Adriana Hernandez-Soriano, MPNL
I am a first-generation Salvadoran Canadian born in Montreal, Quebec, raised in Kingston, Ontario and now live in Ottawa. I attended Carleton University and received my BA (Hons.) in anthropology degree back in 2019. I am now currently enrolled in the Master of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership (MPNL) program and expect to graduate in Fall 2023.
I currently work as a Project Manager at Canada’s Building Trades Unions’ “Building it Green” project, funded by the federal government. The project aims to integrate climate literacy into skilled trades to help trades workers understand their role in constructing and maintaining net-zero projects. I am thankful to be part of an innovative federally funded grant project at my age and the first of its kind in the industry. As a Project Manager, I manage the project’s entire life cycle; I organize, plan, define project goals and ensure the execution of deliverables while working within restraints like budgets and schedules. I am in constant communication with important internal and external stakeholders while planning creative solutions to any problems that may arise. I am responsible for the success or failure of a project.
My passion for philanthropy has brought me to explore my interest in various social impact organizations like this one. In my previous work experience, I’ve been able to manage programs, develop policy, restructure a department and collaborate cross-sectors; I plan to continue adding to my skill set. This passion also drew me to the SPPA at Carleton University. The MPNL program is the first of its kind in Canada; All other master-level programs related to the sector are offered in the United States. I was thrilled to be part of such a one-of-a-kind program and the idea that the top Canadian Philanthropic figures would facilitate this program was just an opportunity I could not miss.
My recommendation for a new student would be to get in touch with yourself and pay attention to what you love, your passions and what interests you. This can be particularly difficult at an early age but prioritizing yourself and staying in tune with your interests is going to help you decide what you want to study/do for the rest of your life. For students who may not know what their interests are and don’t know what they want to study – apply as undeclared! That way you can explore in your first year of university all the different programs available without restrictions. See what pulls your interest — doesn’t matter if you aren’t good at it yet, you can always work hard to get there. When you have graduated, and you are job searching, you’ll thank yourself that you are looking for a job that excites you and brings you joy.