From the Community: Why this Nominee Stands Out

“Mushay O’Connor is a Talent Acquisition Consultant for Stantec’s early career (new graduate) positions, responsible for hiring full-time employees with 2 or less years of experience for our Program Management Project Management (PMCM) and Transportation practices. 

Mushay has consistently challenged the status quo by introducing creative strategies and tools to connect with Gen Z candidates. She leverages social media platforms and in-person events to reach a wider audience, ensuring that our recruitment efforts are modern and engaging. For example, she utilizes LinkedIn to share behind-the-scenes content and success stories, making our organization more relatable and attractive to young professionals.

In addition to performing the recruiting function across North America, Mushay is directly involved on campus and is regularly asked to participate in panel discussions for students. Most recently, she joined the team at “Realize Your Potential Youth Society” as a volunteer Career Development Program Advisor. The organization introduces students to STEAM and a range of other career paths. Following a program tour, she posted, “Supporting youth and emerging professionals is incredibly close to my heart. It fills my cup in the best possible way.” 

Mushay’s involvement with the BlackNorth Initiative in Alberta, where she participated in their first career fair, demonstrates her commitment to diversity and inclusion. Additionally, she is very active at the University of Calgary, participating as a panelist at the Centre for Career and Personal Development’s “Launch Your Career Conference” and the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) chapter’s professional development workshop. These engagements have allowed her to connect with diverse students and provide them with valuable insights and guidance. 

She also played a key role in organizing our StanFest event in the fall, which attracted students and early career professionals to learn more about Stantec. She was fully responsible for managing registration and coordinating outreach to post-secondary institutions for both of our participating offices, Calgary and Edmonton, ensuring a smooth and successful event.

One of her candidates sent her a note about their experience and it sums up how Mushay interacts with them. “Your attention to detail and professionalism were evident in every interaction we had. I have had a few interviews in my professional career, but I can honestly say that dealing with you has been the most enjoyable. Your commitment represents Stantec's principles, and I am truly thrilled about the prospect of working for such a remarkable company.”

Mushay O’Connor consistently rises to the occasion, employing innovative strategies for early career recruiting. By building authentic relationships, she enhances the candidate experience and strengthens our Stantec brand, particularly for students and early career professionals. As highlighted in her LinkedIn tagline, she is committed to “empowering the next generation of professionals.” Her unwavering dedication to supporting youth and emerging professionals makes her an outstanding candidate for the Talent Innovator Award.”