Marisa Vipond '14, Post-Graduate Certificate, Human Resource Management, Oshawa, Ontario

Marisa wants to build a career by helping others navigate their own career paths.  Having completed an undergraduate degree in Geography, Marisa was thrilled to discover the new one-year, post-graduate program in Human Resource Management in her hometown of Oshawa. Along with her educational opportunity came leadership positions, employment and tight-knit support.

“I realized that studying Human Resource Management was right for me,” stated Marisa. “Trent developed my interest through the eleven courses I completed in this program. They introduced me to the different areas of HR, and helped me understand where my interests lie in this diverse field.”

Excited to be a member of the first graduating class of the Human Resource Management program at Trent University Durham, Marisa became very familiar with being number one.  In recognition of her volunteer and work experience and academic success, she was also the first student on campus to receive an entrance scholarship offered by the Human Resources Professionals Association of Durham.

“This is the first time this scholarship was offered to Trent University Durham Business and Human Resource students,” revealed Marisa. “Being the first recipient of this award was a great honour.”

Marisa also had the opportunity to put her HR skills and knowledge to the test working as a career services assistant on the Durham campus.

“This position allowed me to meet Trent faculty, staff, students and representatives from different community organizations,” stated Marisa. “I became involved in the Career Gala, Classrooms to Careers Day, and the Part-time Job and Volunteer Fair.  I felt supported by the entire campus.”

Marisa values the personal educational experience found within her small program and through interaction with her professors who were also industry professionals.  Marisa said, “Being able to speak freely with them and gain their insight on how the material in the classroom translated into the workforce was invaluable.”

Marisa feels Trent prepared her academically by offering courses required to write the Comprehensive Knowledge Exam and earn the Certified Human Resources Professional designation.  Working as a career services assistant provided valuable real-world experience and knowledge.

In the short-term Marisa will be travelling this summer to Scotland and Ireland.  In future, Marisa hopes to make a difference by providing HR support to organizations. She would also like to offer career counselling to students, through volunteering or as a career.

She said, “I would love to come back to Trent University Durham and speak to HRM students about my experiences at this university and in my career.”

Awards and Scholarships received at Trent University:

• Human Resources Professionals Association of Durham’s Entrance Scholarship (2014)

Extra-curricular Activities:

• Volunteer, Career Gala (2014-2015)
• Volunteer, Classrooms to Careers Day (2014-2015)
• Volunteer, Part-time Job and Volunteer Fair (2014-2015)