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Finding My Way: Lessons from GBC Alumni

This week, I had the chance to listen to three George Brown College alumni—Caleigh Heck, Marquis Richards, and Aadhar Mehta—share their journeys from being students to landing co-op placements and building careers. Their stories were personal, authentic, and at times surprisingly relatable. More than anything, they reminded me that breaking into the professional world isn’t just about sending out applications—it’s about building connections, embracing opportunities, and being intentional with how we present ourselves.

What resonated with me most was Caleigh’s emphasis on persistence in the job search. She spoke about how rejection is inevitable but not defining, and that really hit home. I know how easy it is to let unanswered emails or a “no” from a recruiter make you question your worth. Hearing Caleigh admit she went through the same made me realize rejection is part of the process, not a verdict on my skills. For me, this is especially relevant because I’m just beginning to think about co-op opportunities, and I often worry about not being “enough” compared to other candidates. Caleigh’s perspective shifted my mindset: resilience can sometimes be the skill that sets you apart.

Another idea that stuck with me came from Marquis, who highlighted the importance of networking and showing your authentic self online. He talked about LinkedIn as more than just a résumé—it’s a platform to share who you are, not just what you’ve done. That perspective really resonated with me because I’ve often thought of LinkedIn as stiff and transactional. Marquis reframed it as a space where you can showcase your voice, your projects, and even your values. It made me think: what would it look like if my profile wasn’t just a checklist of skills, but a story about me? This gave me the push to rethink how I present myself online—not just for employers, but for building real professional relationships.

Aadhar’s insight about adapting after graduation also surprised me. He shared that while school gives you the foundation, the real learning starts once you’re in the workplace. I used to think once you graduate, you’re “ready,” like you cross a finish line. Instead, he described it as a starting line, where curiosity and adaptability matter more than perfection. That really challenged my expectations. I realized I need to be more open to continuous learning, and to see every role as a training ground rather than just a job.

Hearing all three alumni, I learned something important: the job search isn’t just about finding a role, it’s about shaping a career identity. That means showing persistence like Caleigh, building connections like Marquis, and keeping an open mind like Aadhar.

As I think about my own career path, these lessons give me both reassurance and direction. I won’t always get it right the first time, and that’s okay. What matters is that I stay consistent, show up authentically, and keep growing. If I can hold on to those lessons, then rejection won’t feel like the end of the road, but just another step toward finding where I belong.