Riel Hishon
Why did you choose your program at UBC and what did you enjoy most about it?
I chose economics because of the great economics professors at UBC. I took ECON 101 in my first semester of first year and loved it, so I continued with ECON 102 and loved that as well. From there, I continued taking economics courses and always had great professors that I found really engaging, so I applied for it to be my major. I enjoyed its diversity as a major. In economics, you learn a lot about statistics and math, but you also learn a lot about social sciences and critical thinking, so it’s very applicable to a variety of different fields.
What were some of your most meaningful experiences at UBC?
I was part of a club called Phrateres, which was my favourite part of being a student at UBC. Through Phrateres I met so many amazing lifelong friends that I’m still in touch with. I also got to participate in so many UBC events and meet a lot of different people on campus, participating in Lace Up for Kids, Water Wars, Storm the Wall, lots of get-togethers with other clubs, helped organize a Terry Fox Run, volunteered at a charity telethon, and took a trip to Seattle—all with Phrateres.
What choices did you make at UBC that contributed to your career success / journey?
I participated in the Arts Co-op Program, which helped me explore different career options through internships and get a sense of the variety of career opportunities that exist.
The Arts Tri-Mentoring Program also helped pair me with a mentor who spoke about her experiences and gave me a lot of advice about my resume and interview skills. She’s also been a resource for me since leaving the program.
What was your first job after graduation and what other jobs did you have before your current position?
My first job after graduation from UBC was working at the City of Toronto as a summer student in the Environment and Energy Division. However, I knew that I was going to law school the following September, so I wasn’t looking for a permanent, full-time job. My first job after graduating from law school was as an articling student with the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General, which is where I currently work as counsel.
Is your current career path as you originally intended? What challenges did you face in launching your career?
I’ve wanted to be a lawyer since I was in elementary school, though during my time at UBC I occasionally thought about becoming an economist because of how much I loved my major.
The main challenges that I faced in launching my career were challenges from my personal life. I experienced the death of my dad when I was a kid and my mom got sick at the end of high school and she was really sick while I was at UBC and in law school. She died right when I finished law school. That was really hard for me to balance, both emotionally and practically, and Finishing my degree at UBC, getting into law school, and graduating from law school while balancing this situation is what I’m most proud of in my life.
What advice would you give students who find themselves in a similar situation?
I would recommend speaking with the accommodations office to let them know that you’re in this situation, so that if something happens with your parent (or other loved one) who’s sick, they’re already aware of your situation and you can access accommodations. You can also reach out to UBC Counselling Services for support.
Additionally, I found my family doctor to be a good resource. I had never spoken to them about mental health before but once I did, I found out that they had a social worker in their office who I could speak to for counselling and to connect me to resources in the community. You can also ask your parent or other loved one’s doctor if there is a support group available for family members of someone affected by their illness.
What you’re going through is really difficult and I encourage you to recognize that and give yourself credit for all that you’re going through in addition to the challenges of being a university student
What do you like about your current job and what do you find challenging? How does it relate to your degree?
My job is challenging in a lot of ways. I am constantly dealing with new issues and I’m often working under tight deadlines. However, I like that my job challenges me and that I deal with a variety of issues, which allows me to exercise different parts of my brain. I also like that I’m constantly learning. I am constantly using the critical thinking skills that I developed during my degree.
From your experience, what has been the value of having an Arts degree?
My degree has been valuable in my career and my personal life in helping me develop great critical thinking skills, knowledge of history and current events, and a deep understanding of economics.
What advice would you give to students and alumni interested in breaking into your industry?
Try to network and get to know some lawyers from different areas of law to learn more about what the practice of law is really like and what different types of opportunities exist.
What advice would you give to your first-year self?
Don’t try to do everything.
Riel Hishon
Why did you choose your program at UBC and what did you enjoy most about it?
I chose economics because of the great economics professors at UBC. I took ECON 101 in my first semester of first year and loved it, so I continued with ECON 102 and loved that as well. From there, I continued taking economics courses and always had great professors that I found really engaging, so I applied for it to be my major. I enjoyed its diversity as a major. In economics, you learn a lot about statistics and math, but you also learn a lot about social sciences and critical thinking, so it’s very applicable to a variety of different fields.
What were some of your most meaningful experiences at UBC?
I was part of a club called Phrateres, which was my favourite part of being a student at UBC. Through Phrateres I met so many amazing lifelong friends that I’m still in touch with. I also got to participate in so many UBC events and meet a lot of different people on campus, participating in Lace Up for Kids, Water Wars, Storm the Wall, lots of get-togethers with other clubs, helped organize a Terry Fox Run, volunteered at a charity telethon, and took a trip to Seattle—all with Phrateres.
What choices did you make at UBC that contributed to your career success / journey?
I participated in the Arts Co-op Program, which helped me explore different career options through internships and get a sense of the variety of career opportunities that exist.
The Arts Tri-Mentoring Program also helped pair me with a mentor who spoke about her experiences and gave me a lot of advice about my resume and interview skills. She’s also been a resource for me since leaving the program.
What was your first job after graduation and what other jobs did you have before your current position?
My first job after graduation from UBC was working at the City of Toronto as a summer student in the Environment and Energy Division. However, I knew that I was going to law school the following September, so I wasn’t looking for a permanent, full-time job. My first job after graduating from law school was as an articling student with the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General, which is where I currently work as counsel.
Is your current career path as you originally intended? What challenges did you face in launching your career?
I’ve wanted to be a lawyer since I was in elementary school, though during my time at UBC I occasionally thought about becoming an economist because of how much I loved my major.
The main challenges that I faced in launching my career were challenges from my personal life. I experienced the death of my dad when I was a kid and my mom got sick at the end of high school and she was really sick while I was at UBC and in law school. She died right when I finished law school. That was really hard for me to balance, both emotionally and practically, and Finishing my degree at UBC, getting into law school, and graduating from law school while balancing this situation is what I’m most proud of in my life.
What advice would you give students who find themselves in a similar situation?
I would recommend speaking with the accommodations office to let them know that you’re in this situation, so that if something happens with your parent (or other loved one) who’s sick, they’re already aware of your situation and you can access accommodations. You can also reach out to UBC Counselling Services for support.
Additionally, I found my family doctor to be a good resource. I had never spoken to them about mental health before but once I did, I found out that they had a social worker in their office who I could speak to for counselling and to connect me to resources in the community. You can also ask your parent or other loved one’s doctor if there is a support group available for family members of someone affected by their illness.
What you’re going through is really difficult and I encourage you to recognize that and give yourself credit for all that you’re going through in addition to the challenges of being a university student
What do you like about your current job and what do you find challenging? How does it relate to your degree?
My job is challenging in a lot of ways. I am constantly dealing with new issues and I’m often working under tight deadlines. However, I like that my job challenges me and that I deal with a variety of issues, which allows me to exercise different parts of my brain. I also like that I’m constantly learning. I am constantly using the critical thinking skills that I developed during my degree.
From your experience, what has been the value of having an Arts degree?
My degree has been valuable in my career and my personal life in helping me develop great critical thinking skills, knowledge of history and current events, and a deep understanding of economics.
What advice would you give to students and alumni interested in breaking into your industry?
Try to network and get to know some lawyers from different areas of law to learn more about what the practice of law is really like and what different types of opportunities exist.
What advice would you give to your first-year self?
Don’t try to do everything.
