KPE students came out in record numbers to this year’s Career Café, an annual event that sees alumni returning to the Faculty to share the stories of their career paths after graduating from the program.
“I came here tonight, because I wanted to hear what other people in my field were able to do with their kinesiology degree,” said third year student Tabatha Amponsah.
First year student Shalom Howe was hoping to hear about the different careers in kinesiology, but also to make a connection for future employment in the field.
Neither was disappointed by what they heard from the 18 speakers, who landed careers in professions as varied as physiotherapy, naturopathic medicine, project management, anesthesiology, paramedic services, nursing, community engagement and, in more than one instance, entrepreneurship.
Alumnus Yuri Elkaim played on the Varsity Blues soccer team and wanted to be a physician. He settled for being a New York Times bestselling author and founder of Healthpreneur, a site dedicated to helping health and fitness entrepreneurs build a successful online business.
“I feel that a lot of the people in school today value direction and hearing the perspectives of people who have paved the path. So, if we can share what’s worked for us and what hasn’t, as well as the lessons learned along the way, there may be that one idea that sparks something in their brain that could change everything for them. Whether it comes from me or somebody else, I’m just happy to be part of it,” said Elkaim.
James Rutherford dreamed of becoming a baseball player or going into medicine after graduation. While he didn’t become a doctor, he did sign for a Dutch team for two years. Today, he plays baseball recreationally and manages big projects like the Union Station – Osmington Revitalization professionally, a skill he credits to his days spent working with people in the gym after graduation.
“I learned a lot at this Faculty and I thought this was my opportunity to give something back,” said Rutherford, who is back at U of T again, doing an executive MBA at Rotman’s.
Making her way to meet the mentors, Howe said she liked hearing about their different perspectives.
“I never thought much about entrepreneurship, but tonight I heard so many people talk about how they started their own business and, in the case of Yuri, helped others start their business. Their jobs weren’t necessarily directly connected to physical education and kinesiology, but their education in kinesiology helped them get there. That was really cool to hear,” she said.
“I feel like I heard more about what I didn’t know was out there,” agreed Amponah. “This event really opened my eyes to the breadth of kinesiology and all the jobs you can do beyond it.”