Note: The Brock Employee Feature is a Q&A-style series that aims to highlight those who contribute to the University’s positive working environment and make a difference in the campus community. The full series is available on The Brock News. Employees interested in being featured are asked to fill out an online form.

Liam Nielsen (BSM ’22) knows from experience that taking part in a university orientation program supports success. As Recruitment Officer of Student Conversion and Transition, Nielsen provides support to prospective and incoming students by helping them navigate their journey to Brock.

Share your Brock career story.

I’ve been working at Brock since I was a first-year student in 2019. I started as a Smart Start Team Assistant and have had many different roles.

I began working full time as a travelling Recruitment Officer in 2022 and have been in my current role, which includes managing Smart Start, Brock’s long-standing summer orientation program, for a little over a year and a half now.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

My role in the Student Recruitment office is focused on leading projects that students will engage with after they’ve been accepted to Brock but haven’t yet started as a student.

The most rewarding part of my job is leading the outstanding team of student staff. I had an amazing time working at Brock as a student and I’m trying my best to make sure that members of our team have an equally great experience.

I find it endlessly rewarding to help our incoming Badgers better understand what it means to be a university student. Working to help ease the nerves of first-generation, transfer, international and out-of-province students is something I look forward to.

What Brock program did you graduate from?

I graduated from Brock in 2022 with a Bachelor of Sport Management.

I was born and raised in a small town in Nova Scotia, so I wanted to challenge myself with a big move to Ontario after high school. I was drawn in initially by the uniqueness of the Sport Management program.

I visited campus for a tour in Grade 11 and never looked back.

What do you like about working at Brock? 

For me, it’s the people.

My colleagues in Student Recruitment are amazing. They welcomed me and gave me a home when I was a lost and confused first-year student, and I am grateful every single day for the culture in our office.

What was your first job ever?

I got my first job when I was 15 at a mall kiosk that repaired phones and sold accessories. I had to communicate with the manager almost entirely in French.

I didn’t work there for very long, but I learned a lot about customer service and on-the-spot problem solving.

What are your interests and hobbies? 

Movies are my No. 1 interest and I’m almost always watching, learning or thinking about movies. I generally watch four or five a week, and a dream of mine is to own and operate my own independent movie theatre.

Outside of that, I like to spend time exploring Niagara, seeking out local trivia competitions and travelling with my amazing partner Gracelyn.

Where is your favourite place to visit in Niagara? 

Any place that serves wood-fired pizza. I also love to wander around The Write Bookshop on St. Paul Street.

How do you maintain positive mental health? 

Lots of unplugging and staying away from social media. I try to use more analogue technologies, go for walks outside and listen to The Affirmation Song by Snoop Dogg.

What is a fact most people would be surprised to learn about you? 

Despite my less-than-towering height, I played basketball at a fairly competitive level for most of my life before university.

I’ve also seen all 674 episodes of Survivor and have always dreamed of being on the show. Although, I expect I would almost certainly be the first one voted off the island.