When I was in high school, my guidance counsellor encouraged me to “choose a career,” as if it were a one-off decision. It turns out that the contemporary labour market is much more complex and interesting than that. The alumni profiles I’ve been writing for during the past few years for Montreal’s Concordia University illustrate the jumble of possible paths one can follow—or forge.
Like most of the grads I’ve interviewed, I credit Concordia with preparing me to carve out a place where I like to be within the sprawling world of work. I’m proud to call it one my alma maters (alma matres?)
In 2023, I profiled 14 of the 50 notable alumni whom Concordia honoured that year for their careers and contributions. They were all far more accomplished than I’ll ever find the energy to be, and it was fascinating to chat with each of them.
Here are a few samples:
The #MeToo attorney
Zoe Salzman is a Manhattan-based trial attorney who unabashedly loves to win. As a partner at Emery Celli Brinckerhoff Abady Ward & Maazel LLP, she has argued numerous high-profile cases that deal with social justice, civil rights or human rights. Her clients have included a man who was wrongfully imprisoned for nearly 20 years, the family of an African-American 12-year-old who was killed by police, and survivors of sexual violence.
“The majority of my practice now is in the #MeToo space,” she says. “There are court decisions — some of which my firm helped win — that have opened new avenues of justice. There is a greater social awareness of the extent of the problem. It’s incredible how much has changed in just a few short years.”
Continue reading at Concordia.ca
The passionate polymath
With strong business acumen, an extensive background in technology, a gift for gab and a passion for acting and music, Jeffrey Scott Latchman defies pigeonholing.
“If you look at your life from the perspective of providing service to others, then you’re a lot more than just an engineer or a businessperson or a musician,” he says. “I think it’s fair to say I’m all those things — and other things, too.”
Much of Latchman’s energy goes into his consulting practice, which applies technological solutions to business problems. His projects have included developing learning-management systems for Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner, landing a multimillion-dollar deal for TATA and producing music for an Amazon Prime TV show episode about the R&B artist H.E.R.
Continue reading at Concordia.ca
Photo by Zahra Ahmadi
