Hugo, a graduate from Pathways Verdun, is now in his third year of undergraduate studies at the University of Quebec in Montreal. He is pursuing a degree in Communications and Digital Media, with plans to continue his studies in a master’s program in the same field. In his free time, Hugo represents his university at events in local high schools. He also volunteers as an alumni ambassador for Pathways to Education.
Hugo is as responsible as he is adventurous. And through the Pathways Program, he found the perfect way to bring these two qualities together: travelling. One of his most memorable experiences during his five years in the program was a trip to Nova Scotia. “Before Pathways, I had never really left Montreal or Quebec. A lot of people travel at a young age with their families, but I never had that opportunity.”
Since then, Hugo has traveled to four countries, including a trip to Brazil with a friend from the Pathways Program. To balance his love of traveling with his studies, he carefully organizes his budget and activities using the skills he learned in the Pathways Program. “When I traveled with Pathways, we had weekly meetings,” Hugo recalls. “We managed fundraising activities, researched things to do in the destination, and then figured out what fit within our budget. It taught us that responsibility is an important aspect of travel.”
Even outside traveling, Hugo blends curiosity with practicality. For his major, he chose Communications and Digital Media—something he knew would challenge him creatively while offering solid job prospects and access to a targeted scholarship available for labour-shortage related careers in Quebec. Outside of his studies, Hugo works part-time representing his university at school fairs organized at local high schools. He enjoys the opportunity to help students figure out their path after high school, just like Pathways did for him. “The Pathways Program really helped me find my first job,” Hugo explains. “Creating my first resume wasn’t easy, but the Pathways staff helped me highlight my strengths, my volunteer experiences, and my skills. They were proud of me when I started applying for jobs.”
More recently, Hugo has reconnected with Pathways. He became one of the newest alumni ambassadors for the program and now represents the Verdun community that he knows so well. He’s excited to take on this new challenge of mobilizing and representing other Pathways graduates. For him, it’s the perfect way to share the same enthusiasm he discovered in the program. “Pathways was a great way to make friends, do activities like cooking or sports, access a scholarship or get help with my homework,” Hugo says. “I could go there ten times in one week and still feel the motivation and energy of the staff and volunteers.”