Brady Zapalski: Sport and Physical Education and Con-Ed Graduate

Earlier this month we had the pleasure of interviewing Brady Zapalski, one of our own Human Kinetics Alumni. Brady graduated from the Sports and Physical Education program with Concurrent Education. In entering the program, Brady had the goal to ultimately coach or teach Physical Education; a goal most Sports and Physical Education students can attest to. It was a love for sports and helping others that lead her to the program. Upon completing both degrees, Brady began her Masters of Art and Interdisciplinary Health at Laurentian, while supply teaching for a nearby school board. She relocated to Barrie, but her dedication to her education was unaffected. Brady would commute once a week back up to Sudbury to attend classes for her Masters.

About halfway through her Masters Degree, Brady was hired on at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) as the Clinical Skills Coordinator, on a full time four month contract. In this position, Brady was responsible for hiring, training, and coordinating the standardized patients (people pretending to be ailing patients), who would be used for medical school qualifications. Shortly after, Brady was hired at the Laurentian campus in Barrie by the Centre for Academic Excellence, as an Academic Advisor. She worked as an Academic Advisor for Laurentian from 2012 to 2016, and was then hired for a similar position at Georgian College in Barrie. In her role as an advisor, Brady helps students explore their academic interests, as well as develop plans to complete their education and have a smooth entry into their desired career.

We thoroughly enjoyed chatting with Brady, and she was quick to recall her favourite Outdoor School memories. Like so many others, her favourite Outdoor School memory came from Outdoor School 3, the infamous canoeing/camping trip. Brady was lucky enough to end up on the trip with her tight knit group of friends. Unfortunately the weather was not on their side, and while canoeing up to their campsite there was a torrential downpour of rain. Brady’s group made the best out of the situation, singing Disney songs at the top of their lungs to keep their spirits high in the wild weather.

We would like to thank Brady Zapalski for taking the time to chat with us. She is a great example of how being open to new opportunities and career paths can ultimately lead to an even greater fulfillment of your goals.