We asked some fantastic entrepreneurs and creatives to tell us about their first job in their field. Check out their stories below.

Lauren Johnson

My first job in the field began before I knew what I was doing, or what I wanted to be. It began at the tender age of 1. My older brother who was eight at the time had been hit by a car when he was riding his bike. My mom needed all the help she could get. If there werent pictures of me to prove it, I would hardly remember it. Helping my mom dress wounds, pushing a wheelchair, helping to feed my brother; who at the time was learning to feed himself again. Taking care of someone else became second nature at such a young age that I knew taking care of others is what I wanted to do when I grew up, I just didnt know how I wanted to take care of others. Read more>>

Melissa Alt

The year was 2010. I was 20 years old and was employed as a certified post-partum doula. Because that’s a normal job you get after high school, right? I did really well all throughout school – Honor Society, band, chorus and theater nerd, but college never seemed to be on my horizon. I had no idea what I even wanted to do. So, instead of caving and just going to community college, I got a decent-paying job for an 18-year-old and I traveled. I did the “young adult” thing. But the doula-ing got old pretty quick. I was a glorified, wildly over-qualified babysitter but was counted on to do everything else under the sun that most certainly did not fall under my job description. Then one day out of the blue, I received a text from an acquaintance telling me that her and her husband were moving and the dental practice she worked at would need a replacement so would I be interested in potentially working as a dental assistant? My immediate thought was – HARD PASS. However! I realized that it would probably be a good idea to keep an open mind and just go and see what it was all about. And that was my introduction to dentistry…ok but the other side of dentistry. The working side! After years of assisting (which I ended up loving!), I decided to enroll in dental hygiene school to take things one step further. I’ll spare you the details of those delightful few years but almost 7 years into being a dental hygienist I have never looked back. It’s not an easy career – physically and mentally, but it’s fascinating, keeps me on my toes and when I can help a patient achieve health, it makes it all worth it. Read more>>

Alethia Cadore

When I was in high school, my goal was to graduate and become a teacher. I volunteered at the Child Guidance Clinic, where I worked with young children doing arts and crafts or physical activities while their parents attended group therapy. The therapists there would sometimes share insights from their sessions, which sparked my interest in the therapeutic field. I realized this could be a path I’d love to pursue.  After graduating, I discovered the Child and Youth Worker program. I was drawn to the idea of supporting youth who needed guidance. It was a meaningful way to channel my passion for helping young people, especially those facing challenges. I saw strength in choosing a career that was both challenging and deeply rewarding. Growing up in Toronto has offered me the ability to learn from a multicultural diverse Community  Read more>>