Kassandra Moutinho

Kassandra's Experience at Humber

Please tell us about your time at Humber College. What was the best part of it?

Humber was great from the very beginning to the end. Halfway through the first semester is when COVID happened and the way each staff member was involved in making sure their students were safe, comfortable, and felt confident in their studies- I found outstanding. I’ve been to a few post-secondary institutions and there was never that therapeutic relationship with students; where they cared that we have everything accessible and making sure it was also equitable. Seeing how fast they adapted to everything online was a great experience as we also got to see how this changed our world in the job of CYCP.

The aesthetics - the campus is accessible and gorgeous in all weather; highly suggest walking around and seeing the skatepark. There are also many quiet spaces to study or focus on anything to tune out external noise. I highly suggest getting to know your professors, systems that are available to you- accessibility, and other ways of joining the school at taking advantage of the things offered.

Please tell us about your experience since graduating.

Since graduating, I have been able to see how our world as CYCPs is valued within different atmospheres. Each agency/workplace may have different expectations but the role of the CYCP is always true to its definition. You are always meeting them where they are at, building that relationship with them and their adults, keeping an open mind, and getting to know where they want their goals to be and what they want them to be. This could also look different between the child/youth and their adult- so how do we as CYCP bridge the gap. You are also constantly working alongside other disciplines and setting up expectations and resources for the child/youth. It is great to learn different strategies and understanding various theories and put them into practice, but also as you get to know your child/youth you will find what fits. Also, Humber solidified what it means to be genuine and yourself, so keep this in mind as you are getting to know yourself and adapting to various your role.

What do you find most satisfying about your career choice?

The most satisfying part of my career choice is when families and/or child/youth you work with find you years later and they express all the fun things they are doing and how far they have come in their own mind. Another thing is that every day is different and fresh with new experiences, which also means that in moments of crisis, those strategies you practiced may not also work. You also get to meet a wide range of people, learn from them, and create positive experiences.