Fabiola Paiva

We are delighted to feature our first Allied Health Leadership & Management student, Fabiola Paiva! She is a previous graduate of the DMS program (2104) and actually met and married a fellow classmate! You just never know what you’ll find at Casa Loma College! Fabiola believes in life-long learning which is one reason she enrolled in the AHLM program – “I think that continuing your education is crucial to anyone’s success, and I believe it is a lifelong process. Even if you’re pleased with your profession, learning new skills might improve your lifestyle and personal development.”

Tell us a little about yourself. Where did you grow up? What are your interests? Family? Children? And any other interesting info here!
Hello CLC faculty and students! My name is Fabiola Paiva, and I am ecstatic to be featured in this month’s spotlight! I am a 29-year-old mom of a toddler who enjoys being outdoors, listening to music, and loves to dance and roller skate. I was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley but relocated to New England three years ago with my husband and daughter. A fun fact is that I met my husband at CLC when we both attended the DMS program ten years ago, and he has been my partner ever since. Now we have started a family and are forever grateful to CLC for the opportunities the college has given us, both professionally and for meeting the love of my life.

You graduated with a degree in DMS, what motivated you to enroll in AHLM and receive a bachelor’s degree?
My family has become my motivation to become the best version of myself and achieve success.

Will you  use what you are learning in AHLM in  your current position? If so, please tell me how.
The most important thing I have learned in the AHLM program is that a leader helps people in their community accomplish their goals and always has solid faith in their ideas. I plan to live by these two ideas both professionally and in everyday life.

 Is the AHLM program what you expected? Please explain
At first, I imagined that the AHLM program would teach an individual how to become a manager to run an establishment. I was wrong. This program focuses on leadership and highlights the importance of teamwork to have a direct positive impact on an organization to carry out its mission.

 What have you learned or are learning that’s made a difference to you?
 I have learned that we are living systems and can adapt to very different outcomes than initially expected. I translate this into how adaptability helps open up your mind to new ideas, makes you question the status quo, and gives you the motivation to go against the usual protocol. Adaptable people are not scared of change and have unbreakable resilience.

 What have you gained from other students in the program?
The all-important thing I have gained from my classmates is the motivation not to give up when it is late at night and feel tired. I have learned that many classmates have hectic schedules as well, and we all somehow pull through to complete our tasks for that day. Although this is an online-based class, I know my classmates well and feel close to them based on all the goals we all share.

 What has been your greatest challenge in the program?
The biggest challenge I have encountered is tackling motherhood during the pandemic, keeping up with household chores, finding time to sit down to and complete weekly reading materials, and completing my assignments. I have had to strictly become more organized to complete each task, which are equally important to me.

 What has been your favorite class so far and why?
My favorite class has been “Understanding Living Systems.” This class taught me to see everything as a living system and helped me see myself as an important part in the system and how I have control over how things can develop after. I’ve learned to look at the instabilities and the chaos as something that is inevitable and as opposed to getting upset. I calmly prepare myself to address them to avoid future chaos.

 What did you want to be when you were growing up?
As a child, I remember wanting to be so many different things that it was hard to keep with. But the very first thing I remember being fascinated with were astronauts. Looking up at the sky and seeing how big it was scared me. I could not wrap my mind around how humans were capable of navigating through all that space and landing on the moon.

 What would people be surprised to know about you?
 I seem to be the shyest person, but I am very outgoing and adventurous. I may feel anxious or scared, but I never let that stop me from doing things I have not done before. On the contrary, I love to try exciting new things.

 What has been your favorite place to visit? Why?
My ultimate favorite place to visit has been Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia. My husband is born in Bolivia, and I went for the first time several years ago, and I fell in love with the entire country. Salar de Uyuni itself is magical. It is the largest salt flat in the world and just full of wonders that is sure to make you feel emotional. I would encourage everyone to visit this beautiful country and experience this incomparable place for themselves.

 Where would you like to visit someday? Why?
The top two places on my bucket list are Paris and the Giza pyramids of Egypt. Paris seems to overflow with culture, art, beauty, and history. At the same time, ancient Egyptian civilization’s success and how it is the world’s earliest civilization fascinates me.

 What advice do you have for incoming students?
The most crucial thing to remember is not to give up on what you want to accomplish. The hardest thing is taking that first step to reaching your goals. After that, everything comes fast. It may seem complicated and even stressful at times, but that won’t last long, and the satisfaction that comes after lasts forever.

 Do you think it is important for professionals to continue their learning?
I think that continuing your education is crucial to anyone’s success, and I believe it is a lifelong process. Even if you’re pleased with your profession, learning new skills might improve your lifestyle and personal development.

 Would you recommend this program to other graduates?
Absolutely. This program has opened up professional opportunities for me and has helped me learn new life skills that apply in everyday life and interpersonal skills that can be used in any profession.