What do students, mentors and past members say about being part of GSEP?
Where Are They Now?
We have reconnected with former participants of the Graduate Student Engagement Program. We wanted to know how their career journey unfolded, where they went after completing graduate school, and the role the engagement program played in their professional lives.
In the career field, we are likely familiar with the notion of planned happenstance; that one ought to be attuned to chanced opportunities and to act on those opportunities. Receiving the GSEP Award was certainly a sign confirming I was moving toward a positive direction as an aspiring academic and researcher in career development! I am grateful to the GSEP and to CERIC for facilitating numerous continual opportunities to connect with people, resources and knowledge.Candy Ho
EdD Candidate in Post-Secondary Educational Leadership, Simon Fraser University
As a newcomer to Canada I was seeking to establish a new professional home. Finding GSEP became very much part of that process. Through GSEP I began an incredibly beneficial relationship with CERIC that continues to support my scholarly and professional development. GSEP is a wonderful initiative that really helped me at a time when I most needed it!Lorraine Godden
PhD, FHEA, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Faculty of Education, Queen’s University
I really enjoyed participating in the GSEP program. It was a wonderful opportunity to have breakfast with other graduate students from across Canada and learn about their research. I also enjoyed hearing words of wisdom from Norm Amundson at the breakfast. I very much value the opportunity I was given through the GSEP program to attend Cannexus as a student. I enjoyed attending the various sessions and learning from practitioners from across Canada. I now work as a counsellor at Athabasca University and I still refer to the great resources I gathered at Cannexus.Connie Covey
EdD, Workplace and Adult Learning, University of Calgary
The GSEP has been a wonderful introduction to a welcoming and diverse community of career development practitioners. The GSEP program’s opportunities to meet professionals at Cannexus as well as participation on CERIC’s Marketing Committee have been a tremendous learning experience that will serve me long into the future.Trevor Lehmann
BEd, MEd Candidate in Counselling Psychology, University of Manitoba
Joining GSEP has provided me a wonderful opportunity to share my research at Cannexus and connect with valuable people and resources in the career development community. There was such a synergy at CERIC between passionate people coming together from various regions of Canada with a shared goal of advancing knowledge and practices in the career field, and it helped me grow in my ongoing career development journey as well.Heejin Kim
BA, MA Student, Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies, University of Victoria
Being a part of GSEP was an incredible experience. I expanded my network of career development researchers and practitioners, learned about the current trends in career development in Canada, and found a chance to present my work at Cannexus. As a graduate student, I appreciate CERIC’s support in my professional development.Duygu Biricik Gulseren
PhD Candidate, Saint Mary's University
This has been a wonderful initiative and several of my own students have benefited from the support.Nancy Arthur
PhD, R.Psych, Former Professor, Educational Studies in Counselling Psychology, Associate Dean Research, Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary
Being part of GSEP at CERIC has been valuable, not only in terms of winning a scholarship to Cannexus, but also in terms of access to resources and support when I’m trying to find the answers to academic and professional questions.Jennifer Davies
MEd, CCC, EdD Candidate in Counselling Psychology, University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
My membership with GSEP at CERIC offered me an opportunity to attend and present at Cannexus, but more importantly to get connected with those working in a field I felt so passionate about. Career is a life long process, as is the learning we will undergo, and GSEP is the perfect way to engage in the dialogue of the journey.Angela Katsamakis
MA Counselling Psychology Candidate, University of British Columbia
Being part of the GSEP has allowed me to really further explore my research and professional interests through writing an article that I was proud to share with family, friends and colleagues. In addition, receving GSEP’s support allowed me to contribute to the exciting field of career development by supporting my attendance at the Cannexus conference for my very first speaking presentation.Danni Lei
MSc Counselling Psychology Candidate, University of Calgary
Joining GSEP has offered me a wonderful opportunity to exchange ideas at Cannexus, exploring various angles of career development through different approaches and disciplines. I had the chance to reflect on how workplace training contributes to individuals' career growth and connect with invaluable people and resources within the career development community. The synergy at CERIC, with passionate individuals coming together from across Canada, has greatly enriched my ongoing career development journey.Jihène Hichri
PhD candidate, Faculté des science de l'éducation, UQAM, QC
With GSEP, I was able to publish an article, evaluate submissions and applications from others, and provide feedback based on my perspective and experience. I connected with people from all over Canada, including not just university professors and students, but also career development experts. This diverse and rich environment offered limitless opportunities for everyone to draw from according to their roles and needs. (Presenting at) Cannexus was a concrete expression of these experiences and exchanges.Aziz Mimoudi
PhD in Education, University of Sherbrooke, QC
“My name is Aziz Mimoudi, and I am currently pursuing a PhD in Education at the University of Sherbrooke. Before embarking on my doctoral journey, I worked as a full-time teacher with the Ministry of National Education in Morocco and the Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE). After earning my Master’s degree in Training Engineering and Multilingualism, I joined Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Morocco as an e-learning course designer. Later, I transitioned to a lecturer position at the Institute of Education Sciences within UM6P.
My tenure in Morocco provided me with a wealth of experience in teaching, curriculum development, and educational technology integration. These roles enabled me to gain a deep understanding of the educational challenges and opportunities within the Moroccan education system and the AEFE network. My passion for education and my dedication to enhancing teaching practices motivated me to pursue further studies and contribute to the academic community through research and innovation.
Since 2020, my research at the University of Sherbrooke has centered on harnessing artificial intelligence and educational technologies to improve learning experiences. I am particularly focused on developing and implementing AI-powered Learning Management Systems (LMS) and intelligent tutoring systems designed to offer personalized support to both students and educators.
In parallel with my doctoral studies, I have actively engaged in understanding the practical applications of AI through research assistant positions at the University of TÉLUQ, specifically within their AI research lab, as well as in collaboration with industry partners. Balancing these responsibilities has been challenging, especially with the demands of family life, but it has also been immensely rewarding. This involvement has led me to participate as a co-researcher in two new research and development projects aimed at creating AI-assisted training platforms to enable personalized learning through intelligent tutoring systems. These projects span different disciplines and cater to diverse audiences, highlighting the versatility and broad applicability of AI in education. I am eager to continue my journey in the field of education, utilizing my expertise to make a significant impact in both academic and practical settings. As you can see, my goal is to contribute to the advancement of educational practices through innovative research and effective technology integration :blush:.
My two years with GSEP were a unique experience compared to my time in research labs in Quebec. With GSEP, I published an article, evaluated submissions and applications from others, and provided feedback based on my perspective and experience. I connected with people from all over Canada, including not just university professors and students, but also career development experts. This diverse and rich environment offered limitless opportunities for everyone to draw from according to their roles and needs. `{`Presenting at`}` Cannexus was a concrete expression of these experiences and exchanges.``Aziz Mimoudi
PhD in Education, University of Sherbrooke, QC
Being a member of GSEP was instrumental in enhancing my career. It provided invaluable networking opportunities, allowing me to connect with industry professionals and engage in meaningful conversations about career development. These interactions enabled me to meet like-minded individuals and brainstorm on important topics, which significantly enriched my professional journey. Overall, my experience with GSEP has been transformative, providing the connections, insights, and support needed to thrive in the field of career development.Deepti Mhaske
Masters candidate, Employment Relations, Memorial University, NL
When I was younger, I wanted to be a chef, but my aspirations evolved over time. My interest in career development began organically. I was always helping friends identify their career paths and providing them with resources, earning a reputation for being resourceful. This inclination continued through college and blossomed during my time in recruitment, where I helped many individuals navigate their career journeys. After moving to Canada, I felt a growing need to assist others in their professional paths. With the guidance of a mentor, I transitioned seamlessly from Recruitment to Career Practitioner, transforming my passion into a profession.I completed a Master's in Employment Relations from Memorial University and am now working as a Student Development Officer for Co-operative Education at the College of the North Atlantic. In this role, I assist students with placements, help them identify their areas of interest, and prepare them for the job market.
Being a member of GSEP was instrumental in enhancing my career. It provided invaluable networking opportunities, allowing me to connect with industry professionals and engage in meaningful conversations about career development. These interactions enabled me to meet like-minded individuals and brainstorm on important topics, which significantly enriched my professional journey.
One surprising lesson I’ve learned is that career development is a continuous journey for both practitioners and clients. While we can provide clients with resources and support, the accountability for taking action ultimately lies with them. As career practitioners, our role is to facilitate and guide, but client engagement and initiative are crucial for success.
Overall, my experience with GSEP has been transformative, providing the connections, insights, and support needed to thrive in the field of career development.
Deepti Mhaske
Masters candidate, Employment Relations, Memorial University, NL
Any questions? Email Alexandra Manoliu at gsep@ceric.ca.