UNB Alumni
Telling our #ProudlyUNB stories

As a UNB student, Erin was an active volunteer and a passionate Seawolf both on and off the court. She was a member of the Golden Key International Honours Society, and a volunteer with the Wolfpack volleyball club and UNB's summer camps program. Now as a young alumna - not much has changed! Erin can still be found court side cheering on her alma mater or volunteering in the community.

Did you come to UNB knowing which degree program and career path you wanted to explore?

I knew I wanted to study science, so I enrolled in the Bachelor of Science program, not knowing what career path I would choose at the time. I knew I wanted a career as a health professional of some sort, but that was about it. After my first year I decided to do a double major in Biology and Psychology so I could develop a general knowledge of many sciences.

What was most enjoyable about your UNB experience?

I loved being a student-athlete. I had an amazing time living in the Mackay Residence, and I met my husband there and friends that I will have for life!  

Why is volunteering and being an active community member important to you?

As a student volunteer, I met a lot of people and made many connections that I didn’t know the value of at the time. Being involved with a variety of extracurricular and volunteer activities helped shape my personality, gave me confidence, and it fostered independence at a young age. As a young adult, it gives me purpose and a sense of happiness to continue to volunteer within a community that helped shape who I have become today, and it gives me hope that I will be a positive influence to the young girls that I volunteer my time with.

Where are you currently working? 

After graduating from UNB, I received a Master’s in Science (major in Human Communication Disorders) from Dalhousie University. I am now a Speech-Language Pathologist and have two different part-time jobs. One is with Horizon Health’s NB Extra-Mural Program in the Eastern and Charlotte Counties, where I work with adults and geriatric patients in their homes who need assessment and treatment of swallowing disorders and/or communication impairments. I also work at the Anglophone South School District’s 'Talk With Me Early' language services program, where I work with children aged 0-5 and their families to detect language delays/disorders at an early age, and to provide strategies through education and programming promoting healthy language and literacy development.

What specific skills did you acquire from your time at UNB that you highlighted in order to be hired?

I highlighted skills that would lead to me success in the workplace that I learned while being a student-athlete, like time management and organization, but I also liked to discuss the role that athletics played in my personal life at UNBSJ. Playing volleyball developed my  leadership skills in a way that I don’t think would have been possible had I not had the opportunity to be a part of the Seawolves family. I developed strong communication skills and a confidence in myself that I knew would be of value to my employers.

What influenced you to join the Seawolves women’s volleyball team?

I have always been an athlete and enjoyed playing many sports growing up. My friend and I would play rec volleyball at lunchtime in our first year and the Athletics Director, David Munro, strongly advised us to try out for the team. Thanks Dave! I now currently play on Serves U Right, a senior A women’s volleyball team that travels to tournaments around the province. There are a few other Seawolves' alumni on the team!

You are still very involved with athletics at UNBSJ and in the community. Tell us about your current volunteer or extracurricular roles.

I have been coaching a 15U girls volleyball team with the KV Panthers, a volleyball club in the Kennebecasis Valley that has been around for about 5 years and is continuing to grow in size. It’s a great feeling to teach 13 and 14 year-old girls about the game we all love, and it's so rewarding to see their development over the course of the season. I try to be a positive role model in hopes that they will trust me throughout the development process. I also did commentary for a webcast of one of the UNBSJ men’s volleyball games this season. My husband and I live close to the university, so I enjoy catching a few volleyball games each season to cheer on the men and women.

If you had one piece of advice for fellow UNB young alumni, what would it be?

Stay connected to UNB somehow – whether it's attending sporting events or the many networking events that always seem to be happening, or keeping in touch with your old friends. Give back what you can to your university community. The memories you made should never be forgotten and, if you can stay connected with UNB throughout your adult life, they never will be.