The Importance of Following Your Passion: Careers Morning

There's no better way to learn about a job than by speaking to someone living it. Careers Morning gives Greenwood students in Grades 9-12 a candid look at many potential career options as they begin to consider their paths after graduation.

Passion was a common theme in the presentations. Many speakers stressed to students the importance of finding a postsecondary program and a career that lights their sparks. Several of our presenters have also switched careers, demonstrating to students that it's possible to change paths if the one they're on isn't the one for them.

Two Greenwood alumni were among our speakers this year: Evan Oberman ('07), the founder of technology company Business Cloud Inc.; and chef Spencer Newlands ('07). "It was amazing to be back," says Spencer. "The school meant so much to me that I booked a plane ticket back to Toronto for this!"

Students really enjoyed learning the ins and outs of different careers. "It was a great way to get a sense of the actual job," says Simon Piller-Tahy ('15), who attended the Law and Emergency Services sessions. "You're learning from people who have actually been there."

Charlotte Millar ('17), who attended the Animal Care and Acting sessions, agrees. "The sessions really made me think about what I want to do," she says. "They also covered the challenges that come with the careers, like getting consistent work as an actor."

We'd like to thank all of our Careers Morning speakers for taking the time to share their stories with our students! Check out our photo album of this year's event on the right.

Here's a list of all of the presenters:

Jay Aber - President, The Aber Group
Ron Barrow - District Chief of Public Information, Fire Services
Michael Belovich - Veterinarian, Yonge Street Animal Hospital
Keith Bennie - Senior Coordinator, Adult Learning, Toronto International Film Festival
Anthony Boright - President, InvestorPOS
Chris Broadhurst - Head Manager, Toronto Athletic Club
Doug Brown - Film Teacher, Greenwood College School
Jeff Cole - Managing Partner, Turtle Creek Asset Management Inc.
Mary Ann Crichton - Managing Director, Investment and Business Planning, Hatch
Gregory Ellis - Co-founder, Kinetix
Ross Etherington - Design and Sales, Etherington Designs
Leigh Greer - RVT, Yonge Street Animal Hospital
Terri Hawkes - Playwright
Kim Henry - Constable, Toronto Police Service
Paul Joannou - Portfolio Manager, McMaster Centre for Software Certification, McMaster University
Susan Kennedy - Senior Director, Vision Legal Recruitment
Darrell Macalla - Artist
Alastair MacNicol - Personal Trainer, Crossfit Quantum
Trish Magwood - Author, Host, Food Network
Caitlin McClung - Policy Writer
John McGarry - Constable, Toronto Police Service
Bill Morneau - Executive Chairman, Morneau Shepell
Michael Moskowitz - President, Panasonic Canada
Matt Moyer - Staff Sergeant, Toronto Police Service
Spencer Newlands - Chef
Evan Oberman - Founder, Business Cloud Inc.
Amy Paul - Graphic Designer/Principal, elephantstove
Jude Robinson - Chemical Engineer
Karen Sargeant - Partner, Fasken Martineau
Dr. Robert Sargeant - Staff Physician, Division of General Internal Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital
Colleen Shier - Principal, Spruce Interiors
Brigitte Shim - Principal, Shim-Sutcliffe Architects Inc.
Sybil Taylor - Communications Director, Steam Whistle Brewing
David Thornton - Senior Policy Advisor, Ontario Ministry of Energy
Richard Wengle - Architect, Richard Wengle Architecture Inc.
Dr. Diane Wherrett - Doctor of Pediatric Endocrinology, SickKids Hospital
Adonis Yatchew - Professor, University of Toronto