ALUMNI DIARY

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Supporting tomorrow’s urban planners

As a Ryerson Planning Alumni Association (RPAA) board member, Julie Tyndorf, Urban and Regional Planning ’09, helps students prepare for the field. RPAA offers mentoring, networking opportunities, financial awards and a spring reception. As last year’s chair, Tyndorf led planning for the May 2017 reception, which attracted 300 people and 53 industry sponsors, and raised $35,000.

“We want students to know they have a community to support them at school and as they move into their careers,” says Tyndorf, ERA Architects associate and an instructor in the School of Urban and Regional Planning (SURP).

Tyndorf volunteers to thank SURP not only for preparing her for a rewarding career, but for supporting her through a family health crisis while a student. It also honours her late father, Ted Tyndorf, Toronto’s former chief planner who was also a Ryerson urban planning graduate.

“I know giving back in this way was important to my dad, and it’s something he transferred to me.”

—Sharon Aschaiek

How to leverage your alumni network 5 ways to raise your profile for the career you want.

1. JOIN AN ALUMNI GROUP
Run by alumni volunteers, these groups host professional and social events. 40 alumni groups are listed on the alumni website.

2. ATTEND UNIVERSITY EVENTS
The university hosts events that are open to the public. Attending a few a year will keep you informed and help connect you with like-minded people.

PRO TIP
Make sure your contact information is current so you hear about upcoming events.

3. JOIN THE LINKEDIN ALUMNI GROUP
The Ryerson University Alumni group has close to 16,000 members. Join, post discussions and contribute to conversations – you’ll get noticed for the value you’re adding.
linkedin.com/groups/3813

4. CREATE YOUR MAGNET PROFILE
This service matches your skills to jobs employers are trying to fill. Oh … and it delivers those job openings right to your inbox!
magnet.whoplusyou.com

5. SHARE YOUR EXPERTISE
Did you publish a book? Would you like to be a guest speaker at an event? Want to try your hand at blogging about an experience or topic that you’re passionate about? Apply to be one of our alumni experts!
ryerson.ca/alumni

ILLUSTRATION BY LEEANDRA CIANCI; PHOTOGRAPH (AWARDS) RAY YABUTA