The Inroads/Toronto Alumni Association » Alumni Profiles

Alumni Profile – Reuben Fernandes

admin — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:08:11 +0000

Age: 22
Lives in: Toronto
Lived in: Saudi Arabia
Graduated from: Richard Ivey School of Business – University of Western Ontario
Years as an Intern:
2006: P&G – Assistant Brand Manager on Herbal Essences
2007: P&G – Assistant Brand Manager on Head & Shoulders
2008: P&G – Customer Finance Analyst
Current Employer/Position: P&G – Assistant Brand Manager, Swiffer

How did you hear about INROADS? I heard about Inroads through a campus event when I was in my first year of University. I had no idea that the program would have such a large and sustained impact on my life.

How has the program helped your career? The program has greatly aided my career aspirations. I knew early on in my school years that I wanted a career that provided me with real leadership opportunities, meaningful project ownership and learning. My brand role at P&G provides me with these opportunities and allows me to pursue continuous learning everyday.

What were some of the best things about the INROADS program? The Inroads program in Toronto has a heavy focus on training and ensuring interns develop the right skill sets to meet and exceed expectations during their internships. The extended training sessions provided me with the opportunity to share my experiences with fellow interns, while at the same time allowing me to learn from their experiences. These sessions provided me with some of my fondest memories from Inroads and kicked off life long friendships.

What advice would you give to someone starting out with INROADS? My main piece of advice to new Inroads interns would be – take nothing for granted. You’ve worked hard to get where you are and continued consistency in your work rate will be rewarded.

What advice would you give to current IAA members? It’s easy to let Inroads slip to the bottom of your priority list once you graduate and start full-time. I would really like to stress how important it is to give back to the Inroads community and mentor new Inroads interns. As Inroads alumni, we have the ability to make a huge impact on the next generation of future leaders.

Alumni Profile – Christopher Cruz

admin — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:53:55 +0000

Age: 25
Lives in: Los Angeles
Lived In: San Francisco, Toronto
Graduated from: University of Western Ontario – Richard Ivey School of Business
Years as an Intern: 2003-2004
Interned with: Pitney Bowes (Toronto and London, Ontario)
Current Employer/Position: Oaktree Capital Management / Associate in the Principal Opportunities Group
Previous Employer/Position: UBS Investment Bank (San Francisco), BMO Nesbitt Burns – Investment Banking (Toronto)

How did you hear about INROADS? My sister, Christine Cruz, was an INROADS intern at Kraft Foods during the summers of 2000 and 2001 in both the Sales and Consumer Relationship Marketing departments. After seeing the incredible experience that she was having with INROADS in terms of professional development, career opportunities, meeting other motivated young people, and giving back to the community I had to join.

How has the program helped your career? If I had to identify one thing that I took away from the INROADS program in terms of career development it would be the introduction and development of soft skills. It is amazing how much a young person can take away from weekend sessions on professional behavior, communications and speaking, “managing upwards”, etc. when you can utilize them real-time in your internship. I find myself using these soft skills everyday in my career and credit INROADS for introducing them to me early on – giving me the opportunity to cultivate as my career progresses.

What were some of the best things about the INROADS program? The best thing about INROADS is the people that you meet and how well you get to know them. Rarely do you get the opportunity to become a part of an organization that attracts such similarly motivated young talent. However, I believe that it takes an exceptional organization to also facilitate the closeness that you develop with your fellow INROADers that makes INROADS special. It is truly encouraging to hear about what drives all of your fellow INROADers and amazing when you realize that it in turn drives you.

What were some of your most memorable / funny experiences? Everything about LDI was a memorable and fun experience! If I had to pick one moment though it would have to be learning how to “glide” (hip hop dance move) in the hallway of the hotel at LDI… from a Schulich accountant no less!

What advice would you give to someone starting out with INROADS? Be involved. Its easy to go along for the INROADS ride but it is truly an experience that gives you more when you give more. By this I mean; organize and lead events, attend all weekend sessions refreshed and ready to participate, get to know everyone you can.

What advice would you give to current IAA members? Be sure to find time to give back. As busy as we can get its easy to find excuses but, even something as small as helping reconnect a few other IAA members and strengthening the organization is a form of giving back. Only with the lens of hindsight have I realized how much the INROADS organization has done for me so giving back and helping those whose shoes we once were in is the least we can do.

Alumni Profile – Sid Vittal

admin — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 04:18:22 +0000

Age: 26
Lives in: London, U.K.
Graduated from: London School of Economics; MSc (Finance)
York University, Schulich School of Business, BBA
Years as an Intern: 2002-2004
Interned with: Liberty International Underwriters and CIT Financial
Current Employer/Position: Calyon/Infrastructure Finance

How did you hear about INROADS?
Word of mouth (Inroads alumni)

How has the program helped your career?
The program has been instrumental in helping me build mycareer. The work experience, soft skills, training, and networking that Inroads provides is invaluable.

What were some of the best things about the INROADS program?
The best thing about the Inroads program apart from having amazing jobs with amazing companies is the opportunity to meet young highly motivated, interesting and intelligent people. Many of the people I have met have had a lasting impact on my life. I have met many individuals during my time at Inroads with whom I have built lasting friendships.

What were some of your most memorable / funny experiences?
There are plenty! I hope I don’t get in trouble for this but the funniest thing I recall is failing to wake up for a session at the LDI and trying to hide in the bathroom stalls from Richard!

How did Richard Pinnock add value to your experience with INROADS?
Richard Pinnock is a great leader and mentor. His passion and dedication to the organization is an inspiration to us all. Personally, Richard has been a mentor to me since my time at Inroads. He has provided me career guidance, advice and inspired me to achieve excellence. What I admire most about him is his genuine oncern for others’ well being. I have sought his counsel many a time outside of Inroads and he has never hesitated to help or go far beyond what one would expect. I know that I can always trust him to discuss anything and to come up with solutions for even the most difficult issues. I know no better ambassador for the program. He will be dearly missed.

What advice would you give to someone starting out with INROADS?
I would advise students to be proactive in all areas of the program. Students are usually proactive at work, but they don’t always carry that into other aspects of the program and hence, fail to fully benefit from the program. The training sessions, career development advice, networking opportunities with both alumni and fellow peers and giving back to the community are all equally important. These activities are invaluable and cannot be measured in monetary terms.

Alumni Profile – Ricky Neckles

admin — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 19:53:37 +0000

Age: 23
Lives in: Toronto, Ontario
Graduated from: University of Toronto
Program: Mechanical Engineering (BASc)Years as an Intern: 2003-2006
Interned with:
2004: Nortel: Junior Verification Engineer Intern
2005: Nortel: Network Engineer Intern -Technology and New Product Introduction
2006: Nortel: Business Development Intern – Canada Region Sales
Current Employer/Position: TNTech Canada, Owner

How did you hear about INROADS?
I heard about INROADS from a past INROAD’s candidate on the TTC.

How has the program helped your career?
The program has given me the confidence and the skill set to excel in the corporate and business world. In addition it has given me real life work experience, which differentiated me from my peers upon graduation.

What were some of the best things about the INROADS program?
The network of high achieving interns and the continuous career development opportunities.

What were some of your most memorable / funny experiences?
Freestyle battle on the bus trip to Framington, Massachusetts for LDI, in summer 2004. I developed relationships with some fellow interns that are strong to this very day.

How did Richard Pinnock add value to your experience with INROADS?
“Manage your Brand,” I took Richard’s sayings very serious, my brand management has been critical to my entrepreneurial success to this day and will continue to be moving forward.

What advice would you give to someone starting out with INROADS?
Do not let others set artificial limitations for your career. Define who you are (your product), define who has a need for your skills (your market), differentiate your self from your peers (establish your brand), and watch the infinite return on your career.