Career Blog
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Telfer students might recognize Magda Donia, a uOttawa Associate Professor of human resources management and organizational behaviour. Prof. Donia started her academic career by studying political science at McGill University. She later completed both her Masters and PhD at Concordia University. When asked why she chose to work at Telfer, Prof. Donia said: “I had a sense of the place I wanted to work – things [at Telfer] sort of flowed. There was a sense I can’t describe, but like a certainty that I could trust.”
Over the course of her career, she’s learned that she’s in an incredibly lucky spot – being able to do something that she loves with colleagues she deeply trusts. She has a fairly big passion for OB, and recommends that others interested in the field learn how to operate with the negatives; in her opinion, a PhD can be a long and difficult road full of rejection – but it’s worth it in the end.
– Magda Donia,
Associate Professor, Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
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“I have been teaching the undergraduate course in Organizational Behaviour for many years now. While I teach at all levels at the Telfer School of Management, this class is particularly close to my heart. It is a required course, which means that some students are super excited about the material, while others take it because they have to. Regardless, it is wonderful to share my passion for OB with all my students.
It is motivating to show students the relevance of OB regardless of their area of specialization. Various OB concepts have applications that extend beyond a professional setting, such family and friend relationships, or simply life in general. I like to bring in those examples in my discussions. I find that they tend to be useful for students who don’t necessarily have a ton of work experience. These examples allow them to anchor the concepts of the course with something that they are familiar with and then see the applicability of the concepts to the business world.
One of the greatest joys of that class is when I hear from my students who initially didn’t really think they would find this class useful but now they see the applicability of OB to the field that they want to go into later on in life. As a teacher, that is always rewarding.”
- Silvia Bonaccio, Ph.D.
Organizational Behaviour Professor
Note: Professor Bonaccio loves attending the @CASCOTelfer gala to support the CASCO team in their incredible fundraising efforts, which benefit the @CHEOhospital foundation. Her CHEO bear collection continues to grow year after year.
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
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“Focus and commitment. These are the keys to a better life and future. To succeed in life, just as in the game of golf, we require focus. If you lose focus, the ball won’t go where you want it to. You must be committed to the shot. Comparing Managerial Accounting to golf, there are many things in common: how the quality of the decisions we make are positively correlated with the impacts of these decisions. In life, we can make plans but sometimes it is better to leave things unpredicted and follow the path that is presented to us.
The main reason I switched to teaching was something I never expected. I was young and just completing my studies when I was asked to teach a course for the first time in my life. At the end, the students stood up and gave me a standing ovation. This was a humbling and incredibly emotional experience for me. This was the critical moment I made my decision. There has been no regret since.
As professors, we have a chance to face hundreds of students who come to listen, learn, and improve themselves. Contributing to that journey is the best dividend for me as a professor. Throughout your journey, remember the keys: stay focused and committed.”
- Fodil Adjaoud, Ph.D., FCPA, FCGA, CMA
Managerial Accounting Professor
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
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“Hey Humans of Telfer, Your Future is Promising!
Having already visited more than 40 countries before 40, I often get asked this question by students: How did you achieve such an international background? The answer is that I’ve always believed, profoundly, in my potential to succeed globally, regardless of the challenges I was facing or the countries I was living in. There are always opportunities right at your door, you only need to step out and grab them.
As a student, I was very disciplined (I almost never missed a single class across my Bachelor, Master and PhD) and fully enjoyed the courses I was taking. Having studied in multiple countries and continents, I developed a passion for international business and global management that I now share with Telfer students. The secret to achieving your goal is to constantly think about it and to always act upon it by making sure that every single step you take gets you a bit closer to it. Consistency, tenacity and focus are the key ingredients to achieving any target you set. You can do it! Best wishes toward your prime goal, dear Humans of Telfer.”
- Abdoulkadre Ado
Professor of International Business
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
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“Find something that you’re really passionate about. Your biggest value can be maximized when you really love the job you do. Be true to yourself and be honest to yourself. Consider what you really want to do instead of listening to what others say Never be afraid of making mistakes. You are still young and can still experience different things. Yet I want you to plan your career right now because I don’t want you to have regrets in the middle of your career.”
- Sheldon Weatherstone
Assistant Professor at Telfer School of Management
Acting Director (CPA Program)
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
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“Talk with confidence. People will memorize 55% of your body language, 38% of your intonation and only 7% of your words. Focus on your attitude. Without the right attitude, your aptitude will hardly bring you to a new altitude. Try to learn as much as possible in class, but don’t be nervous for the exam if you’re well prepared. The university is here to help you achieve your goal.”
- Marc Tassé
Part-time professor
MBA, CPA, CA, FCPA(USA), CICA(USA), CFF(USA), CACM(USA), Anti-Corruption Ethics and Compliance Expert
Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this weekly feature of the Telfer Career Blog will contain photography of individuals from the Telfer School of Management community and a corresponding narrative that gives us a glimpse into their lives.
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“I’ve learned that it's really important to try to expose myself to situations where I might not be very comfortable. Challenging myself to network and practice skills that I might not necessarily have naturally has really helped me become who I am today.”
- Jane O'Reilly
Organizational Behaviour Professor
