TMU students share how they found real-world experiences in Toronto
Hey, it’s Ido, fourth-year Image Arts: Film student and your Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) student ambassador! I was drawn to TMU for many reasons, not the least of which was studying in the heart of Toronto, Canada’s biggest city.
Toronto is a leading hub for multiple sectors like health care, entertainment, business and technology, just to name a few. Being close to these industries means forming valuable connections with working alumni, being taught by instructors who are industry professionals and having greater access to co-op and internship opportunities. Learning in a classroom environment is one thing, but learning through doing is another. 100% of TMU’s undergraduate programs offer experiential learning, which is a way to build experience and skill sets related to your profession before you graduate university.
In the Image Arts: Film program, we create short films every semester. This year, we’re working on a year-long project for the MPF 430 Capstone Project course. We’re encouraged to take advantage of Toronto’s film community to find actors, costumes, gear (if what we’re in need of isn’t available at the Technology Resource Centre) and more. I spoke with some other TMU students and asked them about the benefits of studying in Toronto. Here’s what they had to say!
Elliot, Professional Music
Ido: How has Toronto shaped your student experience and opportunities?
Elliot: Toronto is the epicentre of popular music in Canada, so I’ve been exposed to tons of music and musicians that I wouldn’t have otherwise known, which has been incredible. I moved here from Edmonton, Alberta, which has a thriving music scene, but few opportunities to branch into the larger global music scene. I’ve gotten to watch my friends perform at Massey Hall, volunteer for Billboard events, and meet people who work in music all over the world. It’s really exciting.
I: Can you share a specific Toronto-based experiential learning opportunity you participated in?
E: Lately I’ve been playing bass in the backing band for pop artist Ryan Sykes, who I met through the program. We opened for Professional Music alumna Carina at her Pink Halloween show. At our last show we opened for Sara Maria to a sold-out crowd at the Burdock Music Hall.
I: How do you envision the experiential learning you gained at TMU and in Toronto impacting your career path after graduation?
E: In today’s music industry, it’s good to be a jack of many trades. Right now I’m focused on working as a session musician and audio engineer, which I’ve been able to pursue both in class (RTA 311 Intermediate Audio Production and BPM 301/BPM 302 Performance Production) and outside of class with people I’ve met at TMU.
Ria, Journalism
Ria prepares to deliver a live TMU Bold sports update, or a “live hit,” at the Mattamy Athletic Centre for JRN 314 Reporting for TV Workshop.
Ido: How has Toronto shaped your student experience and opportunities?
Ria: It’s given me access to opportunities that I wouldn't have had anywhere else. As a Journalism student, I've been able to kick start my career by covering events and breaking news in the city. I've also been able to network with industry professionals such as journalists from local newsrooms and freelancers.
I: Can you share a specific Toronto-based experiential learning opportunity you participated in?
R: After I completed JRN 314 Reporting for TV in the fall of 2024, our professor, Nicole Blanchett, organized a CBC tour for our class. It was a great experience to see how the CBC's Toronto newsrooms operate. Seeing the studios and control rooms motivated me to continue my career in broadcast journalism.
I: How do you envision the experiential learning you gained at TMU and in Toronto impacting your career path after graduation?
R: I'm confident that the skills and networks I've made over the last 4 years will pay off after I graduate. I'm grateful for how we are considered journalists when we start the program rather than once we graduate. Having access to high-grade equipment and working in studio spaces like Studio D in the Rogers Communications Centre has put me in practical environments where I can learn, make mistakes and grow as a journalist. We are encouraged to apply for professional opportunities while in the program, which I think helps set us up for success once we graduate.
Latif, Business Management (Real Estate Management)
Latif at the Toronto Global Forum.
Ido: How has Toronto shaped your student experience and opportunities?
Latif: Instead of learning about business and real estate in the abstract, I’m studying in the same city where major deals, developments and policy decisions are being made every day.
The presence of TMU alumni and industry professionals on campus has pushed me to network earlier, take on more responsibility and think bigger about my career. Being here has turned my degree from something purely academic into something that’s closely tied to the city’s economy and the people who drive it.
I: Can you share a specific Toronto-based experiential learning opportunity you participated in?
L: My real estate internships at IKO Industries and CT Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) are perfect examples. Because the Ted Rogers School of Management (TRSM) building is located in downtown Toronto, I’ve been able to learn in a classroom that’s a short walk or subway ride from Bay and King, where many of the REITs and lenders and advisory firms we discuss in lectures are actually based. Networking events, alumni panels, seminars, guest lectures and employer visits hosted by TRSM connected me directly with professionals from prominent Bay Street and Greater Toronto Area firms, which opened the door to roles where I worked with real assets and portfolios based in and around Toronto. That combination of a downtown campus, a dense alumni and employer network and constant exposure to industry events is very specific to studying at TRSM in this city.
I: How do you envision the experiential learning you gained at TMU and in Toronto impacting your career path after graduation?
L: After graduation, I see myself working in real estate and infrastructure investing or asset management, ideally with an institutional platform that is active across Canada and globally but rooted in cities like Toronto. The experiential learning I’ve had — working in brokerage, real estate law, investments and student-facing roles — has given me a strong foundation in how deals are sourced, evaluated and managed in practice. Being in Toronto has also allowed me to start building relationships with professionals on Bay Street, which is essential for the type of career I want in finance and real assets. Those experiences have made my goals feel achievable, because I’m already getting a taste of the work, the pace and the expectations of the industry I want to join.
Jasmann, Business Management (Marketing Management)
Ido: How has Toronto shaped your student experience and opportunities?
Jasmann: Toronto has shown me there are so many opportunities inside the city, whether it’s related to my career or exploring my passion for indoor rock climbing.
Most importantly, a big city like Toronto offers immense networking opportunities. Overall, the fast-paced nature of the city keeps me excited and has introduced me to so many new people. This has enhanced my student experience.
I: Can you share a specific Toronto-based experiential learning opportunity you participated in?
J: I worked in a marketing co-op for a health care company called Spectrum Health Care. This was done through the co-op program, and I was fortunate enough to work closely with the company's marketing manager and chief operating officer as the brand acquired a new company in Quebec. I would go into the office and meet so many different professionals from my company. I was also fortunate enough to lead major revamps to our foot care service line and even delivered presentations at our Toronto office.
I: How do you envision the experiential learning you gained at TMU and in Toronto impacting your career path after graduation?
J: I think participating in the co-op program has directly influenced my career choices after graduation. After completing my last co-op I have realized that product management would be the best path for me. Toronto would be a great city to begin developing my career because of the multiple tech and banking companies actively hiring product managers.
Gurpreet, Nutrition and Food
Ido: How has Toronto shaped your student experience and opportunities?
Gurpreet: I’m surrounded by public health organizations, hospitals and community programs, all within walking distance of campus. Being in the heart of the city has made it easy to volunteer, learn and prepare for my future career as a dietitian.
Even though commuting can be tough, being here has pushed me to grow and feel more confident navigating busy environments and meeting people from all walks of life. Toronto has made me more open, adaptable and ready for a career in a diverse setting.
I: Can you share a specific Toronto-based experiential learning opportunity you participated in?
G: My most unique Toronto experience was working as a field apprentice at the TMU Urban Farm. This is a program that operates across the university’s rooftop growing spaces on the Daphne Cockwell Health Sciences Complex and George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre buildings. I loved interacting with community members during market and tour days, and I had the chance to collaborate with volunteers, staff and visitors regularly. Through the farm, I developed strong communication and leadership skills, and I created educational resources like brochures and flyers that connected rooftop-grown foods to nutrition. It was an experience that blended community engagement, sustainability and experiential learning in a way that feels distinct to Toronto.
I: How do you envision the experiential learning you gained at TMU and in Toronto impacting your career path after graduation?
G: I hope to pursue a career in women’s health and community nutrition, where I can combine clinical knowledge with public health and culturally responsive care. The counselling course FNP 350 Interpersonal Comm/Counselling Nutrition really solidified my passion for nutrition and community service, and my experiential learning on campus and across Toronto through volunteer experiences, has really strengthened those interests. Being in the city has helped me build confidence, especially as I’ve had the opportunity to interact with diverse groups of people in busy community settings.
Ahmed, Aerospace Engineering
Ahmed inside the Global 7500 business jet as part of his internship at Bombardier.
Ido: How has Toronto shaped your student experience and opportunities?
Ahmed: By helping me connect with people from many backgrounds and become a stronger communicator. Through networking events, I’ve met professionals like airline pilots and aerospace engineers, which has opened doors and made my career goals feel more real.
I: Can you share a specific Toronto-based experiential learning opportunity you participated in?
A: At a TMU networking event in November 2022, I met my first manager at Bombardier and that connection turned into ongoing work. Now, as of January 2026, I’m a project manager intern in engineering at Bombardier. This opportunity happened because TMU’s Aerospace Engineering program has strong industry connections.
I: How do you envision the experiential learning you gained at TMU and in Toronto impacting your career path after graduation?
A: After graduation, I plan to continue building my career at the intersection of aerospace and technology. My experiential learning in Toronto has helped me explore different paths. I’ve worked on 4 teams at Bombardier: Methods Engineering, Machine Learning & AI, Data Engineering and New Product Development. Graduating with almost 4 years of industry experience makes me optimistic and confident in my direction. TMU’s Aerospace Engineering program gave me the technical foundation and problem-solving skills to succeed across each team.
Sana, Computer Science
Sana presenting her research at the Canadian Cancer Research Conference.
Ido: How has Toronto shaped your student experience and opportunities?
Sana: Toronto has shaped my student experience primarily due to the proximity of industry partners. TMU's location is very convenient in terms of being near so many companies ranging from health care, finance or technology. This has made it easier for me to attend networking events between classes and to balance working at a nearby hospital with my schedule.
I: Can you share a specific Toronto-based experiential learning opportunity you participated in?
S: TMU has a unique partnership with St. Michael's Hospital, which allowed me to work as a research assistant with Dr. Elodie Lugez and Dr. Nathan Churchill. The emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration paved the way for me to conduct research on using AI to improve treatment planning for brain cancer patients. St. Michael's Hospital is a premier hospital minutes from TMU, which made working on a meaningful project while taking a full course load possible.
I: How do you envision the experiential learning you gained at TMU and in Toronto impacting your career path after graduation?
S: After graduation, I intend to pursue graduate studies in AI research, building on the foundation I have now. Had it not been for my role as a research assistant, I never would have discovered my passion for AI research and been able to pinpoint the career I want to work towards.
Studying in Toronto means real-world experiential opportunities. At TMU, the city is not just a backdrop to our education — it’s an active part of it. From music venues and newsrooms to hospitals and corporate offices, Toronto offers opportunities to gain education in meaningful, practical ways.
If you’re searching for a university experience that involves building professional networks and gaining confidence in your career path, TMU might be just what you’re searching for!
Until next time,
Ido, your student ambassador