Michelle Harris

Michelle's Experience at Humber

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

Electing to go to Humber as a mature student, I remember feeling anxious as I anticipated my return to a post-secondary environment; feeling a sense of worry that I would have a difficult time fitting in and connecting with my peers. However, my anxieties were quickly quelled as the faculty made it a priority to cultivate a welcoming and supportive atmosphere. Unlike many other post-secondary programs, where it’s entirely possible to feel like a (student) number, the faculty made a point of ensuring that I felt known and seen as a person. All other learning was built on the foundation of rapport, which made the task of going to school every day feel enjoyable and meaningful.

As a Case Manager, in my work with youth, I prioritize establishing a rapport with the young people I support, and when I reflect on my time at Humber, I realize that it was through my interactions with the faculty where I learned the value, and the impact of building relationships and being known.

Please tell us about your experience since graduating.

From my practicum with LOFT Community Services in the Transitional Age Youth (TAY) program, I was offered part-time relief employment. Since graduating, for the past six years, I have held a full-time permanent position with the TAY program as a Community Treatment Worker, supporting youth between the ages of 16-25 who are navigating the intersection of mental health and substance use. Additionally, I co-facilitate weekly Dialectal Behaviour Therapy (DBT) groups and support youth with the acquisition of skills related to mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.

What do you find most satisfying about your career choice?

I believe, for me to effectively do my job, an invitation has to be extended by each and every young person I work with. An invitation to sit with someone during their most vulnerable moments; an invitation to bear witness to their victories and their sufferings. Often, with each invitation comes a lesson, some more challenging than others. And from that, comes an opportunity for my own personal growth; an evolution of my own world view. I am necessarily influenced by each and every young person who invites me to work with them, and I am grateful for the invitations.