There are days you never forget.
 
For Soheil Jamshidi, he has had many of them.
 
Some would lead to crucial and definitive decisions in life, often loaded with enjoyment. There were others that amounted to depressing times, challenges, and a test of willpower.
 
In a life filled with glory and adventure, Jamshidi has always been stuck to his principles.
 
The son of immigrants, it was at age four that he, and his family, came to Canada. His parents, both professionals, were always looking for a better way of life for their children and Canada would be the country they would embrace as their new home.
 
A multi-sport athlete in grade school, Jamshidi would go on to graduate from secondary school in Mississauga, earn leadership awards and focus on a career and the journey ahead. His parents hoped he would pursue medical sciences, but Jamshidi hadn't yet finalized his plans.
 
He knew that in life, fame could often get confused with accomplishments. For him, it was being focussed and thirsty for knowledge.
 
At age 18, very much curious and creative, he was fascinated with the study of the mind. It was about the mental process, behavior and understanding the function of the human brain. Doing research on Alzheimer's, a disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, was something that caught his attention.
 
With a university education a key objective, Jamshidi wasn't a fan of the commuter school or a place that felt crowded. It had to be one that suited his goals and would forge positive opportunities and relationships.
 
Known for being one of Canada's elite schools for academic excellence, Jamshidi chose Wilfrid Laurier University. Four years later, he would not only graduate with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology – but gain a wealth of experience that involved sports, fitness, part time work and stories of social companionship.
 
"(Laurier) was the best four years of my life," said Jamshidi, a polite and confident young man. "It was a perfect place for me – the environment, the academics, the size of the campus and there was so much that fit with what I had wanted. I learned so much – and that university life is what you make of it."
 
Living off campus, he would find time for personal fitness with intramural sports, securing employment, volunteering, and meeting people. For Jamshidi, it would be a matter of time before he knew that his future was going in a different direction. Sciences would be replaced by a passion that would focus on the culture and the fast pace of working for a professional sports organization. His interests would focus on working in production and being a social storyteller.
 
"Everything changed when I was 21 years old, in my third year at Laurier and I enjoyed being in the gym," he recalled. "I was always in the (Laurier) Athletic Centre and, one day, while refereeing a basketball game, it occurred to me.  The passion for sciences went away, I wanted a job in sports, knew I would be happy in it and make money."
 
With a superb Laurier education, and the recipient of Golden Hawk award of excellence in 2013 followed by the Bill Haggstrom (male) Contribution to Athletics award two years later, Jamshidi had his career path marked out. 
 
Jamshidi would later take a one-year post grad program at George Brown College and learn about Sport and Event Marketing. That would lead to a co-op experience with a marketing firm, agency exposure and, in 2016, being hired by Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment as a Marketing and Digital Coordinator.

Eight months of the job focussed on work with the 905 G league team of the parent Toronto Raptors in the National Basketball Association, but his success, knowledge, and work ethic lead to the role of lead Social Media Manager for the Toronto Raptors for three years. That included extensive work on the NBA championship run and an important function as the Digital Content Manager at MLSE. 
 
"I was ecstatic and scared when I got my first job," said Jamshidi, who would gain valuable experience and contacts for seven years. "Over the years, it was a high demand job - and I knew that I needed a mental break."
 
He was ready for a little more of a perk in his life and fulfilling his dreams to the next level. For many, every day is pivotal. Jamshidi knew it was time to think bigger. Personality, attitude, and ability to get the job done right would kick in, again.
 
Jamshidi, featured in the latest segment of the "Laurier Grads Soar" series, saw a superb opportunity of increasing his salary, less work and remain in the entertainment industry. He was hired as Head of Social Media and Content with AMP Entertainment, "a creative company run by creators for content lovers". It's based in Atlanta, GA. and requires significant travel to the United States. Jamshidi also started up SBJ Digital, a Toronto-based company focussing on social media and digital work.
 
"I do a fair amount of travelling south of the (Canadian) border," said Jamshidi, who is Persian and was born in Tehran. "My passport shows I was born in Iran, and I am singled out and questioned quite a bit at the airport about where I am going and what I do. I embrace it, but it does take a toll. My friends never get questioned.
 
"In many ways, it's a sign of the world we live in. Life can be tough. You take risks and have to work hard, make sacrifices, stay focussed and enjoy what you do."
 
David Grossman is a veteran multi award-winning Journalist and Broadcaster with some of Canada's major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 45+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations. He is also a former recipient of awards from Ontario University Athletics and USports.