“I’m very thankful for Humber and IGNITE that I had that much confidence when I was applying for jobs.”
Shayan Shakil
Navigating life in your early 20s isn’t easy. Responsibilities grow, the “you’re an adult now” conversation kicks in and worries start to stack up faster than answers.
That uncertainty can feel even heavier during the transition from high school to post-secondary education. Feeling unmotivated, lost or out of rhythm is a reality many students face — and sometimes often goes unspoken.
For Humber Polytechnic and IGNITE graduate Shayan Shakil, these feelings defined much of his early 20s. These feelings, though, rather than becoming barriers to success, can become challenges to be confronted and opportunities to grow.
In this third profile commemorating IGNITE alumni who have left a lasting mark on the organization over its 25-year history, the former chair of the Board of Directors tells how campus involvement and student leadership helped him find his rhythm again and set the foundation for the career he has today.
A fresh start at Humber
Shayan is originally from Pakistan and moved to Canada with his family in 2012, navigating a new country and education system at just 20 years old.
He initially went to the University of Ottawa for electrical engineering. However, after two years, Shayan made the difficult decision to drop out and move back to Toronto. He said that period “destroyed” him academically, leaving him feeling unsupported and disconnected.
Back in Toronto, his father, a Humber graduate himself, encouraged him to apply to the school.
“I was so demotivated at that time that I didn’t even apply, my dad signed and filled all the paperwork for me,” Shakil said. “I was a very good student in high school, but university destroyed me in those two years; I felt completely out of place.”
That changed once he started at Humber. Taking the mechanical engineering technology program, Shayan found smaller class sizes, engaged professors and a more supportive learning environment, which helped him find his footing again.
Alongside academics, Humber provided opportunities to get involved with the campus community and the student body as a whole.
He became deeply involved in campus life and worked as a student ambassador with Humber’s Office of the Registrar, as a mentor with First-Year Experience, sat on sustainability committees on campus and eventually joined the IGNITE Board of Directors.
Being active across campus helped rebuild his confidence through connection and conversations, while also helping him financially.
Stepping into leadership with IGNITE
Despite being a naturally social person, stepping into a leadership role, especially one that came with visibility, didn’t come without hesitation for Shayan.
Running in the IGNITE Election for a position on the Board of Directors required more than simply speaking to students and campaigning for why you are the right name for their ballots. For Shayan, the most daunting part was the visibility that came with it.
But when the people around him learned he was interested in running, that’s when the hesitation began to fade. Support from friends, peers and fellow student ambassadors became the push he needed to take the next step.
“They were like, ‘We know you really well and we want someone that we know in that position. You’re very relatable,’” Shakil said. “When I got a lot of people supporting me, that’s when I started putting pictures up [around campus].”
Once the campaign began, Shayan realized he wasn’t alone. Because of how involved he already was on campus, many people offered help. He spoke with professors and visited classrooms to introduce himself and share what he stood for as a candidate.
That support translated into results. Shayan was elected at the North campus with 819 votes and went on to become the chair of the IGNITE Board of Directors.
Beyond overseeing the board’s finances, Shayan said one of his priorities in the role was listening; not only to board members, but to staff and team members across IGNITE. He sat down with people from different departments to understand their perspectives and bring those insights into board meetings.
He said those conversations continue to shape how he leads today.
“Even today, in my different roles, I don’t ever rule out others’ experiences,” Shakil said. “Just because I am in a position of power doesn’t mean I rule out what the other person is saying.”
Shayan said that many engineers tend to be more analytical and prefer to stay behind the scenes. But his involvement with Humber and IGNITE helped him develop a skill set that sets him apart.
“As much as I love math and physics, I love even more just talking with people. That’s what I’m best at,” Shakil said. “I’m very thankful for Humber and IGNITE that I had that much confidence when I was applying for jobs.”
Looking back at the student who once hesitated to see his face on campaign posters, Shayan is “so glad I did it.”
“Now I can tell people that it does get better once your pictures are up.”
Take the next step
No matter the challenges holding you back — whether it’s the fear of seeing your face on posters across campus or the pressure of navigating an unpaid work-integrated learning experience — they don’t define what you’re capable of.
Taking the next step is often uncomfortable, but like Shayan, discomfort can lead to opportunities you never imagined possible.
IGNITE is celebrating 25 years of student support, and initiatives like the Sleep Lounge, free menstrual products on campus and the Soupbar are important, but just as important are the people who helped shape our legacy. Graduates like Shayan continue to reflect the impact of student involvement.
If you have a challenge that you have overcome during your post-secondary journey, let us know in our socials @shareignite!
Feature image courtesy of Shayan Shakil.
Are you getting ready to campaign for the IGNITE Election? Check out how to make a great first impression!
Follow us on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok for all things student life.
