Young Professional Alumni Q&A: Carolyn’s Journey

Q: Carolyn, can you tell us a bit about your experience with the Young Professionals (YP) Program? 

Carolyn: My placement with SSA in Kampala, Uganda, in 2023 was life-changing—both personally and professionally. Professionally, it was my first time applying classroom knowledge in a real-world development context. I developed a lot of admiration for SSA’s female-led leadership and gender-balanced team. Beyond work, I built strong relationships with both SSA colleagues and local partners, which made the experience incredibly enriching. 

Q: What did you learn about housing, gender, and social justice in Uganda?  

Carolyn: One of the biggest lessons was understanding how deeply tied gender inequalities are to property rights. Land ownership has a huge cultural significance, and without legal literacy, women can be extremely vulnerable. The paralegal training program especially impressed me—it empowered local women, particularly in Mityana [a local municipality], to protect their rights through knowledge about wills, inheritance, and land disputes. 

Q: How did the YP experience influence your career path? 

Carolyn: Before the placement, I was focused on housing. Being in Uganda made me rethink that focus—I observed how welcoming Uganda is to refugees from Rwanda, South Sudan, and the DRC, without the political backlash often seen in Western countries. That inspired me to pivot toward immigration and settlement work. 

Since returning, I’ve started a Master’s in Immigration & Settlement Studies at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) and work in a support role for international students. The YP program gave me a competitive edge in understanding multicultural contexts and global approaches to inclusion. 

Q: What personal growth came from your time in Uganda? 

Carolyn: I became more open-minded and critical of certain Western norms, like work-life balance. I admired the way SSA leadership modeled personal boundaries and respect for work hours—something I hope to carry forward in my own career. 

Q: Any final reflections on the YP program? 

Carolyn: It was transformative. Professionally, I learned how to apply my knowledge in the real world and gained insight into gender, housing, and social justice. Personally, I grew resilient, open-minded, and connected to a global network of colleagues and friends. The experience reaffirmed for me that collaboration, mentorship, and empowerment can change lives—not just in the communities we serve, but in the participants’ lives as well. 

On a personal note, I even met my husband during my time there! Several SSA team members attended our wedding, which felt like a full-circle moment.