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This month鈥檚 SHSM Student Spotlight features Mateah Egglezos, an inspiring Business SHSM student from Leamington District Secondary School, nominated by his co-op teacher, Ms. Gia Brennan. Ms. Brennan shared that Mateah鈥檚 dedication and passion were evident throughout his summer co-op at the . Not only did he take pride in his daily tasks鈥攔anging from cataloging historical artifacts to engaging the community through social media鈥攂ut he also demonstrated a genuine commitment to preserving this local historical landmark. Ms. Brennan emphasized that Mateah鈥檚 enthusiasm, willingness to learn, and respect for the sanctuary鈥檚 mission made him an ideal candidate for this recognition.
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We caught up with Mateah to learn more about his journey in the SHSM program. Read on for his responses.
1. What initially attracted you to the SHSM program and the Business sector?
I was drawn to the Business SHSM program partly because of my dad, who also went into business and has been a big influence on me. Since my grade 9 business class, I鈥檝e been interested in this field, and having my dad鈥檚 guidance made it easier to explore. I knew about SHSM early on, as my brothers were also part of it in high school. I see it as a valuable way to prepare for university or college, helping me gain practical experience before diving into post-secondary studies.
2. Can you describe your experience at the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary? What were some of your favorite tasks?
I loved my time at the sanctuary! My role was primarily as the 鈥渟ocial media manager,鈥� but I got to do so much hands-on work, like working with geese and historical artifacts in the museum. My favorite task was driving the golf cart out into Kennedy Woods to clear the paths of any debris. Managing the sanctuary鈥檚 social media accounts鈥擣acebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn鈥攚as also really rewarding, especially as I saw our posts reach a wider audience.
3. You mentioned taking pride in your work. Can you share a specific accomplishment from your co-op that made you feel particularly proud?
There鈥檚 one post I created about the newly redesigned Jack Miner Museum that stands out. I wanted to highlight the work of another team member and, within 24 hours, the post had over 20,000 views on Facebook. Seeing those numbers made me realize how important my work was for the sanctuary鈥檚 visibility and connection with the community.
4. How did your work with the sanctuary deepen your understanding of the importance of historical landmarks in your community?
Mateah: My role required me to dig into the archives and learn about Jack Miner鈥檚 contributions, which shifted my perspective on Kingsville and the sanctuary itself. It added context to places I鈥檇 known all my life, making me appreciate the community鈥檚 history and the importance of preserving it for future generations.
5. What skills did you develop during your co-op placement that you believe will be valuable in your future career?
The biggest skills I gained were teamwork and social media management. With a small team at the sanctuary, everyone had to contribute, so I quickly learned how to collaborate effectively. Managing the social media accounts also taught me a lot about digital marketing, which I now see as a potential career path.
6. Did you face any challenges during your co-op, and if so, how did you overcome them?
Fortunately, I didn鈥檛 face many challenges. The work was interesting and straightforward, and I had plenty of support. Anytime I had questions, there was always someone to help. It was an enjoyable and fulfilling placement.
7. How has your experience in the SHSM program influenced your plans for post-secondary education or your career?
SHSM introduced me to various programs and pathways, some of which I hadn鈥檛 considered before. I鈥檓 still exploring my options for university or college, but my experience has definitely sparked my interest in business and digital marketing.
8. What advice would you give to other students considering joining the SHSM program?
I鈥檇 say go for it! SHSM offers life skills, work experience, and exposure to post-secondary pathways. The co-op experience has been my favorite part, giving me the chance to work in a unique job environment. If you鈥檙e thinking about joining SHSM, it鈥檚 definitely worth it.
9. Can you highlight someone who has been particularly supportive of your journey in the SHSM program? How did they help you?
My biggest supporters have been my parents. They introduced me to the SHSM program and have been encouraging me throughout my entire journey, supporting my choices and helping me navigate school and career planning.
10. What are your goals moving forward, and how do you plan to apply what you鈥檝e learned through your SHSM experience in the future?
I plan to attend university or college, with an interest in business. My experience at the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary has made me consider digital marketing and business management as possible career paths. I鈥檒l carry the skills I gained through SHSM鈥攖eamwork, time management, and social media management鈥攊nto whatever I pursue next.
Like what you read? Don鈥檛 miss out on more inspiring SHSM journeys! Check out last month鈥檚 Student Spotlight to learn about another student鈥檚 unique path and accomplishments through the SHSM program.
Stay tuned for next month鈥檚 feature as we continue to highlight the incredible stories of students shaping their futures across the GECDSB!