Humans of Human Resources: Danielle Samuels

In this issue, we profile Danielle Samuels, Manager of Work Life Relocation, Faculty Staff Housing and Relocation Services in Human Resources.

Danielle shares a fascinating look at her career, one that traces a path from Fort St. John to the United Kingdom to Vancouver. Learn more about her role at UBC Vancouver, what she enjoys about her work, and how her knack for planning might be a hobby in itself.

How did you find your way to UBC?

I was born in Vancouver and raised in and around Vancouver. After high school, I left Vancouver and moved to Prince George and attended the University of Northern British Columbia. I completed a BA and figured I hadn’t moved far enough north and moved to Fort St. John where I worked as a medic in the oil field. Realizing that minus 30 degree weather hurt too much, I decided to move to the UK where I worked as a recruiter for a medical company. But I missed home and came back to Vancouver where I was an HR manager for a couple of companies, including Marriott and the production team for TED Talks (where I got to talk with Chris Hadfield, Amanda Palmer and Edward Snowden running around on a motorized iPad). After I moved back to Vancouver I went back to school while I was working and got a post graduate diploma in immigration law and became a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant. After this I was lucky enough to be hired by UBC, which brings us to present day.

What is your favourite part of the job? What excites you most about your work at UBC?

I manage the relocation program for senior staff and faculty and advise UBC staff and faculty on immigration. I have several things in my job that I like: advising on immigration issues is all about problem solving and flexes one part of my brain. Introducing new people to UBC and Vancouver satisfies my extrovert tendencies, and getting to talk and present to large groups of people fulfils the excitement portion of my week. Immigration law changes on a weekly basis, so there is always something new to learn and to pass along to people I work with.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

In my spare time, I kayak, camp and sew. They are seasonal hobbies. When it is raining outside, I sit at my sewing machine, but when the weather is nice, I hit the water. It’s weird, but I like planning the boating and camping trips just as much as I like paddling and setting up my tent (minus the mosquitoes, I hate mosquitoes and they love me). I’m planning my first couple of kayaking trips of the year to Ross Lake and up Indian Arm.

Sewing is kind of the same thing for me when it comes to me enjoying the planning aspect of projects. You make a plan of what you are going to sew, pick the fabric and pattern and then cut and sew the piece together. Maybe my hobby is planning rather than all those other things.

What is one new thing that you want to try, and why?

I am trying to incorporate more physical activity into my life — things I can do in the winter, not just in the summer. If anyone has any suggestions I am open to all ideas!

Photos: Exposure Photography Kamloops