Q&A With SSU Digital Community Coordinator: Isabelle
Have you ever wondered what it’s like being in the Community Safety program at Sheridan? We sat down with a recent Sheridan graduate, Isabelle, to chat about life in the Community Safety program, working at the SSU, and her plans for the future. Whether you’re heading into the Community Safety program, passionate about working in the industry, or just want the inside scoop on college life, check out our Q&A chat:
“I was surprised by the diverse courses offered in this program, which ranged from policing, research, criminology, psychology, sociology, and more.”
- Isabelle Hua
Q: What's the most exciting part of your program so far?
A: Now that I have completed this program, the most exciting part was graduating. Just kidding, the most exciting part was presenting my research project at the capstone symposium!
Q: What's a project or assignment you're really proud of working on? What made it so rewarding?
A: A project I’m extremely proud of is my capstone research project, the biggest project in my program. It was incredibly rewarding to present everything I had dedicated so much time and effort to (spanning over two terms) at the capstone symposium. What made it even more rewarding was the opportunity to share insights on a topic I’m deeply passionate about, which is student knowledge of Sheridan Student Union resources.
Q: What’s something you wish you knew before going into this program?
A: I wish I had known beforehand about the extensive amount of group work embedded in this program and the number of lengthy readings that would be assigned.
Q: What skill(s) did you gain from your program that helped you succeed in your position at the SSU?
A: Adaptability and communication were the biggest skills I gained. If anything, the skill I valued and gained from the SSU that helped with my program was public speaking (it did me justice in my presentations)!
Q: What made you choose Sheridan and what made you select your program?
A: I chose Sheridan because it stood out to me, as it was the only college that offered such a unique degree that isn’t at other colleges. Its program overview perfectly aligned with my career ambitions and aspirations.
Q: Tell us about your experience in your program. What surprised you most? What was challenging?
A: My experience in my program was truly amazing! I had the privilege of collaborating closely with professors who really cared about my success and was given numerous opportunities through this program (such as conducting my own research project and engaging in an internship). I was surprised by the diverse courses offered in this program, which ranged from policing, research, criminology, psychology, sociology, and more. The most challenging aspect was confronting my preconceived notions and societal teachings about certain topics, which led me to gain a broader perspective on community safety issues.
Q: What's a hidden gem (an item, app, tool, software, etc.) that wasn't on your syllabus that you found to be essential to your success?
A: A not-so-hidden gem but so essential to my success was WhatsApp lol! The group chat with my classmates saved my marks.
Q: Favourite Course(s) & Why?
A: My favourite course was Program Evaluation because I learned how to design effective prevention and intervention programs to address specific concerns. It also gave me the opportunity to evaluate an existing program to assess its effectiveness and areas for improvement.
Q: What's something you learned about yourself in this program?
A: I learned that I have a passion for conducting research and analyzing data using SPSS.
Q: What did you learn about yourself or Sheridan students in this role?
A: When I first started this role, I believed myself to be an introvert (ironic, I know). But as I embraced my role as a Digital Community Coordinator (DCC), I broke out of my shell and learned that I really enjoy meeting and talking to new people!
Q: How would you describe a typical day working at the SSU?
A: A typical day working at the SSU is so exciting and enjoyable. I would arrive at my shift and see my lovely colleagues—and if they’re the lucky chosen ones, I would present them with a fabulous idea and ask them to be in an IG Reel or TikTok. Other than that, I would see what social tasks I have for the day, film them, get happy when playing it back and seeing how good I look in them (LOL jk but not really), cringe at my voice while editing, and finally post them for the students to see! My daily routine that gets me through every shift is getting some yummy fries from Bruin Coffee House during my break, which I highly recommend!
Q: What is something that surprised you about working at the SSU?
A: When I first joined the SSU, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I never imagined just how close my colleagues would become or how much they would mean to me—they became some of my closest friends! Another thing that really surprised me about working at the SSU was my role as a DCC (now known as Social Media Coordinator). I knew I’d love this position, but I didn’t realize just how much. I got to connect with students and peers, film so many fun pop-ups and events, explore my creativity, and enjoy my job to its full extent! I really had the privilege of working with the best team hehe!
Q: What's one of the most exciting things you've done in your role so far? What made it so fulfilling?
A: The most exciting thing I’ve done in my role was to help our channels grow, especially our main Instagram account, which reached 11.4K followers! I remember when I first joined the SSU around two years ago, and we had about 6–8k followers, so seeing it rise this high makes me so happy!
Q: What skill(s) did you learn from working at the SSU that would help you in the future?
A: Public speaking, confidence-building, as well as planning and organizational skills.
Q: What's your ideal life like after graduation? Share some of your goals and aspirations!
A: Ideally, I’d like to follow in my dad’s footsteps and secure a government job, but with more of a focus on public safety.
Did you know that Sheridan students from a variety of programs work at the SSU?
When it comes to highlighting student stories, we believe that it’s important to hear from students’ perspectives, in their own words. That’s why we’ve interviewed student leaders who have worked at the SSU to gain insight into their programs of study (as well as their role at the SSU).
