For Business Administration – Human Resources (Co-op) grad Hridhya Sathyajith, Niagara College became a place not only to earn an education, but also where she discovered her confidence and developed into a leader.
Originally from India, and now living in Niagara Falls, Hridhya made the most of every opportunity available to her during her time at NC. Throughout her studies, she served as the class representative and one of the longest-serving members of the HR@NC Student Club, an extracurricular association that organizes Human Resources workshops, networking events, speaker panels, and keynote presentations for students interested in the profession.
She also worked as an International Student Assistant, completed a co-op placement with NC’s Recruitment and Activation team, and served as Team Lead for an award-winning capstone succession planning project developed for Wakefield Canada. Through these experiences, she developed valuable leadership, communication, project management, and professional skills while building meaningful connections across the College community.
Hridhya describes her experience at NC as, “incredibly rewarding, transformative, and filled with opportunities for both personal and professional growth.” One of the highlights of her journey was completing her co-op placement with NC’s Recruitment and Activation team, where she gained valuable real-world experience and strengthened her communication, teamwork, and professional skills.
Another memorable milestone came when she was selected by her professor to serve as a guest speaker during Niagara College’s Open House. Sharing her story and representing the program for prospective students was an experience she describes as both meaningful and memorable.
Looking back on her journey, Hridhya is most proud of how much she grew personally and professionally.
“When I first started this program, I had very little confidence in myself,” she said. “I was nervous to even speak in front of a class or hold a microphone and talk to a crowd.”
“A huge reason I was able to grow into the person I am today is because of the trust, encouragement, and confidence that Niagara College and my professors gave me throughout my journey,” she added. “Their support helped me believe in myself even during moments when I doubted my own abilities.”
Today, she is working full-time as an Administrative Office Assistant with The Medfall Group while preparing to pursue her CHRP designation and continue building a career in Human Resources.
“Growth takes time, and sometimes the person you become by the end of your journey can completely surprise you in the best possible way,” she said.
Convocation day holds special meaning for Hridhya, and represents much more than walking across a stage and earning a diploma.
“Today represents resilience, hard work, growth, and the sacrifices made throughout this journey,” she said. “It truly feels like a dream come true and a proud moment not only for me, but also for my family and everyone who supported me along the way.”
Q&A with Hridhya Sathyajith
What led you to study at NC and to your program of study?
While working as a warehouse associate, I became very interested in the role HR professionals play in supporting employees, creating positive workplaces, and helping organizations run successfully. Since I have always enjoyed working with people and helping others, Human Resources felt like the perfect fit for me.
When researching colleges that offered strong Human Resources programs, Niagara College stood out because of its excellent reputation, hands-on learning opportunities, and strong support for students. I felt that Niagara College would give me the practical experience and confidence needed to succeed in my future career.
What interests you in / why are you passionate about your field of study?
What interests me most about Human Resources is the ability to positively impact people’s experiences within the workplace. HR is a field where you can support employees, encourage growth, improve workplace culture, and help organizations succeed at the same time.
I am passionate about helping people feel supported, heard, and valued. I also enjoy building relationships, solving problems, and contributing to environments where both employees and organizations can grow together.
Do you have a specific career goal in mind when you enrolled in your program? Did it change since you started?
When I first enrolled in the program, my goal was simply to build a successful and stable career in Human Resources. As I progressed through the program, completed co-op experiences, and gained hands-on learning opportunities, my confidence and career goals grew much bigger.
Through my experiences at Niagara College, I discovered interests in recruitment, employee engagement, organizational development, and leadership. I now hope to continue growing within the HR field and eventually work in larger organizations where I can contribute to employee success and organizational growth.
What did you find rewarding about your program / area of study? Does something stand out to you that you will never forget about your time at NC?
As mentioned earlier, one of the most rewarding parts of my experience at Niagara College was the personal and professional growth I experienced throughout the program.
I became more confident, strengthened my leadership and communication skills, and developed valuable workplace and teamwork abilities.
What makes Human Resources meaningful to me is the opportunity to positively impact people and help create supportive workplace environments.
Did you face and overcome any challenges to graduate?
Yes, there were definitely challenges throughout my journey. Balancing academics, work responsibilities, leadership roles, and personal life was not always easy. There were many stressful moments where managing everything felt overwhelming, but I stayed focused on my goals and continued pushing myself forward.
At the same time, those challenges helped me become more resilient, independent, organized, and confident in myself. Looking back now, overcoming those obstacles has made graduating feel even more meaningful and rewarding.
Did you work a placement or co-op as part of your program?
Yes, I completed a co-op placement with Niagara College’s Recruitment and Activation team, where I gained valuable professional experience in communication, teamwork, and student engagement.
Following my co-op placement, I was hired within Niagara College’s International Department as a Student Assistant. Through this role, I continued building my professional experience while supporting students in an administrative and student service environment. Both opportunities allowed me to apply the skills I learned in the classroom to real-world professional settings.
What’s next for you?
My goal is to continue growing within the Human Resources field and build a meaningful long-term career where I can positively contribute to both employees and organizations. Since graduating, I have also started preparing toward obtaining my CHRP designation through the Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA), which I hope will further support my professional growth and future career goals within Human Resources.
Any other info you feel is important and would like to share?
One thing I would really like to share with other students is to never underestimate yourself or believe that you are not confident, capable, or skilled enough to succeed.
Never lose hope in yourself. Growth takes time, and sometimes the person you become by the end of your journey can completely surprise you in the best possible way.
