Move to UTM helps student find her way forward

Ashley Pozzo has become an expert at explaining why the University of Toronto Mississauga is the right choice for post-secondary studies. 

And prospective enrollees can rest assured – she speaks from experience. 

The fourth-year psychology student currently working as a recruitment counsellor transferred to UTM after a rocky start at a different institution. She credits the support she found at UTM for helping her find her path forward – and she’s hoping to help others do the same. 

“I want them to enjoy their experience,” she said of students considering UTM. 

Pozzo is set to graduate on Oct. 29 during the university’s fall convocation, capping off what ultimately turned out to be a positive experience. But it didn’t start that way. 

The beginning of her undergrad at her initial university was marked by feeling homesick and disconnected with her program.

“I did two months there and realized this was not for me,” said Pozzo. “I wasn’t enjoying the classes, and living away from home was just one of the things that was not working for me there.”

She transferred to the same major – life sciences – at UTM, and commuted to campus from her home in nearby Oakville, Ont. Still uncertain about her program choice, Pozzo then reached out to a UTM career counsellor for advice.

“She spent a lot of time with me going over what my interests are, and what my goals were,” Pozzo said.

“She really listened and said, ‘You know what, you really seemed to like psychology, this could be a good major for you.’ She was right.”

From there, Pozzo added two associated minors – anthropology and sociology.

As she became comfortable in her new program, she got more involved on campus, joining groups that included UTM’s mental health and fitness club, which started up during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 “We found ways to stay fit and share workout routines online,” she said. “It helped us stay socially connected during the time when we couldn’t be together in person.”

The club was just one example of UTM’s commitment to wellbeing, which she greatly appreciated.

“There were just so many more mental health supports at UTM,” she said. 

“I felt so much less anxiety when I switched to UTM. They even include six counselling sessions in tuition, which was great to know I had that if I needed it.”

UTM’s more intimate setting also helped her feel less lost in the crowd, she said.

“The classes at UTM are much smaller than other universities and you can really get to know the TAs and professors – they knew me by name,” she said. 

“They were so open to being available, with office hours and emails, and helped me get involved in research, career opportunities and activities on campus. They were a really big part of my positive experience.”

One of the opportunities that came Pozzo’s way was a work-study program that placed her in the Student Recruitment and Admissions Office at UTM as a student ambassador. 

That led to her current contract position as one of the office’s recruitment counsellors, travelling to schools and post-secondary fairs to answer questions from prospective students. 

“They can talk to me about what the programs are like – (I’m) answering questions about prerequisites, applications,” said Pozzo, who is now pursuing an online master’s degree in counselling, inspired by her recruitment experience. 

“They have a lot of stress and want to know what grade they need to have to get in or how hard the program is. But I try to encourage them with the good things about U of T and UTM.”