July 16, 2024
Simreet joined the IMI team in the summer of 2022, as the MMPA program assistant. What initially started as a four-month contract and temporary career shift, extended to over two years, in which time Simreet also fulfilled the roles of MMPA program coordinator, IMI administrative support coordinator, and now holds the position of Program Assistant, IMI Graduate Programs. She’s also a proud member of the IMI EDI committee.
Prior to working at UTM, Simreet had been teaching in the Peel District School Board’s elementary panel. Restrictions in teaching during Covid prompted her to explore other career options. Coming to UTM was a full-circle moment, as Simreet graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from UTM a decade ago. She went on to probe further academic opportunities by completing a Masters in English Literature at Lakehead University, complemented by a teaching degree from OISE.
In her spare time, she enjoys walking outdoors, reading, listening to music (mostly Taylor Swift), watching tv (especially historical fiction), cheering for the Leafs, and spending time with her family.
What do you enjoy most about working at IMI?
IMI has many wonderful things to offer but one of the most standout parts about IMI is the team culture. From my first day here, I’ve felt welcomed and supported. When asking for a helping hand, it’s common to end up with multiple colleagues volunteering to assist however possible. In addition to helping each other with work-related tasks, the team celebrates one another’s personal milestones such as birthdays, graduations, weddings, etc. while offering a shoulder to lean on and empathy in tough times.
Moreover, everyone is dedicated to creating an excellent experience for the IMI students. It’s inspiring to see the staff, students, and faculty implement IMI’s vision to “solve the world’s most complex challenges and make it a better place for all”. I initially had a traditional view of IMI’s educational approach, equating it to a typical lecture-based learning style. However, the courses are cross-disciplinary, rooted in an experiential model, and the learning far exceeds the classroom walls. Students often participate in projects such as live-cases or case competitions aimed at using their knowledge to solve real-world problems.
How has your teaching background impacted the work you do here at IMI?
Teaching requires a lot patience and the ability to see and meet student needs; even in a busy classroom it’s important to recognize each student’s unique and individual personality. This impacts my work at IMI because I try to be mindful of each student’s circumstances, being as helpful and empathetic as possible. Many students are new to the campus, or even the country, and trying to navigate financial deadlines, academic responsibilities, along with their personal lives can be overwhelming. I try to embody the values of care, help, and understanding from a classroom setting into my administrative roles.
Do you have any advice for young professionals considering a pivot in career?
Young professionals face a lot of pressure to follow a career trajectory that suggests success is measured by climbing a ladder, with a clear point A to B and so on. However, success can also mean veering off a straight path and trying something new. My advice is not to be guided by fear. For example, don’t let the fear of starting all over or fear of failure keep you somewhere that feels unfulfilling. It was my childhood dream to be a teacher, and I felt I was betraying that dream by trying something else. However, joining IMI gave me a chance to work in an academic setting, while also expanding my professional skills. I learned I really enjoy a career that involves a mix of tasks from administrative to event planning.
You are passionate about your work on the IMI EDI committee. What do you hope to see them accomplish in the next few years?
We’re excited about multiple initiatives taking place within the EDI committee, but one that we are all looking forward to is further diversifying the IMI student body. As mentioned before, IMI’s vision is to solve the world’s complex problems. These problems impact people from all walks of life, and the students looking to solve these problems should be reflective of the real world. Representation matters and as the student body continues to diversify over the years, we hope people from different races, religions, socio-economic backgrounds etc. can see themselves at IMI and be part of the success stories.
Also, EDI can sometimes be a siloed topic in the workplace, but our goal is to naturally embed EDI concepts into multiple parts of IMI. For example, instead of sharing resources and ideas with just the EDI committee, if the topic was embedded into all-staff meetings, EDI efforts can advance for the entire unit.
What is your favourite book?
It’s difficult to pick just one, but I will have to go with Anne of Green Gables. Although it’s a children’s novel, I read it in my early 20s and was taken aback by how the same identity issues faced by women 100 years ago, still resonate with me today. Coming of age is difficult to navigate, especially when making the leap from girlhood into womanhood. I especially admire how the book highlights platonic love between friends, siblings, and even strangers. As we see from Anne, we can all benefit from romanticizing the mundane things in life, and I’m sure all kindred spirits agree!