UFV’s Alumni Engagement and UFV’s CECE are proud to host a Career Month event on finding your own career path! Pave Your Own (Career) Path brings together UFV alumni to share how they found success in shaping their careers. We ask them to recall their (post-) undergraduate memories at UFV and what sparked their newfound passion that has led them to where they are today.

Register

Nov 15, 2023
1 PM – 3 PM
Location: Online via Zoom

 

Speakers

Heather Sye  (BA Soc ’10)

Heather is the Vice President of Sales Operations and Head of Global Sales at Automation Hero, an Artificial Intelligence startup based out of San Francisco. She works with large companies such as major banks, manufacturing companies and Insurance companies by automating business processes and leveraging data to become more competitive.

Heather holds an MBA from the prestigious European University I.E., a Master’s in International Studies from SFU and a BA in Sociology and Anthropology from UFV. Her career so far has allowed her to work all over the world including Qatar, South Africa, and Colombia.

 

Robyn Mertin (BA Social Work ’11)

Robyn Mertin is a Ch’iyaqtel First Nations member from Chilliwack, and currently employed by the Fraser Salish Region of the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) as a Health Human Resource Specialist (HHRS).

After completing a few Business courses at UFV, she discovered her passion for working alongside people, and obtained her Social Service Diploma in 2009 and Bachelor of Social Work Degree in 2011. Upon completion of her degree, Robyn gained employment working with Indigenous children and families as a Social Worker at Fraser Valley Aboriginal Children and Family Service Society (FVACFSS – Xyolhemeylh). This work, although very rewarding, was heavy on her heart and after she had children, she decided to make a career change.

When she returned to work, Robyn was once again working with Indigenous children and their families as an Indigenous Education Assistant. After working as an Indigenous EA for nearly 3 years, the opportunity to work with FNHA arose. As the HHRS, her role is to support the region with our goal to increase the number of First Nation people in health careers. This work may be done at the front-line level in communities and schools, or behind the scenes with programs or government changes. Despite not having experience in Health or Human Resources, her identity as an Indigenous woman, paired with her education, training, and previous work experience has lead her to pursue this career path.