Sean Harraher

Sean's Experience at Humber

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

I attended Humber College from 2012 to 2015 in the part time/night school program to complete my Social Service Worker diploma. My classes were attended by a mix of people like me-who came from other jobs in different fields, working towards a career change to the social services. Some people were already in the field of social services working towards their diploma, and new students straight out of high school in the full-time stream who were taking occasional night courses. Due to the diversity of life experiences in my classes, I learned from others coming from different stages and walks of life. I liked learning in a group environment from my instructors and peers and of course the beauty of the wonderful nature of the south campus. Having a part time/night school path for students like me made Humber a more desirable choice for me than other colleges in Toronto that also offered the part Social Service Worker program.

Please tell us about your experience since graduating.

Since graduating, I have worked in various roles in social services. I started on the front line working with parolees and shelter residents. I later worked on the front line in supportive housing with clients struggling with addiction challenges. I then worked at a women’s shelter supporting clients with various homelessness challenges on the front line. When the pandemic happened, I helped with the move of the clients from the women’s shelter to one of Toronto’s Hotel shelters. Next, I supervised one of Toronto’s largest traditional dorm style co-ed shelters downtown Toronto. Since January of 2022, I have been working in HR in social services in a management role where my focus is to support with everything from scheduling to accommodations, to staff training, to interviewing, to attending career fairs and much more.

What do you find most satisfying about your career choice?

Helping people, whether that is helping a client in need or a staff member in need, is the most satisfying part of my career choice. I have not followed a linear path to where I am today. There are many different career paths within the field which has been a good thing for me. I very much enjoy working in a team environment to accomplish goals to help the clients and staff in need.