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 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?
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 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.