The Level Up series helps new grads navigate life and work after getting their degree, with virtual and in-person events that provide opportunities for career development, learning, and professional and social networking. If you have any questions, or would like to present or host a Level Up session, please contact Senior Alumni Engagement Officer Nicole Light at nlight@yorku.ca or 647-527-2550.
Young Alumni Career Mixer
Date: March 20 | 6 p.m. ET
Location: Manulife Financial Headquarter, 200 Bloor St E, Toronto, West Room A
Dress code: Business casual
Light refreshments will be served
Join us at this career networking event and grow your professional network. Meet alumni mentors who will share their experience and expertise across various industries including: Healthcare, technology, marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, law and more.
This event is at full capacity and registration is now closed.
For any questions or to cancel your registration, please contact: alumni@yorku.ca.
Featured alumni mentors
Faculty: Liberal Arts and Professional Studies
Industry: HR
LinkedIn
Ask me about:
- Career growth and professional development in HR
- The power of saying yes – embracing opportunities to accelerate your career
- Navigating the transition from university to the workforce
Faculty: Science
Industry: Health
LinkedIn
Ask me about:
- How to get into medical school
- Work-life balance
- Pursuing a career in mental health
Faculty: Liberal Arts and Professional Studies
Industry: Tech
LinkedIn
Ask me about:
- Changing careers
- Starting your career in tech
- Networking
Faculty: Health
Industry: Health
LinkedIn
Ask me about:
- Things they do not tell you about being a leader, but you need to know.
- Managing your physical, emotional, mental and final health post-graduation
- Coaching and mentoring the next generation
Faculty: Glendon
Industry: Communications
LinkedIn
Ask me about:
- Government relations
- Strategic communications
- Changing industries
Faculty: Schulich
Industry: Entrepreneurship
LinkedIn
Ask me about:
- Building a personal portfolio
- Entrepreneurship/Startups
- Changing careers
- Navigating your job vs. career
Faculty: Health
Industry: Business
LinkedIn
Ask me about:
- Strategic thinking and innovation
- Networking and relationship building
- Leading with vision and influence
Faculty: Liberal Arts and Professional Studies
Industry: Human resources
LinkedIn
Ask me about:
- Human resources
- Landing your first job after graduation
- Career planning
Faculty: AMPD
Industry: Arts
LinkedIn
Ask me about:
- Finding a career pathway after graduation
- Entrepreneurial spirit
- Creative arts and commerce
Faculty: Liberal Arts and Professional Studies
Industry: Business
LinkedIn
Ask me about:
- Advancing your career and identifying the right opportunities
- Building your reputation in a corporate career
- Building thought leadership in business
Faculty: Liberal Arts and Professional Studies
Industry: Business
LinkedIn
Ask me about:
- Financing your start up business
- Healthcare financing
- Why everyone should try sales
Faculty: Osgoode Hall Law School
Industry: Law
LinkedIn
Ask me about:
- Applying to law school
- Finding the right job in law
- Pursuing a career in law
Archive
Alumni speakers: Sam Dobbin (JD ’22), Associate, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP and Elnaz Nejadabbasi (BA ’18), Real Estate and Corporate Lawyer, Hummingbird Lawyers LLP
Thinking about going to law school or studying for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT)? Hear from two York alumni who have recently graduated from law school and are now successful lawyers working in the Toronto area.
Jan. 28 | 12 p.m. ET
Alumni speaker: Jasrin Kaur (BCom ’23), Senior IT Project Coordinator, CIBC
In today’s competitive job market, building a strong personal brand is essential to stand out and achieve your professional goals. LinkedIn, as the world’s leading professional network, provides unparalleled opportunities to showcase your expertise, connect with industry leaders, and create meaningful content.
Date: Nov. 5 | 12 p.m. ET
Alumni speakers: Alamgir Khandwala CPA (BAS ’17), Revenue Accounting Manager, Uber, representing San Francisco, United States, Jenny Chong (BCOM '07), Founder, The Essential Project Manager, representing London, England, United Kingdom and Cheyenne Duz (BSc ’11), Sustainability Ratings Senior Manager, EcoVadis. Representing Paris, France
Are you interested in taking your career global? This upcoming panel discussion features successful early career alumni from Europe and the United States discussing their international careers and advice for interested alumni and students. The moderated discussion will cover how the panelists secured work after graduation, discussing the challenges, benefits, learnings and tips for grads looking to find work outside of Canada.
Date: Oct. 22 | 5 p.m. ET
Alumni speakers: Brian Serapio (BSc ’18), Psychiatry Resident, University of Toronto and Clarelle Gonsalves (BSc ’18), Paediatrics Resident, Hospital for Sick Children/University of Toronto
Thinking about going to medical school or studying for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)? This event will feature intimate conversations with two successful York alumni who have recently graduated from medical school and are now excelling as doctors. Learn tips for navigating medical school admissions, the highs and lows of being a medical school student and takeaways from being an early career doctor.
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024 | 12 p.m. ET
Host: Ali Rushdi (MBA ’19), Omnichannel Manager, Boehringer Ingelheim Canada
Featuring recruitment specialists and hiring managers from a variety of industries, this special alumni panel will discuss ways new graduates can increase their chances of success when job hunting.
Featured panelists:
- Judith Fernando, (BHRM ’18), Campus Recruiter, IBM Consulting
- Stewart Pei (HURS ’07), Talent Sourcing Partner, Aviva Canada
- Christine Madigan (BEd ’17, BA ’17), Talent Acquisition Programs Specialist, Toromont Cat
Date: October 13, 2022
Host: Thomas Loebel, Dean & Associate Vice-President, Graduate Studies
Thinking about grad school or simply curious about your options? Listen to alumni as they share their candid experiences as grad students, why they decided to enrol in a master's program, what they wished they knew before beginning their studies, and tips on how to prepare an effective graduate school application.
Panelists include:
- Masaõ Ashtine (MSc ’13), Postdoctoral Researcher in Energy System Modelling, Department of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford
- Osman Naqvi (MMgt ’17), Advisor, Investor Services at Invest in Canada
- Sonia Sheechoria (BHRM ’15, MLCE ’19), Director Leadership Giving at Canadian Cancer Society
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023
Hosts: Prakash Amarasooriya, (BSc ’15), Learning Solution Architect, TD; CEO and Founder, Kashamara Productions
Have you dreamed about starting your own business or becoming an entrepreneur? Attend our upcoming virtual alumni entrepreneurship panel and Q&A and learn valuable advice for launching and growing a start-up business. This panel will feature three award-winning alumni who have launched successful start-ups as entrepreneurs.
Featured panelists:
- Suzanna Alsayed (BA ’16, BA ‘17, MDEM ’20), Founder & CEO, Evolutz Inc. and 2022 York Top 30 Alumni Under 30 recipient.
- Nick Di Scipio (BEng ‘23), Founder & CEO, Pantheon Prototyping.
- Dennis Gorya, BBA ‘20, Founder & CEO, Tidal Commerce
Buying a home in today’s real estate market
Date: February 28, 2023
Host: Avreen Kochhar (BHRM ’19), Human Resources Specialist Advisor, Government of Canada
Speakers: Daniel Steinfeld (BBA ’04), co-founder and CEO, On The Block Realty; On The Block Auctions & Katie Steinfeld (BBA ’04), co-founder and Broker of Record, On The Block Realty
Thinking about buying your first home but unsure how to prepare for this type of life changing purchase? Join this informative session to hear from industry experts, Daniel Steinfeld (BBA ’04) and Katie Steinfeld (BBA ’04) and learn about a range of topics to help you prepare to enter the housing market.
The session will cover topics including:
- The value of getting into the market
- Deciding to rent or buy
- Down payments, financing and available rebates
- How young people like you have moved up the property ladder
- Preparing for this purchase
- Who you need to help with this process (agents, lawyers, bank, etc.)
How to file taxes in Canada (for beginners)
Date: Mar. 28, 2023
Host: Ishita Mittal, Schulich BBA Candidate 2025
Speaker: Wei En (Ryan) Chen, BComm ’22, Senior Tax Associate, MySolutions team at PwC
Thinking about filing your taxes and are unsure where to start? Join this informative session to hear from industry expert and York U alumnus, Wei En (Ryan) Chen (BComm ’22) and learn about a range of topics that will give you the confidence you need to prepare your own tax return.
This session will cover:
- Basics of the Canadian tax system — What is a tax return? Why do we need to file one? What are Canadian tax rates?
- Various types of income sources that are taxed and their implications — salary vs. investment income
- Types of tax returns available to file
- Tax slips (T3, T4, T5, T2202A, T4RSP) that are commonly applicable to new grads
- Deadlines to file your taxes
- Common tax credits and deductions available and those that are relevant to students or recent graduates
- Tax planning strategies to save or defer taxes to the future
- Tax filing software available to file tax returns
If you have any questions, or would like to present or host a Level Up session, please contact Senior Alumni Engagement Officer Nicole Light at nlight@yorku.ca or 437-235-8754.
A special thank you to our preferred partners:
Having a York University degree is a very positive thing in the eyes of these financial services providers. Tens of thousands of alumni like you have already unlocked preferred insurance rates – simply because they graduated from York.