Erika Massoud (World Studies, 2011) turned a series of volunteer opportunities and internships into a career in the non-profit sector where she now works to defend the rights of immigrants and refugees.
Massoud’s resume is long and varied. She’s worked with the International Bureau for Children’s Rights, the Equitas International Centre for Human Rights Education, FEM International, and Oxfam-Québec.
“Once you get involved in the sector, once you do volunteer work, participate in youth programs, it opens up doors, it opens up opportunities,” she said.
She now works as a project manager for the Table de concertation des organismes au service des personnes réfugiées et immigrantes (TCRI), a provincial network that works with non-profit organizations across the province.
“We support organizations all over Quebec that offer services to immigrants, refugees, and newcomers.”
Particularly, Massoud is working on a project to help make workplaces more inclusive for immigrants and refugees.
She said her passion for this work was sparked at Champlain where she switched from IB Science to World Studies after her first semester.
“Going into World Studies was a big step for me, for my parents, to trust that it would lead to a future career in the non-profit world,” said Massoud.
On campus, Massoud was involved with student life as a member of the Green Club, Health and Wellness Club, Charity Club and volunteered as a student tour guide.
She was awarded the Andre E. Leblanc prize for contributions to student life on campus.
After college, she attended the University of Ottawa where she was able to do work terms and international placements as part of her International Development and Globalization degree.
She went on to do a Master’s in Migration and Intercultural Relations with the Erasmus Mundus international program. This program is jointly run by universities in Africa, Europe, and Asia.
Massoud said that her master’s program and the international placements she did in Bangladesh, Bolivia, and Tunisia contributed to her “international, global outlook.”
“Immigrants who arrive in Quebec, they carry with them their stories, their journeys. It’s important to understand the factors that push people to immigrate.”
Massoud’s advice for current students and recent grads: “Try new things. Don’t hesitate to get out of your comfort zone. Get involved in activities that you might not have thought you’d be interested in. Cegep is a great time to test out different things and find what you’re interested in.”
