by Giulliana Micheletto
In 2018, Halifax native Shaye Tilley won a Future Aces scholarship and moved to Ottawa to pursue a degree in International studies, in global development, at Carleton University. Like most people, she did not anticipate how COVID-19 would drastically alter her reality, but that’s exactly what happened.
Struggling with her mental health throughout the pandemic, Tilley recognized a significant shift between her pre- and post-pandemic self, compared to the 18-year-old who had moved across the country. “After I graduated (in 2022) I realized that I needed to work on my social skills a little bit more, to gain that back, so I started working at a restaurant.”
Despite her initial career aspirations laid in International Studies, Tilly discovered an unexpected passion and love for the hospitality industry.
“I never saw myself going to the hospitality sector, but it’s been a really welcome change, just a really nice way to connect to the community(…) I am at a place where my social skills are better than they have ever been or would have been, if I went down a different route.”
Tilley’s dedication has led to her promotion to bar and event manager at the restaurant. She finds joy in “making small moments better for the people” and emphasizes the ever-changing nature of her work. “Every day is a box of chocolates, a little different,” she shares. “We [herself and her colleagues] do lots of concerts and big group reservations. It’s a mixture of administrative work, interacting with guests and organizing events.” She genuinely enjoys the dynamic workplace and the daily opportunity to enhance her social skills.
The values instilled in her by the Future ACES Creed and her innate desire to give back to the community continue to guide Tilley’s life. “I was always a volunteer,” she reflects.
“The service attribute is really important to me to take through my life on the day to day(…), if I can’t do something huge on a macro scale, I can do something that affects change on a micro scale and makes people’s days better.”
To achieve her current social ease, Tilley had to overcome her social anxiety and adopt a new perspective. She takes pride in her remarkable progress in socializing. She shares a valuable lesson from her experience: “Get out of [your] own head and [do] not compare [yourself] to others, because what you are doing is worthwhile and special and you will find your own way.”