Q&A With SSU Customer Service Representative, Bukky Osho.
Meet Bukky Osho! A Digital Product Design student and one of our incredible Customer Service Representatives at the SSU! From growing her confidence in the classroom to making a real difference in students' lives every day, Bukky shares how her journey at Sheridan has shaped her into a stronger leader, communicator, and creative mind. Keep reading to learn about her favourite moments, biggest lessons, and what it's like to work at the SSU!
“One of the things I’ve learned in this role is that, even as an introvert, I can connect with people in ways I never imagined.”
- Bukky Osho
Q: What's something you wish you knew before going into this program?
A: Honestly, I wish I had known more about the Interactive Media Design Program; it’s a bit more diverse, and it comes with a co-op opportunity, which would have been a great way to gain more experience while studying. Nevertheless, I have no regrets about choosing Product Design. This program gave me exactly what I needed: solid skills, real-world experience, and the chance to work on projects that truly challenged me and helped me grow.
Q: What's something you learned about yourself in this program?
A: Before this program, I used to be extremely shy and would do anything to avoid speaking in front of a crowd. But through different group projects, I found myself stepping up and leading, not because I was eager to, but because I knew the success of the project sometimes depended on someone taking charge and that someone had to be me. I remember my first presentation vividly. I was so nervous, wishing the ground would open up and swallow me. But my boyfriend gave me a simple tip: "Just imagine you’re telling a story to your friends." At first, I thought it sounded silly, but I tried it and to my surprise, it worked. I noticed my classmates were actually interested in what I had to say, since then, presenting and taking up leadership roles became less scary.
“One of the projects I’m most proud of is my Capstone Project, which was presented by the Canadian Olympic Team.”
Q: Tell us about your experience in your program or college in general? What surprised you the most?
A: I’m really happy I chose to study Digital Product Design at Sheridan College! What surprised me the most was how much my design skills and knowledge improved throughout the program. We work with real-world projects and get constant feedback from peers and instructors, which is invaluable. I love how approachable and supportive my professors are; their guidance helped me grow as a designer and gave me the confidence to push my boundaries.
Q: Favourite Course(s) & Why?
A: That would definitely be the Digital Product Design Workshop. It was hands down my favourite because we got the chance to work on a real product for the Canadian Olympic Team. It was so exciting to be exposed to the design landscape here in Canada, which was quite different from what I was used to back home. That’s one of the main reasons I chose to study this course in Canada: I wanted to learn how to design for a new, diverse audience, and this course gave me exactly that experience.
“Before Sheridan, I used to be extremely shy and would do anything to avoid speaking in front of a crowd. I preferred staying behind the scenes. But through different group projects, I found myself stepping up and leading.”
Q: What's the most exciting part of your program so far?
A: The most exciting part of the program has been the chance to collaborate and work alongside brilliant, creative minds. I’ve had the opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds, each bringing their own unique perspective and ideas to the table. Every group project felt like a mini adventure of learning how others approach problem-solving, people’s experiences, bouncing ideas off one another, and seeing how our combined efforts brought ideas to life. It wasn’t just about the coursework; it was about the conversations, the teamwork, and the friendships built along the way. The energy that came from working with passionate, talented people made the entire learning experience super fun and inspiring.
Q: What's a project or assignment you're really proud of working on, What made it so rewarding?
A: One of the projects I’m most proud of is my Capstone Project, where my team and I worked on developing a solution to address the issue of low youth participation in sports, which was presented by the Canadian Olympic Team. We started with extensive user research, including surveys and interviews with young people, parents, and coaches to understand the root causes of low participation. From the data we gathered, we identified key barriers such as high costs, limited access to diverse sports, and a lack of social connections, all contributing to the decline in youth engagement. To solve this, we created an app called Sportal, designed to make sports more accessible, inclusive, and enjoyable. The platform aimed to break down traditional barriers by offering a space where users could easily find and join sports activities in their area, discover new training sessions, and engage with a supportive community.
“The most exciting part of the program has been the chance to collaborate and work alongside brilliant, creative minds.“
Q: How would you describe a typical day working at the SSU?
A: Working as a Customer Service Representative at the SSU is exciting and dynamic. A typical day begins with going through the emails, live chats and responding to inquiries from students and staff. I also take phone calls, respond to voicemails, and assist students who walk in for help, then conduct a quick facility check to ensure that rooms like the club’s room, board room, and kitchen are clean and prepared. Another part of my day involves taking inventory of supplies, and if we’re running low on anything, I report it to my manager. What truly makes my role enjoyable is the support from my amazing team! Director Madison and Manager Amanda. They’re always accessible and ready to lend a hand, making each day run smoothly. Their leadership has made this role so much easier and enjoyable.
“This year, I’m eager to make time for new adventures, meet more people, and step out of my comfort zone a little more.”
Q: What skill(s) did you gain from your program that helped you succeed in your position at the SSU or vice-versa?
A: Working at the SSU has helped me gain so many skills, especially adaptability, empathy and effective communication. On the flip side, the problem-solving skills I developed during my program really helped me at the SSU. Working on various design projects taught me how to break down complex challenges into manageable steps, and I applied this approach when assisting with inquiries and resolving issues in customer service. The program also sharpened my organizational skills, helping me carry out my tasks , like handling emails, answering calls, and managing facility checks effectively, all while staying on top of my responsibilities.
Q: What's one of the most exciting things you've done in your role so far? What made it so fulfilling?
A: One of the most exciting and fulfilling parts of working at the SSU has been helping students and staff in meaningful ways. It’s such a rewarding feeling to ease someone’s stress or solve a problem, and to see the relief or satisfaction on their faces afterward. Those small moments truly make my job worthwhile. Another highlight has been working alongside the other CSRs and staff from different departments. Everyone is always supportive and ready to lend a hand, which makes the work environment so friendly and positive. I’m genuinely grateful for the people I get to work with every day.
Q: What did you learn from working at the SSU that would help you in the future?
A: One of the things I’ve learned in this role is that, even as an introvert, I can connect with people in ways I never imagined. When I applied, I wasn’t sure if I would be comfortable interacting with so many students and staff, but working at the SSU pushed me out of my comfort zone, and I feel so accomplished! I discovered that my desire to help others was stronger than my fears. Over time, engaging with students, offering guidance, and collaborating with staff felt natural. I even started questioning if I was ever that shy to begin with! For any introverted students out there who are hesitant about getting involved, my advice is: take it one step at a time. Growth happens when you gently push yourself. You might surprise yourself with how much you’re capable of.
Q: What are some of your goals for your role this year? How do you plan on achieving them?
A: This year, one of my biggest goals is to land a UI/UX design role where I can work on meaningful products that improve people’s lives. Designing user-friendly, impactful solutions has always been my dream, and I’m excited to apply everything I’ve learned so far to make that happen. On a personal level, I want to explore more of Canada! Can you believe I’ve been here for two years and still haven’t visited Niagara Falls or the CN Tower? This year, I’m eager to make time for new adventures, meet more people, and step out of my comfort zone a little more. I’m excited to see what’s ahead, both professionally and personally!
Curious about what it's like to work at the SSU?
Check out our other Q&As with staff from different departments to see what a day in their life looks like 🤔, the programs they chose, their top tips, and more! ✨⤵️
