A fundamental part of the UPEI student experience is our support for students! Learn more about our student support services from the stories of our staff and faculty members—in their own words—and the meaningful contributions they make every day.

What’s the best thing about your job as a career counsellor?

I’ve been working as a career counsellor at UPEI since December 2008, and there are a number of things I enjoy about my work at UPEI. Over my time working at UPEI, I’ve added the following professional designations: counselling therapist (CT), Canadian certified counsellor (CCC), and certified career development practitioner (CCDP), which give me a large scope of practice within my role. As a counselling therapist, I provide therapeutic counselling interventions that include things such as working with an individual with a focus on things such as mental health, personal wellbeing, and emotional concerns. As a career development practitioner, I focus on things such as career development/decision-making, employment, and labour market information. Both use student-centered helping skills to build collaborative relationships to help with life decisions, overcome barriers, identify strengths, and achieve personal goals. Essentially, I love being able to work with students on such a broad range of personal and career aspects associated with their day-to-day lives. And if I’m lucky enough, I get to stay connected with them to see how their life plays out. I feel so fortunate to have met and worked with so many amazing students, who have worked through adversity and been able to accomplish so much as they move through their life.  

What’s unique about PEI, and about UPEI?

I believe it’s UPEI’s small size and PEI’s close-knit community, are what makes them so unique. The smaller size creates opportunities for students, staff, faculty, and community members to connect and really get to know one another. In the realm of career development, this provides such a positive opportunity, as students can more easily connect with faculty, employers, alumni, and industry partners to build professional networks.

What makes this even more special is the strong sense of community across the Island. Students are not just part of a university campus; they become part of a province where collaboration and connection help to build a strong sense of belonging and community. This creates opportunities for valuable experiential learning, community engagement, and career exploration that can sometimes be harder to access in larger universities and cities. The combination of personalized support, accessible relationships, and welcoming Island culture helps students feel seen, supported, and connected through their university journey.

How do you feel UPEI prepares students for their future, and what's your specific role in that endeavour?  

I know UPEI does an excellent job of preparing students for their futures. The many people and supports contribute to preparing students for their futures by combining strong academics with personalized support, experiential learning opportunities, mentorship, and meaningful connections with faculty, staff, and the broader community.  

During my time here, I have seen students achieve remarkable academic and professional success. Many have been accepted into graduate and professional programs at highly respected institutions, such as the University of Toronto, McGill University, the University of British Columbia, MIT, and Harvard.  

"Essentially, I love being able to work with students on such a broad range of personal and career aspects associated with their day-to-day lives. And if I’m lucky enough, I get to stay connected with them to see how their life plays out. I feel so fortunate to have met and worked with so many amazing students, who have worked through adversity and been able to accomplish so much as they move through their life."

I have then seen graduates pursue and thrive in a wide range of career paths including research, human and veterinary medicine, law, education, and business. In addition, many students have been the recipients of many prestigious awards and scholarships, including the Rhodes, McCall MacBain, and other national and international honours.  

I have the great privilege of supporting UPEI students through their career development journey. Through career counselling, I help students explore their goals and make informed decisions about their future. I also provide support with graduate school and scholarship applications, as well as employment through resume writing, interview preparation and job searches strategies. My goal is to help students identify their own meaningful opportunities that align with their strengths, interests, and aspirations.  

What should parents and supporters of prospective UPEI students know about Career Services?

Parents and supporters can feel confident knowing that students have access to Career Services that help them prepare them during and after university. We are here to help students build confidence, develop career-ready skills, and make career-informed decisions about their future.  

Career Services is a branch of the Experiential Education department. We support students from high school through graduation and into their alumni years. All of our services are free and confidential, and available to students at every stage of their academic journey. Our team is a mix of student advisors and staff that help support students with a wide variety of career areas. Our Career Services FAQ site is a great way to learn more about our services.