Meet Rukhsana Jamal – Customer Service Representative in Parking Services

Name: Rukhsana Jamal

Position: Customer Service Representative in Parking Services

How long have you worked at McMaster? I have been in this position for 9 years and with McMaster since 2008.

Tell us a little bit about yourself: I am a people person. I have a happy, vibrant personality and I am a good communicator. I am very adaptable and can get along with anyone. I get along very well with students and staff members because of my easy going personality.

In 3 sentences or less, describe your job and the best part of your job? The best part of my job is working with students and to help them succeed in their life. I enjoy helping the greater McMaster community in organizing events related to parking. I love connecting with departments/employees in order to solve their payment issues.

What is your favourite thing to do when you’re not at work? Gardening and connecting with friends.

Tell us about a mentor that you’ve had and how they supported your career development? Or how you’ve mentored someone and supported their development? I would like to mention two individuals who I have mentored during my career – Jashanpreet Kaur and MD Faisal Rahman. I mentored Jashan. She started as a student in our office and eventually stayed with us as an employee. I also mentored Faisal when he started his McMaster journey. I helped him build his confidence and supported him in his position. He is now a confident McMaster employee.

The Division of Operations and Finance has identified the core values that run through all of our work: curiosity, accountability, quality, empathy, teamwork, inclusiveness, and integrity. Please tell us which value means the most to you and why, and any work you are doing that embodies or speaks to the value. I value all of them but I would go with curiosity. I am always looking for innovative ideas to improve our department. I am willing to take on any new challenges that I am presented with in my day to day activities.

What is a piece of advice you would give to someone embarking on their career at McMaster University? My advice would be to build relationships. McMaster is known for its vibrant academic community so taking the time to build relationships with colleagues and staff/students is vital.