UPSAccomplished Alumni

CHRISTINA SHIHARA FERNANDO

Years at UPSA: 2020 - 2023

Roles at UPSA: General Peer Ambassador, Peer Mentor 

Q: Why did you join UPSA? 

I joined UPSA on a whim right at the start of second year. I saw a recruitment post on social media, thought that becoming a Peer Mentor would be an interesting use of my time, and I didn't have much volunteer experience so I was looking forward to getting to know the community. I wasn't expecting to get anywhere with it, having little experience, but I was delighted to be offered an interview, and I ended up staying with UPSA until the year I graduated!

Q: What did you gain from joining UPSA?

UPSA has given me many fantastic opportunities I am grateful for. The leadership and counselling-like skill building of Peer Mentoring was a key component of my grad school applications. It helped me realized how much I enjoy 1 on 1 counselling-like conversations, and how career development and life transitions are some of my niche interests. I also used to be quite shy at presenting and public speaking, but having to run activity sessions and presentations for small and large groups of people helped me overcome that in a safe space. I met my honours thesis supervisor, Dr. Mar, initially through Meet the Profs, and the networking I've gained to both students and professors helped with securing research opportunities, and great friendships. Finally, I would say the best thing I gained was confidence. In myself and my abilities, and in my vision for what I wanted in the future for my career.

Q: What was your favourite memory or favourite thing you have experienced as a UPSA member

I hold 2 especially favourably. As a Peer Mentor I would run activity sessions, and one activity session I led (with Peyman) we had our little group listen to music and write the narratives/music videos that came to mind when listening. That was hilarious and very fun to do with such a lovely little group. 

Other memory - I had to leave mid year of my last year as Peer Mentor due to a concussion. I sent my goodbye email to my mentees, and took a month off to recover. When I logged back into my email, I had a bunch of touching emails that thanked me for our time together and wished me well - it made me cry happy tears! Later that year I bumped into two other mentees I had never met in person, but spoken over email to, and they hugged me, thanked me, and remembered the songs I sent in my weekly emails. With a lot of my emails having gone unanswered over the years, I was never fully sure if I was reaching my mentees. It was really validating to know that I did a good job, and that my work did make a difference in the lives of my mentees. I miss being a PM!

Q: What you are doing now? - career path you are on, any project that you are working towards, etc. 

I am currently a Masters student studying Counselling Psychology at the University of Western Ontario. I'm excited to start my second thesis, likely building off of my honours thesis (Lives to be Lived: Finding Direction by Writing One's Own Obituary), and I plan to publish my honours thesis with Dr. Mar. I will continue my education and become a licensed Counselling Psychologist. I plan to continue focusing my work on young adults dealing with existential issues such as meaning and purpose, and finding direction in ones life via career and personal development.

GENNARO QUINTIERI

Years at UPSA: 2021 - 2023 

Roles at UPSA: Co-President

Q: Why did you join UPSA? 

I was motivated to join UPSA after attending my first meet the profs event. Unlike other student groups, UPSA felt like a family of students that cared for one another and above all else for the larger academic community, which is a legacy I wanted to be part of. 

Q: What did you gain from joining UPSA?

Joining UPSA has been a wonderful experience, giving me so many opportunities to grow academically, socially, and professionally. Throughout my time at UPSA, I’ve gained access to helpful resources and dedicated faculty who’ve helped me sharpen my skills and push my potential. Beyond academics, I’ve formed meaningful friendships and connections with peers and mentors who’ve become a huge part of my support system. On the professional side, UPSA has opened doors to internships, career workshops, and networking events, giving me real-world experience and the confidence to step into my future career. It’s been a journey of growth on so many levels.

Q: What was your favourite memory or favourite thing you have experienced as a UPSA member

One of my favorite memories at UPSA was spending spacial moments with my peers. Whether we were working on group projects, studying together late into the night, or just sharing laughs during downtime, those connections made my experience so much richer. The bonds we formed during those moments are something I’ll always cherish.

Q: What you are doing now? - career path you are on, any project that you are working towards, etc. 

Currently, I am working as a project leader in the construction industry, where I’ve been able to merge the experience I have gained at UPSA with real-world challenges. Leading projects has allowed me to put theory into practice, managing teams, timelines, and resources to ensure successful outcomes. My time at UPSA prepared me well for this role, equipping me with the critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills necessary to navigate in my field.

PEYMAN MOGHIMI 

Years at UPSA: 2019 - 2023

Roles at UPSA: Co-President, Vice President of Community Relations, Vice President of Student Success, CoRe Coordinator, General Peer Ambassador, Peer Mentor 

Q: Why did you join UPSA? 

I originally wanted to learn about different ways that I could use my degree to progress past graduation, and the different volunteering and skill-building opportunities available to psychology students. Psychology is a very interesting subject, but unlike others, it doesn't have a straight pipeline to a profession. An engineering student will most likely become an engineer. A psych student? They can become a researcher, a therapist, a psychologist, a psychiatrist, or even a lawyer!

As well, I wanted to make more social connections and build a community at university. While I had friends in classes, I wanted to do more, and different types of events with people from my own program.

Q: What did you gain from joining UPSA?

UPSA affected every facet of my university experience, in a good way. Academically, I found friends in Peer Tutors and Mentors that taught me how to succeed in school and what paths to take. Socially,  the commuter school that I found to be lonely at times transformed into a second home where I would see familiar faces all over. Professionally, almost every job or internship I've held during and since university has been directly or indirectly as a result of my involvement with UPSA. I worked for a year at Calumet and Stong Colleges because my VP referenced me, I went into the York Seneca Rehab Certificate because my Copresidents at the time introduced me to it, and I hold my current job because someone from that certificate program let me know about the opportunity.

Q: What was your favourite memory or favourite thing you have experienced as a UPSA member

It's hard to choose one thing, but it has to be the Hallmark movie Christmas gatherings with my fellow UPSA execs. Each year during Christmas we would get together and do a potluck while watching a terrible Hallmark movie (no offence haha) and playing Nintendo Switch games, and that time with my friends made me really happy. I think back to Karaoke nights with them, to picnics, and all the inside jokes.

Q: What you are doing now? - career path you are on, any project that you are working towards, etc. 

I am currently a Supportive Housing Worker at COTA Health, where I help the homeless with finding permanent housing and essential services. As well, starting Fall 2024, I will be studying for my Masters in Social Work from University of Toronto. My ultimate goal is to build clinical experience in counselling and therapy, and to one day have my own practice providing psychotherapy services.

KAYE CANOY

Years at UPSA: 2018 - 2023

Roles at UPSA: Co-President, Vice President of Marketing, Marketing Coordinator, Marketing Ambassador

Q: Why did you join UPSA? 

I wanted a community that was outside of academics. As a newcomer to the country and a first-year student in university, I also wanted to gain friends and have a reason to see them on a regular basis (aka meetings and events).

Q: What did you gain from joining UPSA?

As volunteer with UPSA, I was able to meet and network with different types of people with various backgrounds and careers. With that, I learned how they got to their careers and was able to figure out within myself if that suits me as well. Another benefit is working closely with faculty and staff members at York and CCSC. I was able to get a work/study opportunity because of the skills that I learned at UPSA which eventually helped me get a job at York after I graduated. Other than that, I have also met my friends from UPSA - friends that will last a lifetime.

Q: What was your favourite memory or favourite thing you have experienced as a UPSA member

I have so many good memories at UPSA. One of the many things is when we had our Zoom meetings during COVID and because we didn't have anything else to do, we end up accompanying each other on Zoom while we worked/ate. I think for me it kept me mentally positive during that time and made me motivated that after the lockdown, I have people to meet up with.

Another favourite memory I have is during academic orientation. By nature, it is very hectic and requires a full day of availability. However, during that time I can see those individuals who persevere, those who take the leadership role and take care of their members, and those who figure out at the moment how to cope when a stressful situation comes. It's always a learning opportunity during academic orientation.

Q: What you are doing now? - career path you are on, any project that you are working towards, etc. 

I graduated from the Psychology program in 2023 and currently, I am a Student Success Programs Support/Coordinator at Calumet & Stong Colleges (CCSC) at York University. I have been accepted to the Bachelor of Education (Teacher's College) program at York for the 2024-2026 cohort which I am excited to start!