Career Cafe brings together KPE undergrads with alumni who used their kinesiology degrees as a foundation to launch successful careers in fields as diverse as health care, law, science, education and marketing. The common theme? None of them knew exactly what they wanted to do with their degrees and those who did were sometimes forced to change their plans. And that was okay.
Stephanie Rudnick had it all figured out. The Bachelor of Physical Health and Education (BPHE) graduate and Varsity Blues basketball player was going to complete her degree in five years, become an OUA all-star and then continue to play basketball in Europe over the next few years. Rudnick did become an OUA all-star, but her father’s terminal cancer diagnosis, coupled with her back injury, put a halt on her plans for a basketball career in Europe. Allowing herself time to grieve the loss of two of the most important things in her life, Rudnick reassessed her options and decided to start an elite basketball camp, which over time became the very successful chain of Elite Camps. And the woman who admits to not being the best writer in university, became an author and motivational speaker.
Rudnick shared the story of her career trajectory at the annual Career Café, organized by the KPE Undergraduate Association and the Alumni and Advancement Office, with support from the U of T Career Centre. The event brings together KPE undergrads with alumni who used their kinesiology degrees as foundation for successful careers in fields as diverse as health care, law, science, education and marketing. The common theme? None of them knew exactly what they wanted to do with their degrees and those who did were sometimes forced to change their plans. And that was okay.
Fourth year KPE student Breanna Bitondo took this thought to be her favourite tip of the evening. “I’m graduating in less than two months and I’ve been very nervous trying to figure out what my life would be, but after hearing all the people talk tonight it’s reassuring just to hear them say "It’s okay, you don’t have to know for sure, take it step by step and you’ll be on your way.""
Professor Ira Jacobs, dean of KPE, said he understood the stress of deciding on a career, but that he hoped this event will inspire students by the breadth and the depth of what people who graduated with a similar degree have achieved.
“The comprehensive nature of a KPE degree positions students extremely well to be able to take advantage of a range of opportunities. I wish to congratulate the students in this program for making such a wise choice,” Jacobs said.
After each of the alumni had a chance to speak briefly about their fascinating career paths, some of which involved learning about indigenous medicine in the Amazon and teaching Bedouin women with diabetes how to exercise, they spent the rest of the evening chatting with individual students interested in pursuing similar work.
Brenaven Kugamoorthy was really eager to speak to Rudnick. “I came to the program not knowing much. I’m passionate about basketball and I know I want to do something with sports, so I was thinking of opening up my own business. Stephanie Rudnick really got me inspired. She was in the same program as me and she played basketball. Now she runs one of the biggest sport camps in the country and I want to know how she did it,” said the first year KPE student.