Meet the InStage Avatars

"Introducing InStage into the Co-op preparation curriculum has been a game changer for our students and staff. For our students, InStage not only provides a safe space to practice their communication skills and a comfort level with virtual interviewing, but it also gives them actionable metrics and goals for meaningful improvement. Our students benefit from increased confidence and immediate/real time feedback. InStage also allows our students to practice anytime they want. As a result, when it’s time to interview with a co-op employer, students are ready and able to clearly and confidently articulate the skills they can bring to a co-op work term. For our staff, InStage lets them centre on nurturing deeper coaching conversations with our students, offering focused feedback on the story selection and content students are preparing for their interviews. InStage enables students and staff to be their best!"

- Susan Soikie, Director, Arts & Science Co-op @ University of Toronto

"If you are preparing for a meeting/interview/presentation and don't have anyone else to practice with, practicing alone, or even in front of the mirror, is simply not the same because you don't have anyone looking at you, or listening to you, which means that emotionally, you are not in the same state of being. InStage uses avatars that watch you, and listen to you, and even though you know they aren't real people, they still invoke an emotional response! Communication skills are first and foremost - emotional! Your tone, your pacing, your body language - are all emotional signals. Your mirror is only school. 21st century needs something new, and I honestly believe InStage is what we've been waiting for."

- Alon Eisenstein, Assistant Professor of Teaching @ University of British Columbia

"The importance of developing your communication soft skills cannot be undervalued. InStage provides an immersive, safe, online environment that participants can practice public speaking or go through an interview. The diagnostic report provides insight which allows individuals to continue to hone their communication skills. I have seen individual's confidence grow and their skills develop which has lead them to be better positioned to effectively communicate in a job interview or presenting ideas."

- Chris Dudley, Director of Entrepreneurship @ Seneca College

"It was a really great experience to practice some of the skills that I wouldn't get to practice otherwise in front of a group of people...before I actually present in a group of people!"

- Cheryl Mitchell, Director, Centre for Entrepreneurship @ Humber College

"The virtual interview practice was really fundamental in preparing me for my interview."

- Crystal Sudlow, Student @ Seneca College

"Before I was, I was very like nervous before I did the program, and after it I feel like I could go into and interview or presentation or whatever and be 100% confident that I'll do okay!"

- Student, @ Seneca College

"It was really cool! Surprisingly nerve wracking!"

- Student, @ Humber College

"...it felt like there were real people in front of me, and I felt like it was immersive!"

- Co-op Student, @ Humber College

"I have attended many Career Recharge: Instage workshops, and each time, I feel incredible. The community, coordinators, and the participants are phenomenal and the whole environment is so positive and wholesome. Other than the professional aspects, the best feeling comes when you are the participant, and everyone is cheering you up. Honestly, it feels like a family, who always wants you to do well. Thank you so much!"

- Sukanya Mukherjee, Student @ Seneca College

"The students loved this method of learning and immediate feedback. The data analytics reporting is great, and it allows students to see specifically the areas of improvement such as repeated words, filler words, volume, speed, etc."

- Kathryn Lee, Professor in the School of Information Technology, at Fanshawe College @ Fanshawe College