Munk One: A program with a lasting impact
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n March 16th, Munk One students and alumni gathered for the Munk Done: Alumni Career Panel. Moderated by Eric Jackson (‘19-‘20), an incoming Associate Consultant at Deloitte currently specializing in Peace, Conflict, and Justice Studies (PCJ) and majoring in Economics, the panel was an excellent opportunity for Munk One students to learn from and engage with alums from diverse career fields.
Tidiane Diop is a Munk One 2020 graduate, now specializing in Peace, Conflict and Justice Studies and Economics. His advice? Take risks. Tidiane recently interned as a defence and aerospace consultant at Avascent and plans to take on a role as a financial consultant with Alpha FMC when he graduates this spring. When asked about his unconventional path to consulting, Tidiane shared that consulting, similarly to the Munk One program, “is about problem-solving” and advised students to take advantage of all the opportunities the program offers regardless of the career path they want to join. Silin Wei, a current Munk One student, shared that Tidiane’s contributions taught her “not to be afraid to go for things” because “it’s practice, which is better than no practice.”
Astrid Ling (‘18-‘19), a Program Coordinator at Good & Well Inc., shared that employers “value interesting people” and advised students to take advantage of the Munk One program’s opportunities to build their stories. She recalled participating in the COVID Comparative Project, which she was invited to by Professor Joseph Wong, Vice-President International, University of Toronto, who teaches the MUN101 course. Astrid encouraged students to explore the research and leadership opportunities that the program offers, which are rare at the undergraduate level, let alone first year. She also reminded students to enjoy university and to take the time to build friendships. “Build your support group,” she emphasized.
For Joshua Chong (’20-‘21), a Journalist at the Toronto Star, the Munk One program taught him that “creative thinking and coming up with ideas and solutions” are crucial skills for his career. Joshua shared that while he often experiences impostor syndrome in his career, as he did not follow the conventional path to becoming a journalist, his unique experiences shaped him to become the successful journalist he is today to encourage students to follow their passions.
The event was not limited to the panellists, as once the Q&A session started, many alums in the audience happily shared their experiences. For example, the event’s organizers, Anya Haldemann (‘19-‘20) and Allegra Nesbitt-Jerman (’20-‘21), advised students on enriching their academic experiences, as Anya encouraged them to engage with professors during office hours and Allegra recalled her experience using her college’s interview prep sessions to encourage students not to shy away from seeking support when needed. Similarly, Andrew Yin (‘18-‘19 ), an Analyst at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), added on by sharing interview tips, such as the STAR interview method, which consists of describing a situation, a task, the action you took, and its results.
“This was further proof of the great opportunities that exist in the Munk One community. Its alumni are always willing to help, lend their advice and share insights from their experiences.” – Lara Devotto (’22-’23)
The Munk Done: Alumni Career Panel was a true reflection of the lasting impacts of the Munk One program and its tight-knit community. If you wish to learn more about the events of the Munk One Program, follow us on Instagram and Twitter @mymunkone.
