“Sometimes students just need a person to talk to.”

In the Department of Cell and Systems Biology, many graduate students have the opportunity to collaborate with faculty from other graduate departments, which is an advantage of being part of a large, research-intensive institution like the University of Toronto.

Being in a large university that is famous around the world for research excellence, and having that university located in a vibrant, multicultural city like Toronto are two of the best attributes that U of T has to offer. Students will never run out of things to do in their free time.

I have been at the job for close to 10 years. I like the challenges that accompany the various financial aspects of graduate programs. Every year there are different obstacles that come up, and trying to figure out the best way to tackle those obstacles can keep you on your toes.

The important thing to remember is that every student is a unique individual, and every situation that arises has to be treated in a way that is appropriate to the specific student.

In addition to the assortment of academic and program-related questions that arise, I’ve had the privilege to know students on a more personal level. There are lots of conversations about future career goals and what they hope to achieve once they leave the University. Sometimes students just need a person to talk to, even when it’s not about anything related to their life at the University of Toronto. And that’s one of the best parts of this job.