Fourth year production student Jeanette Reyes wins Personal Development Career Boost Award
Each year, the Ryerson Career Boost Awards celebrate students who participated in the university’s Career Boost Program and their achievements. This year, fourth year Production student Jeanette Reyes won the Personal Development Award for her outstanding work as Communication and Administration Support at the School of Performance in the summer of 2021!
The Personal Development Award recognizes an individual who has made an impact in fostering a collegial environment, using exceptional interpersonal skills to proactively seek out collaborative ways to work with colleagues in their department, and across the university community and beyond. Nominees are evaluated based on achievement, attitude, contribution, interpersonal skills and teamwork.
“Jeanette entered the summer with clear goals of personal development in the areas of professional communications and outreach,” shares Madeline Smith, Communication and Reception Coordinator at the School of Performance and Jeanette’s former supervisor. Over their summer working together, Madeline observed as Jeanette’s communication skills “flourished,” as she translated “strong initial impressions into warm relationships.”
One of Jeanette’s major tasks in her role was researching and developing content for the School of Performance’s 50th Anniversary. Madeline particularly highlighted her work on the What’s In A Name? article, which dove into the origins of the named studios within the school.
“These communications opened up channels with key stakeholders whom, in some cases, the school had lost touch with. The past faculty were left impressed by Jeanette, and the caliber of student at their old place of employment. Jeanette collected everything she learned into a thoughtful story, celebrating each of these important individuals.”
In addition to the excellent quality of her work, Jeanette was an enthusiastic teammate, and took it upon herself to foster community with her peers. “Jeanette led the group in weekly check in/check out meetings, involving creative activities, games, and goal setting activities that fostered a collaborative, collegial environment which supported the group in cheering each other on, requesting help as they needed it, and staying focused.”
Jeanette originally took the big leap and moved from her hometown Winnipeg to Toronto in 2018, to join the Production + Design program. Throughout the years, her passion for learning has grown, and she finds herself immersed in research, performance studies and simulation. Now in her fourth year, Jeanette is taking as many courses as she can as she has fallen in love with learning new skills. After graduation she plans to continue pursuing education in the performing arts sector.
“Attending Performance at the Creative School has not only helped me realize my goals, but also provided me with life-long connections with staff, students, and faculty. I would even say that they are family, and they’ve made me feel at home.”
Congratualtions, Jeanette!
