When Ravi-Ann Landell came to Canada from Jamaica in 2023, she knew she wanted a career built around helping people. After graduating from Centennial College’s Social Service Worker program, she found a new opportunity to do just that as a student recruitment representative at the college.
Now, Ravi-Ann helps prospective students explore their post-secondary options, and find a path that suits their goals. She’ll also be at Centennial College’s upcoming Fall Open House, helping students who register discover what the college has to offer.
Her journey shows how exploring your options, gaining hands-on experience and connecting with the right people can help you take the next step in your career.
Finding the Right Program at Centennial College
“Before I came to Canada in 2023, I studied practical nursing and phlebotomy in Jamaica,” Ravi-Ann says. “When I was doing my placement, I realized I wasn't a big fan of the cleaning that comes with nursing. I just like talking with the patients. I would build a very good rapport with them. Same thing with the phlebotomy. I loved the relationship that I was able to form with the patients.”
“I realized that the closest thing to what I love, which is connecting with people, would be social work,” she says.
When it came time to choose a college, Centennial was also a convenient option.
“I was living in Scarborough,” she says. “I lived at Kennedy and Ellesmere, and I would be at the Ashtonbee campus, which is 15 minutes away from where I live.”
Gaining Hands-On Experience in Social Service Work
At Centennial, Ravi-Ann gained practical experience through classroom activities and field placements that helped her prepare for a career in social services.
“I did get a lot of practical experience,” she says. “Aside from the courses, we would do a lot of role-plays in class. We would have actors coming in to pretend to be a client going through distress, and then we would work with those clients. I also did eight months of placement. In my third semester, I worked at the Center for Dreams as a placement student. For my 4th semester, I was there for four days a week. I was very active helping with programs, and making Individual Support Plans for the members”
Her professors and placement supervisor also played an important role in her experience.
“My favorite part of the program, I would say, is the professors I met,” she says. “You really get to learn from people who were in the industry. They're filled with knowledge, and they were supportive in everything. Even my field placement supervisor, he would motivate me and encourage me, letting me know how good I was doing.”
From Social Service Worker Graduate to Centennial College Recruiter
Ravi-Ann's experience at Centennial opened the door to another opportunity: Helping future students find their own paths, through a job as a Recruitment Representative for Centennial College.
“I knew nothing about that position, but I did get a scholarship earlier this year,” she explains. “Then I got an e-mail in June, and because I was able to get the scholarship, they knew I had the qualities and characteristics to represent Centennial.”
The role connects with her interest in supporting young people as they make important decisions about their futures.
“I always aspire to work with youth,” she says about the job, “Helping them to decide a path for their future, and like seeing them put their best foot forward.”
As a Recruitment Representative, Ravi-Ann visits schools and community centers to share information about Centennial's programs and the application process. She also takes part in presentations and speaks directly with prospective students. For Ravi-Ann, the most rewarding part of the job is the chance to connect with students and help them feel more confident about their decisions.
“It's the connection that you get,” she says, “because some people come, and they just want to ask a question and go about their business. But some of them really want that conversation. They want guidance on college, university, and what to do. Sometimes you ask them if they’re excited to almost be done with high school, and they're like, I'm so scared. I’ll be having that conversation with them, letting them know they’re okay, and no matter what their decision is, there's no wrong choice when it comes to post-secondary education.”
Why Visit Centennial College's Open House?
As someone who has experienced Centennial as both a student and an employee, Ravi-Ann understands why visiting a campus during Centennial College’s Open House can help prospective students decide where to study.
“The reason Open House is important is something I've been saying to a lot of students when I see them on the road,” she says. “You get a feel for the campus, you get a feel for the environment, you get to walk around, you get to see the classrooms. You can connect with faculty; you can connect with other students.
“You get to just get the vibe of the campus and to see, is this somewhere that I would really like to be? Is this convenient? If you transit or if you're driving, you see what it's like to get to the campus. You get to check out the campus, you get to check out the facilities and see if they're suitable for you, if it's something that you like. If you have any specific questions, you get to see the faculty, you get to talk to them about those specific questions. You get to see the people that you're going to be able to network with. That's why open house is important.”
Ravi-Ann also encourages prospective students to look for programs that offer practical learning and opportunities to learn from people with industry experience.
“You're learning from people who are in the industry,” she says. “That's very, very important, because they know what is required for you to be successful. And most of the classes are very hands-on, so the equipment you’re working on is the equipment you’re going to use when you leave Centennial, and get into the industry. That's very important to prepare you for what's outside.”
Start Your Centennial College Journey at Fall Open House
Ravi-Ann's journey from Social Service Worker student to Centennial College recruitment representative is an example of how a college education can help you explore your interests, build practical skills and discover new career opportunities.
Her next steps include continuing to grow in recruitment and pursuing further education in social work.
“I would love to do recruiting full time,” she says. “I also want to further my education to get my degree in social work. And if recruitment is also a part of my future, then that would be fantastic, too.”
If you're considering college and want to find a program that fits your interests and career goals, take the opportunity to explore Centennial for yourself.
Centennial College's Fall Open House takes place on Saturday, November 28, 2026, across all campuses. Meet faculty and students, explore classrooms and facilities, learn about programs and get answers to your questions about studying at Centennial.
Register Now for Centennial College's Fall Open House.
By Anthony Geremia