Grads to Watch 2026: A champion for trades and community

Rajbir Singh’s Sheridan experience brought him into every part of student life in the Magna School for the Skilled Trades. He excelled as a student in the Mechanical Technician - CNC & Precision Machining program, winning scholarships from Magna, the Gene Haas Foundation, and the Sheridan Student Union. And, earlier this year, he was recognized with the College’s Making a Difference Student Leadership Award for his work to enhance student life.

Singh also gives back to the wider community. Over the course of four days this spring, he led workshops for 90 guidance counsellors to showcase how the trades can be a viable and rewarding career choice for many students.

You’ve accomplished a lot during your time at Sheridan! Is there any one thing you're particularly proud of?

Leading the Taste of Trades workshops on campus, where I had the chance to introduce more than 300 elementary, middle and high school students to the skilled trades and show them they can be just as valuable as any other conventional path, is something that stays with me. I loved seeing the smiles and the shine in the eyes of high school students who weren’t sure about considering trades as a career. Knowing that a student is considering being a machinist, millwright or welder just because we had that conversation was incredible.

What’s your advice for first-year students?

My advice for anyone, really, is to just “do it,” “try it,” give that thing sitting in your mind a chance. The “worst” that can happen is that you will learn out of that experience, which is actually good. It will only help you grow into a better version of yourself. I’d also encourage students in their first year to look out for ways to get involved, try to give back to the community both on and off campus. Those opportunities are what truly shape you in ways you don’t expect.

And most importantly, don’t be afraid. There have been many times I was in rooms full of people and where I was the only one who looked like me. My advice is to embrace that. Realize that each and every one of you is “unique” but not “different.”

“I'd encourage students in their first year to look out for ways to get involved, try to give back to the community... Those opportunities are what truly shape you in ways you don’t expect.”

How have you balanced all your extracurricular activities alongside your studies?

For me, time management and prioritizing tasks was the key. There were many days where I’d be in the library at 9:00 a.m. studying for a test, even though my class didn't start until 3:00 p.m. It meant staying late after class and preparing for the days and weeks ahead. But honestly, I would recommend enjoying all this, like I did. It never felt like a burden. It felt like I was building something bigger, contributing toward a greater impact, and growing along the way.

What’s next for you?

I want to continue creating meaningful impact through community engagement, youth mentorship, and advocacy for students and education and I hope to keep growing in roles where I can support the next generation. Outside of college, I plan to continue my involvement with a Peel-based non-profit organization, where I mentor youth aged 11-18 through leadership development, emergency preparedness training, community initiatives, and guiding them towards the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award. We are also continuing blood and plasma donation awareness campaigns in partnership with Canadian Blood Services and working on academic research papers based on findings gathered through those campaigns, which we hope to publish by the end of the year.

No matter where life takes me next, I want to continue practicing “Seva” — selfless service toward others — while carrying the spirit of “Chardikala,” the idea of maintaining an ever-rising spirit and optimism even through challenges. I hope to encourage others to find their own ways of contributing positively to the communities around them.