Student Testimonial - Alexander G

Name: Alexander G
Program: Fitness & Health Promotion Graduate and Humber Alumni
Graduate: 2019

Why did you choose Humber College?

My choice of Humber College was based on their modern and advanced teaching methods as well as hands-on learning experiences. Since Humber has several partnerships with big companies across the greater Toronto area, it was a bonus to have many internship opportunities available to me. Additionally, Humber's instructors were not only highly educated and experienced industry professionals, but they also offered a practical and theoretical learning style to provide students with the tools they needed to succeed in their chosen field. This was something I really wanted when choosing a school because I wanted to know I was in good hands and my instructors would look out for my best interest. I remain connected to the school to this day due to these amazing professors and the positive experience I had.

What are your career aspirations?

My career aspirations are to continue to build my experience and skills as a Personal Trainer and eventually work for a multidisciplinary clinic as a Registered Massage Therapist. Additionally, I will continue to build my own multidisciplinary health practice on the side, providing personal training, massage therapy, and other health services to make a greater impact on the health of others. Should the opportunity arise, I would also be interested in being a part-time instructor at Humber College's Faculty of Health Sciences & Wellness.

How have the faculty helped you on your road to reaching your goals?

The faculty at Humber College were an excellent resource for my success. With specialties in a variety of health sectors the pool of professors represented diverse career paths. This made it an exceptional learning experience because as a student I always felt supported and felt that I could openly approach a professor and ask the burning questions about a career in the health sector. This was a huge bonus for me. The professors in the program deliver the perfect balance of courses to prepare a student interested in becoming a fitness professional for the industry with courses overlapping the sciences and courses overlapping the fitness assessments that a trainer must conduct or know to open the door to the business side of the industry. It helped me as a student feel confident in my abilities upon graduation. In addition the professors also created a realistic learning environment in the classroom that made students already feel as if they were fitness professionals using the example of the mock job interviews in the business course, or the student performing fitness tests on other students, it provided them with the confidence to succeed in this sector and the support of the professors while the students worked with other students in the classrooms was exceptional and life changing.

What would you say was the single best learning experience in the program you are in?

The best single learning experience in the classroom was learning how to perform fitness assessments in which we learned how to take the blood pressure and perform screening movement tests on other students, which prepared us for the job market in the fitness industry. Second best experience was participating in an internship in the fitness or health industry. Having done my placement in a school setting in physical education, I developed a passion for education in the fitness and health industry.

What elements of the programs are best preparing you for your career?

1. How to perform fitness assessments, take peoples vitals such as blood pressure and heart rate.
2. Learning the fundamentals of anatomy, nutrition, and exercise design to helps us as fitness professionals better educate our clients.
3. How to develop a proper business plan to grow our fitness business so we can be successful fitness entrepreneurs.

Would you recommend this program to others and why?

I highly recommended this program as it prepares you for many careers in the health and fitness industry. The program also provides excellent preparation for students who wish to study health sciences at university, such as kinesiology. Finally, I recommend it to students because it allows them to learn from faculty members who are successful within the health and fitness sectors providing them with excellent guidance. Students can achieve their career goals and their teachers will always be on their side, enhancing their overall success. The program, in its entirety, is of high quality for anyone passionate about making a difference in the health sector and can open doors to many opportunities in that field.