What is the Ambassador Program? A student perspective

Welcome back, everyone! I’m back with the next blog, and this time, I’m interviewing Sophia Fischer, a fellow Level 4 Ambassador and a recent Ontario Tech graduate. Sophia shares her thoughts in this interview and reflects on her journey as an Ambassador. Let's get right into it!

Angela: Tell me a little bit about yourself.

Sophia: My name is Sophia; I am a fourth-year nursing student. I am a level four Ambassador and cannot say enough good things about the program. I am also a Senior Leader for the Faculty of Health Sciences. I plan to become an ER nurse once I graduate. I can watch trending shows on Netflix or at the gym when I'm not at practicum or studying.

Angela: Can you tell us a little bit about the Ambassador program?

Sophia: The Ambassador program is a leadership program with four levels. Students can help at various events, gain leadership experience, and receive valuable training in transferable skills while moving up the levels. This is an excellent opportunity for students to develop transferable skills, give back to their school community, and meet new people.

Angela: What’s your project for this year?

Sophia: As a level four Ambassador, students can choose between various streams to guide their project. I decided the Reflection stream. Through my reflective projects, I have shared my experiences as a student leader and fourth-year student. I have had the opportunity to complete fun projects throughout my final year and showcase through reflection what the Ambassador Program has meant to me. Over the summer, I took over an Instagram account on the @otstudentlife Instagram page! This allowed me to connect with thousands of Ontario Tech students and to share a day in my life while answering meaningful student questions. I also created a fun video featuring an amazing group of student leaders who shared their favourite parts about being Ontario Tech leaders. I recently completed a digital community submission in which I discussed my words of wisdom as a fourth-year student! I encourage you all to check it out if you have time.

Angela: What inspired you to be an Ambassador?

Sophia: My first year of university was completely online. I found it very challenging to meet new people and was afraid to step out of my comfort zone. I was also an ambassador in high school, so I felt more compelled to join the Ontario Tech Ambassador program. I am so glad I did! The program has enhanced my university experience and provided many amazing learning opportunities. I have met many like-minded students and created strong connections that will last long beyond my years at Ontario Tech. If you’re considering joining the Ontario Tech Ambassador program, you will not regret it. 

Angela: What is your favourite memory as an Ambassador?

Sophia: I have so many fond memories as an Ambassador—one of my favourite memories as an Ambassador was volunteering at Open House events. I genuinely enjoyed meeting and engaging with the incoming students. Giving back to my school community while creating connections with others is truly rewarding.

Angela: What advice do you have for first-year students?

Sophia: I wrote a submission for the Digital Community highlighting my five greatest pieces of advice for students, especially first-year students, as I understand the transition to university is not easy.

1) Get involved! Your university experience is what you make it! Getting involved adds deeper meaning to your university experience while meeting like-minded people. There are so many clubs and societies to join, so I encourage all first-years and students to join at least one :).

2) Embrace failure, as your failures are the stepping stones to success. You may fail a test or not get a great grade on an assignment, but these failures do not define your ability to succeed; only you can define that!

3) Enjoy the process. University is difficult, and you may have tough days, weeks, and even a tough semester. I challenge all first-years and students to enjoy the process and embrace the challenges of being a student. Now that I am almost done, I regret not taking more time to mindfully appreciate every assignment, test, lab, and study session I had. Your university experience will fly by before your eyes, so try to appreciate your experiences as a student mindfully.

4) Take care of yourself! Self-care is just as important as your grades. Finding the balance between school, personal commitments, and mental/physical/emotional health.

5) Help is available; it’s up to you to seek it out! Ontario Tech has fantastic resources for students, which I encourage all students to utilize.

Angela: How do you think being an Ambassador shaped you into who you are today? What skills have you developed?

Sophia: I have learned many transferable skills from the Ambassador program, which I will take to my future career.  Helping out at events has developed my communication, teamwork, and leadership skills. Problem-solving and critical thinking are two key skills I have developed while volunteering at events where I may need to adapt to changing circumstances. Further, I have learned more about myself, both my strengths and my weaknesses. This self-awareness has allowed me to create personal goals and work towards achieving them. Moreover, I have gained and developed my public speaking skills by participating in panel discussions.

Angela: Who would you recommend the Ambassador program to?

Sophia: I would recommend the Ambassador program to all incoming students and students who wish to gain meaningful learning experiences while giving back to their school community. The Ambassador program shaped my university experience. It opened the doors to many other meaningful experiences for me and has been a truly fulfilling experience. For anyone who wishes to get involved, this is a great program and opportunity to meet others and add substance to your university journey!

Angela: Looking back at your experience as an Ambassador, what do you wish you did more of?

Sophia: I wish I would have volunteered more! I loved meeting new people, especially prospective students. I wish I had volunteered at more open house events, as they brought me so much joy. 

Angela: What do you like about the Ambassador program?

Sophia: Ahh, there are so many things I like! I like how much students can gain from one program. As mentioned, the transferable skills I gained are invaluable, and my connections are meaningful. I also like how welcoming the entire Ambassador program community is! It made it easy to join stress-free and feel comfortable in my role. Furthermore, giving back to the Ontario Tech community is extremely rewarding.

Angela: Do you have anything else you want to share or tips for first-year students or future Ambassadors?

Sophia: see the tips above, or check out my Ridgeback Student Voices contributions for more details.

Angela: Thank you so much for sitting down for this interview with Sophia and me. I learned a lot and wish you all the best!