’ve made a lot of friends with the staff, and the environment is really fun. I've always loved sports, so getting paid in a sports environment is everything I could ever want.”

How has working for the Department of Athletics impacted your experience at the University of Guelph?

“It’s definitely given me a sense of community. I’m involved in other ways on campus, but being with the Athletics Department is by far the most welcoming space with the most welcoming people. I’ve made so many friends and great connections.” 

How has working for the Department of Athletics affected your well-being?

“My job has definitely made me happier. I really enjoy coming to work and being at work. It’s made such a positive impact on my life, and it often doesn’t even feel like work.”

What knowledge, skills, or attitudes has your role taught you that aid your life outside of work, and/or your career goals?

“My position has improved my communication, leadership, and teamwork skills. Because we have so many staff and people to delegate, I learned how to communicate with people depending on their differing understanding of what each person needs.”

Introduction:

Laura is a Client Service Representative and Team Lead for the Department of Athletics. She is also a fourth-year Psychology student minoring in Family and Child Studies and Creative Writing at the University of Guelph.

What do you enjoy most about coming to work?

“We have a really good team of people. The client service team are all fun to work with and we've got a nice work environment. […] We've got great customers to talk to and to get to know, and whenever it's slow, you always have someone behind the desk with you to make good conversation. I always enjoy being here.”

How has working for the Department of Athletics impacted your experience as a University Student?

“It's helped me get to know the campus better – just from various questions we get asked that don't have anything to do with athletics, but we research it to see if we can help. It’s also helped me feel part of the community on campus. I’ll be walking around campus, and someone will say “hey, you look familiar”, and I’ll say “yeah, I see you when you check in!”. It’s a good conversation starter and you get to know a lot of faces on campus.”

How has working for the Department of Athletics affected your well-being?

“It’s nice for my health because I’m close to the gym and can go after work. Having a nice co-worker environment has also been really good for my social health – especially a year ago when things were not fully on lockdown but not quite normal. It’s a good place to talk to friendly people and get some socialization in.”

What knowledge, skills, or attitudes has your role taught you that aid your life outside of work, and/or your career goals?

“The biggest skill is being able to stay calm in stressful situations. When I’m flustered or don’t know the answer and it’s a high stress scenario or I’m with a customer who is really irritated, I’m able to remain calm on the outside (even if I feel very panicked). I’ve learned how to communicate with people that are difficult to understand – often because they’re on the phone and it’s very quiet or they've got noise in the background. Being able to communicate through barriers has been a big one. […] I always want to be working with people, so any skill I get here is going to be helpful, whether it's conflict management or just talking to people and explaining instructions.”

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.