Tanya's December Reflection
As we approach the end of the term, what is one key takeaway from your experience as a whole/so far at U+/YRES? How will you integrate this into your life moving forward?
One of the key takeaways from my experience so far here is the reinforcement of the idea that the little things can make a big difference. In my position of Volunteer Manager under YRES, I’ve screened hundreds of applications and accepted many individuals. From my perspective, it’s a pretty small thing to accept a volunteer considering they are just one individual I have onboarded and processed among hundreds, but being accepted into a volunteering opportunity for some individuals leaves a huge mark in their lives. For example, there were two high school students that recently came to Canada from China that were not initially confident in their English-speaking skills but over the course of four months, I saw them grow to love speaking with the campers at our weekend camp. Additionally, there was a volunteer that joined us in the summer to support our summer camp program and loved working with our staff and for our cause, to which he returned as a high school co-op student in the following semester (right now!).
Even just the everyday conversations you have with people can leave a lasting impression on others and let them feel seen/heard. As the Co-op/Placement Supervisor, one of my key duties is to ensure the well-being of the co-op/placement students and building a professional relationship with them to show that I am there to support them through any troubles but still keep up with responsibilities and hold everyone and myself accountable. As a supervisor, leading by example is very important and to do that, the devil is in the details!
Who was someone that made your experience at U+/YRES more memorable? Explain your choice.
I have met so many people throughout my whole year at U+/YRES that shaped my experience to be such an enjoyable and memorable one. There is the Winter 2024 cohort of university co-op students that I still keep in contact with and organize meet-ups with; other full-time/part-time staff that I collaborated with on different projects; the numerous university co-op/placement students, high school co-op students, and volunteers that I have interacted with and mentored; as well as the company executives and the director that have trusted me with various projects and operations.
If I had to pick someone from the current Fall 2024 term, it would be Jessica. She recently joined us in September 2024 and will be with U+/YRES for 12 months. Her interpersonal skills and ability to foster amicable relationships with high school co-op students and university placement students helped foster a supportive working/learning environment for these individuals. She also took on new projects with a can-do attitude and made sure to ask for feedback/advice where applicable.
What is some advice/tips that you would offer to future staff?
Having seen three cohorts of high school and university students join the organization, the most important advice I can offer is to not shy away from challenges because you are oftentimes more capable than you think. This harks back to my April 2024 blog. You are in control of how to approach every opportunity and challenge that you come across and there is always something to takeaway.
A second piece of advice is to balance friendship and professionalism in the workplace. Workplace friendships can boost morale and make work more pleasant but one must be aware of the impact such relationships can have. Remember your professional goals for why you took the job in the first place and make sure that you are still delivering good results on your projects. Set clear boundaries if needed, such as when are appropriate times to be in a more social mood. You must also be aware of power dynamics when working with those you have authority over as perceptions and accusations of bias or favouritism may appear, which can lead to workplace dramas or poor collaborations. Make sure to keep your actions professional and consistent.
If there was a yearbook for all employees at U+, what photo and quote would you choose to display as we approach the end of the year?
“People have forgotten this truth,” the fox said. “But you mustn’t forget it. You become responsible forever for what you’ve tamed. You’re responsible for your rose.”
– Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince