SONIA SHARMA

What brought you to KPU and your program of study?

What brought me to KPU was the convenience of commuting to my class and campus within the city I live in, the opportunity to learn both hands on skills alongside educational opportunities and the cost effectiveness of my tuition fees. I chose Sociology as my program as I wanted to learn how people work in our society.

Can you briefly describe your current position and your main day to day responsibilities?

In my role recent role as a Recruiter with Robert Half, I managed the full-cycle recruitment process across a variety of industries and functions. My day-to-day responsibilities included sourcing and screening candidates, conducting interviews, coordinating with hiring managers to understand hiring needs, and managing candidate pipelines through the ATS. I was responsible for building strong talent networks, presenting qualified candidates to clients, negotiating offers, and ensuring a positive candidate experience throughout the recruitment process. The role also involved business development, client relationship management, and advising clients on market trends, compensation, and hiring strategies.

Which skills, knowledge, or experiences from KPU have been most valuable in your career so far?

My time at Kwantlen Polytechnic University helped build a strong foundation for my career in Human Resources and Talent Acquisition. Through my Sociology degree, I developed critical thinking, research, communication, and interpersonal skills that have been invaluable when working with diverse employees, candidates, and stakeholders. KPU also emphasized collaboration, problem-solving, and understanding human behaviour, which directly translates into recruitment, employee relations, and workplace culture initiatives. Beyond academics, opportunities to engage with peers, participate in career development activities, and build professional networks helped strengthen my confidence and prepare me for the transition into the workforce.

What advice would you give current KPU students who want to build a successful career after graduation?

My biggest piece of advice is to start building your experience and network before you graduate. Take advantage of internships, volunteer opportunities, student leadership roles, and networking events, as these experiences often help you stand out more than your degree alone. Be open to taking on opportunities that help you develop transferable skills such as communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and adaptability.

Also, don’t be afraid to start small. Every role teaches you something valuable and helps build your professional story. Stay curious, continue learning, seek feedback, and build genuine relationships with professors, classmates, and industry professionals. Many career opportunities come from the connections you make along the way.