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Home » GRADitude 2021 Speaker Series

GRADitude 2021 Speaker Series

GRADitude sessions feature successful alumni discussing a range of different personal and professional development topics to support graduating students, new grads and young alumni as they transition to their careers.

Each GRADitude session includes a presentation, followed by a Q&A period where the audience will have an opportunity to ask questions. These sessions are delivered in partnership with the Career and Education Development Centre.

Visit our main GRADitude page to see past sessions.

Ted Tsiakopoulos (BA ’94, MA ’96) outlines the economic challenges that young people face and shares ways that Millennials and Gen Z can move closer to achieving their goals of renting or owning a home. Registrants learn:

  • The challenges facing Millennials and Gen Z regarding the future of housing in Canada  
  • The skills needed to be financially independent and resilient in the face of change 
  • Programs available through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) that help support young Canadians  

Ted Tsiakopoulos is a professional economist and sought after speaker with over 30 years of experience analyzing housing and financial markets. Over his professional career, his commentary and research have been widely quoted across major media outlets such as Money Magazine, BNN, CTV and CBC.  

In June 2020, he co-authored a book titled Property Trendsetters - highlighting how GenZ needs to prepare for the economic and real estate disruptions that are coming. Ted received a master’s degree in economics from York and also studied at the London School of Economics in the UK. 

WATCH ON YOUTUBE

Join LA&PS alumna Darci Taylor, CHRL (BA ’97), CEO of HR Compass, to learn how you can best prepare yourself for success as virtual interviews become the new normal. Darci’s presentation will help prepare you for the three phases of the virtual interview process. You’ll learn:

  • How to prepare for a virtual interview
  • Tips on being your best self during the interview
  • The best ways to follow up after your interview

With over 20 years of national leadership experience, Darci Taylor is a progressive Human Resources consultant. Darci graduated from York with a bachelor’s degree in economics and went on to pursue a post-graduate diploma from Humber College in Human Resources Management.

Darci also pursued a professional coaching certificate from Adler Graduate Professional School. Her background includes working with professional services firms, not-for-profit organizations, retail enterprises, healthcare, manufacturing, distribution and creative agencies. Darci has a proven track record helping organizations and business leaders evolve their unique organizational challenges into meaningful and strategic ideas and solutions.

REGISTER FOR APRIL 27

Wondering how using LinkedIn effectively can enhance your job search? Curious about how to leverage LinkedIn's features to build your professional network? Attend this webinar led by York’s Career and Education Development Centre and find out! You’ll learn:

  • Tips to create a strong profile
  • How recruiters use the website so you can stand out
  • Ways to build a network to help you reach your career goals
  • LinkedIn features to help you build your brand and professional online presence

Presenter Surina Sohal (BA ’11) is employer and alumni liaison working in York’s Career and Education Development Centre. As an alumna, Surina’s ultimate goal is to help students reach their full potential and achieve career success in addition to connecting progressive employers with hardworking and qualified candidates

REGISTER FOR MAY 25

Join certified financial planner Cindy Marques (BA ’12) to learn about how social media can impact your spending behaviors and what you can do to create better money habits.  You'll learn:

  • How to take conscious command over your money mindset.
  • How to address your spending ‘cravings’ or triggers, and shift your financial habits.
  • How to manage your cash flow and debt in a simple and stress-free way.
  • Where to access financial literacy resources.

Cindy Marques specializes in working with Millennials to help them overcome money stress, pay off debt, grow their wealth and achieve financial freedom. She believes that financial literacy is the ultimate tool for building wealth, and is on a personal mission to educate and empower her peers with the essential skills for financial success. Learn more at her website.

REGISTER FOR JUNE 29

A special thank you to our preferred partners:

Having a York University degree is a very positive thing in the eyes of these financial services providers. Tens of thousands of alumni like you have already unlocked preferred rates, special insurance coverage and bonus points – simply because they graduated from York.

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