scibus.ca

University Of Waterloo

Magazine of the Waterloo Science and Business Program

2010 Alumni and Grad Edition

Features

6 Graduation Class Profiles By: 2010 Graduates

8 Some Resources to Find the Elusive Job By: Raj Balasingham

10 Looking Back... and Medical School Bound By: Amirthini Tharmalingam

9 From Science and Business to MBA By: Stephanie Bell

4 Science and Business Events: Alumni Dinner By: Melanie Schmedt

Also Inculded

5 Same Degree Two Paths By: Rega Paramsothy and Christina Rupsingh

12 A Major Milestone has Passed By: Yvonne Lae

11 The Journey By: Olivia Siswanto

14 A Reading Week To Remember By: Ashwini Namasivayam

13 A Piece of the Puzzle By: Fatema Zehra Abdallah

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Dear Graduating Class, It has been a pleasure getting to know you and working with you. Thank you for your contributions to this program over the last five years, whether it was being part of the SBSA, Science and Business Ambassadors or even contributing to our various magazine publications and events. The one aspect that I love about this job is that I get to see first hand the passion that our students have for this program. As you graduate I hope you continue to have the enthusiasm for the program and continue to attend our events. Keep in touch, we are always here for you. Don’t hesitate to promote the University of Waterloo along with your program whether you are in Science and Business, Biotechnology Economics or Biotechnology/Charted Accountancy. I know I am very proud of this program and will always promote it at every opportunity. This program has opened many doors for me and I really hope this is the case for you too. In September 2010, I will be pursuing my MBA at Wilfred Laurier University. Even two of my courses from Science and Business transferred over as grad level courses! It has been my pleasure working with you. We wish you all the best in the future. Your success is our success!Once again CONGRATULATIONS! Good Luck in the “Real World.”

Raj BalasinghamProject ManagerCo-Editor

Dear Graduates,

Congratulations on this wonderful achievement! It has been an enjoyable five years for me as you were the cohort that came into the program when I first joined Waterloo in 2005. This cohort also experienced some of the biggest changes to our programs, so thank you for your patience and dedication. It is because of students like you that have made my years at Science and Business as an advisor a rewarding experience. Thank you for supporting and contributing to our events. This support was vital to our various volunteer student groups whether they be the Fusion Conference Board, Science and Business Ambassadors, SBSA, Coordinating Committee or other events. I would also like to thank you for contributing to our magazines over the years and for always being there when called upon. I hope your experience with us has been rewarding and that we can continue to build on our strong relationships as you become our esteemed Alumni. I wish all of you the very best in your future and I am confident that you will be successful in whatever path you choose to venture. I always look forward to hearing back from you and to see how you are doing in your professional life. I hope to hear from you soon!

Kashif MemonProgram Co-ordinator and AdvisorCo-Editor

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Science and Business Events Alumni Dinner

On Saturday February 6th 2010, the Waterloo Science and Business Ambassadors demonstrated that engineering is not the only innovative faculty

on the Waterloo campus. Offering entertainment and the opportunity to exchange information, this year the Ambassadors hoped to create a brand-new impression of the Annual Science and Business Student/Alumni Banquet for Waterloo staff, students and alumni. Creatively stretching a modest budget, the Ambassadors hosted the annual event at the beautiful downtown restaurant Vagabondo on Wellington Street in the heart of Toronto. Moving the venue and changing to a formal but fun atmosphere resulted in the attendance of alumnus more than tripling from last year, and allowed the ambassadors to re-energize the networking process.

The evening began with guests sharing their diverse personal stories while collaborating and competing in a personalized Waterloo trivia game. The winners received not only bragging rights for remembering campus history details and Chem 120 facts, but also received Tim Hortons gift certificates for their morning coffees! When the games ended, both winners and non-winners alike were able to relish the starter course of delicious bruschetta and either a caesar, or mixed greens verde salad. To further tempt their appetites guests had a choice of entrees to keep their palates intrigued. Guests were then able to enjoy their delicious entree; pollo or vitello parmigiana, filet of sol, fettucine Vagabondo or ravioli al pomodoro. Although it was a difficult decision, I eventually chose the fettucine Vagabondo and was lucky enough to delight in the combination of succulent, fresh mushrooms and pieces of sundried tomatoes nestled on top of fettucine noodles covered with a light rose sauce - and believe me, it was every bit as good as it sounds!

Following the four course meal, two comedians shared their unique type of humour instead of a traditional keynote speaker, enhancing the young and modern feel of the

occasion. Science and Business Program Co-ordinator Kashif Memon spoke to students and alumni about our exceptional, cutting-edge program, and led the crowd in acknowledging the remarkable contributions of our former program director, Dr. Owen Ward.

Before thanking guests for their attendance, the Ambassadors raffled off a personalized iPod shuffle, an iPod touch, as well as gifts generously donated by the Alumni office. Finally, as the evening came to end, a DJ played top 40 hits for our listening pleasure, while attendees continued to connect, converse and prepare to leave. Uniting alumni, staff and students with appetizing food and interesting entertainment, the evening proved to be an overall success; the satisfying reward of many months of planning and organizing. As Science and Business Ambassador Stacey Goldman commented:“Although it was a lot of work, being a part of the evening and watching the guests enjoy the great food and company made it all worthwhile. Each Ambassador taking part in various aspects of the planning of the event enabled us to gather insight on how we can go forward next year, with ideas of what we liked and what we can improve upon.”

As a Science and Business student, I am excited and enthusiastic about our future prospects. Meeting and speaking with successful former graduates of the program has inspired me and reinforced an optimistic view of our extraordinary program. Returning in the fall to complete my fourth year of the program, I believe that it is safe to say that the bar will continue to be raised by the Ambassadors of 2010/2011. I am certain that successive Annual Science and Business Student Alumni Banquets will continue to be fresh, novel and noteworthy gatherings of personally, remarkable, original individuals. I look forward to attending many future alumni events!•

By: Melanie Schmedt

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Same Degree Two Paths: The Tale Of Two Scibus Grads

About the Author

Name: Rega ParamsothyYear Graduated: June 2008Program: Science and Business Biology Specializationand a Minor in EconomicsInterests: BasketballWhat’s next: Furthering my education, MBA in finance.

An Alan Cohen quote best describes my state of mind as graduation approaches: “It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly

secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power.” I am very excited about what the future holds for me. I believe that the Science and Business program has given me a range of career options and a diverse skill-set. Specifically, the co-op opportunities offered by our program have been valuable and extremely rewarding. Having worked at the Region of Peel, The Bank of Nova Scotia and Manulife Financial, I obtained a wide range of experience in many different fields in order to discover what I truly enjoyed. It not only provided exposure to obtaining technical skills but also strengthened the soft skills and a better understanding of people behaviour and relationships. I have made a great number of contacts. Working with knowledgeable and skilled field experts on a daily basis, I gained a great insight into the real world. I have found this to be most valuable as I prepare to enter the work force after graduation. The Science and Business workshops have also been great in preparing me to succeed in the future as they have also improved my soft skills. The workshops improved my presentation skills and communication skills two skills that are vital in the workforce.

As for my immediate plans, I intend to pursue pharmacy school. As I finalize my applications, I am ready to enjoy my last semester as an undergraduate student!

To find out what the requirements are for the University of Waterloo’s Pharmacy program please visit the School of Pharmacy website at http://www.pharmacy.uwaterloo.ca.•

About The Author

Name: Christina Rupsingh Year Graduated: April 2009Program: Science and Business Non-SpecializationInterests: Badminton, TravellingWhat’s Next: Pharmacy at the School of Pharmacy at the University of Waterloo’s Downtown Kitchener Campus!

After graduating from University of Waterloo I started off my career in a new grad rotational program at TD Securities in their Global Business

Services. This program gave me varying experiences within the firm as an associate. I was able to work on various high end projects and also learn how to do various daily reports. Overall, this rotational program enabled me to learn various functions within the wholesale banking unit and made me understand the evaluation and cycle of a trade. I completed three rotations each of which was six months long.

My first position was as a Profit and Loss Analyst, for the Structured Product Derivatives Group. This enabled me to understand how a portfolio of structured products was managed and also exposed me to different business strategies.

My next rotation was in a Trade Validation Group for credit derivative products. This gave me a lot of exposure in understanding the credit market and the different parameters that go into the deals to be priced. This gave me the scope to understand how the credit market works.

In my final rotation I worked in the accounting/finance department of the corporate business for the funding desk. This enabled me to understand the accounting world in the trading industry and how the various systems interconnect.

Before entering the real world I would say to the grads to enjoy a little time off and travel before starting off into the workforce.

I am now a full time Risk Analyst in the Foreign Exchange and International Fixed Income Group. This has been very challenging and rewarding in terms of the knowledge I gather on a daily basis. With the ever changing dynamic financial markets, there is something new to learn everyday, and that keeps me very intrigued in my current role.

Science and business helped me to learn different skills and allowed me explore many options before going into the financial markets and wanting a career in finance.•

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Graduating Class Profiles

Name: Kimberley Chow Specialization: BiologyInterests: HikingWhat’s Next: Travelling, graduate studiesEmail: kchow@scimail.uwaterloo.ca

Name: Alex Weiler Specialization: BiochemistryInterests: Sports, medicineWhat’s Next: Medical SchoolEmail: aweiler@uwaterloo.ca

Name: Sharon Blair Specialization: BiochemistryInterests: Yoga, bowling, paintball, dancingWhat’s Next: Move to the city and workEmail: Sharontblair@gmail.com

Name: Goran Klaric Specialization: ChemistryInterests: Soccer, tennis, skiing, video gamesWhat’s Next: Work , maybe graduate studiesEmail: goran.klaric2@gmail.com

Name: Tharshini Navaratnarajah Specialization:BiochemistryInterests: Reading, MoviesWhat’s Next: Work for a year, graduate studiesEmail: tharshini@gmail.com

Name: Daniella Vandervelde Specialization: Biotechnology/CAInterests: Travelling, camping, hiking and petsWhat’s Next: MAcc, then finishing practical experience for my CA designationEmail: d3vander@scimail.uwaterloo.ca

Name: Brenda Fernandes Specialization: BiologyInterests: Reading and travellingWhat’s Next: Work in research, then graduate studiesEmail: bfernand@sciborg.uwaterloo.ca

Name: Shada Batarseh Specialization: BiochemistryInterests: Travelling, cooking , soccerEmail: Shada.Bataresh@gmail.com

Name: Shelby TerrySpecialization:ChemistryInterests: Leafs (unfortunately, next year’s our year)What’s Next: TravelingEmail: terry.shelby@gmail.com

Name: Megan McKenzieSpecialization: BiologyInterests: Playing volleyball, travelling, anything to do with animals and the outdoors What’s Next: I’m planning on taking a year off of school once I graduate, to work, travel and figure out which direction I want to head in for graduate schoolEmail: mmckenzie6@hotmail.com

Megan McKenzie

Name: Ashwini Namasivayam Specialization: BiochemistryInterests: Travelling and readingWhat’s Next: Graduate Studies in Communication DisordersEmail: ashwininama@gmail.com

Please note that the profiles above are select graduate profiles and don’t consitute all graduates

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Name: Alex Weiler Specialization: BiochemistryInterests: Sports, medicineWhat’s Next: Medical SchoolEmail: aweiler@uwaterloo.ca

Name: Fatema Zehra Abdallah Specialization: BiochemsitryInterests: Travelling, sports, languages, experiencing new cultures and cuisinesWhat’s Next: Project Manager for Science and Business August 2010- August 2011Email: fatemaabdallah@gmail.com

Name: Shelby TerrySpecialization:ChemistryInterests: Leafs (unfortunately, next year’s our year)What’s Next: TravelingEmail: terry.shelby@gmail.com

Megan McKenzie

Name: Chan Lau Degree: Science and Business , Chemistry SpecializationInterests: Soccer What’s Next: Grad School (Chemistry)Email: ctlau@scimail.uwaterloo.ca

Name: Mary Uffelmann Specialization: BiologyInterests: Travelling What’s Next: TravellingEmail: muffelma@uwaterloo.ca

Name: Kasie Wong Specialization: ChemistryInterests: Watching TV, bakingWhat’s Next: TravellingEmail: k28wong@sciborg.uwaterloo.ca

Name: Mellie Ho Specialization: ChemistryInterests: TravellingWhat’s Next: TravellingEmail: m9ho@sciborg.uwaterloo.ca

Name: Maya Wakim Specialization: ChemistryInterests: Spending time with friends, family, fishing and learning new languagesWhat’s Next: Working for two year then getting an MBAEmail: maya_wakim@hotmail.com

Name: Nishanthala Endrakumar Specialization: Non SpecializationInterests: Reading, swimmingWhat’s Next: Travel for a yearEmail: nendrakum@gmail.com

Name: Vincent Huang Specialization: ChemistryInterests: Sports, moviesWhat’s Next: WorkEmail: v3huang@uwaterloo.ca

Name: Robert John Stuetzle Specialization: HydrogeologyInterests: Snowboarding, camping, carsWhat’s Next: Graduate SchoolEmail: Robert@RJStuetzle.com

Please note that the profiles above are select graduate

Name: Ben EbySpecialization: Honours Biotechnology/EconomicsInterests: Finance, dodgeball, socializingWhat’s Next: Obtain CLU and CFA designations. Pursue an MBA in 2011 at a top school.Begin a career in independent financial planningEmail: b_eby@hotmail.com

Name: Matthew Lau Specialization: Biotechnology/EconomicsInterests: RaptorsWhat’s Next: Masters in Biotechnology at the Univeristy of Toronto Mississauga CampusEmail: matthewlau81@gmail.com

Fatema Zehra Abdallah

Name: Yvonne LaeSpecialization: BiochemistryInterests: Skiing, shopping, exercising, basketballWhat’s Next: EUROPE and the inevitable FT job in Fall 2010!

Yvonne Lae

profiles and don’t consitute all graduates

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Some Resources to Find the Elusive Job

You have waited five years for this moment. From the moment you stepped into the University of Waterloo you have eagerly gone on to scibus.ca and looked

at your particular program or specialization and wished for the day where you can check off all the courses from the course rubric and be done. Now the moment has arrived, take a deep breath and enjoy every minute of it. For some of you this may be the last time you will get a break like this before you go on to graduate studies or work. Many of you may take a couple of weeks off and go for a vacation. However eventually you will have to face the “real world”. To help you get your foot into some of the organizations, I have managed to put together a list of web sites that may cater to our Science and Business grads.

Before applying to new grad positions make sure your resumes and cover letters are up to date. Register for UW Alumni Services as they have an Alumni Jobmine that has job postings throughout the year from various organizations. There are also many perks of being a UW Alumni such as group life insurance, and car insurance. For more information please visit http://alumni.uwaterloo.ca/alumni.

New Grad Programs

Loblaw New Grad Program

Loblaw offers a variety of new grad rotational programs in either Information Technology, Human Resources, Finance, Marketing or Store Management. All their rotation programs start with a core rotation for six months spent in their store. After the six months you will spend three months learning about the business in their Central Merchandising Operation. Finally the last rotation may be in a specialized role described above. For more information visit the Loblaw website at www.loblawgrad.ca.

RBC

RBC offers a host of new grad programs for students. They may range from Commercial Account Manager, Client Service Representative, and Investment Banking Analyst. Applications are typically due in August for graduates who graduate in the following year. Please visit Royal Bank Canada’s website at http://www.rbc.com/careers/new-programs.html for more information

Be sure to look at CIBC, TD, Scotiabank and BMO for their New Graduate hiring opportunities in early August and also visit their websites for job postings throughout the year.

Direct Energy Leadership Development Program

Direct energy offers a two year rotational program in which you are placed in a wide area of businesses such as project management, finance, marketing, and human resources. For more information please visit Direct Energy’s Website at http://www.directyourenergy.com/opportunities.html and make sure to visit them at the Partenership for Employment at RIM Park which occurs twice a year!

Suncor

Suncor offers a wide variety of opportunities for new graduates. For more information please follow the link http://www.suncor.com/en/careers/345.aspx.

The Ontario Public Service Careers

Ontario Public Service (OPS) is one of the largest employers for the province of Ontario. OPS hires new graduates for a variety of position in the province of Ontario. OPS offers several “focus area positions”. They range from Business and Financial Planning, Communications, Human Resources, Information and Information Technology, Labour Relations, Policy Development, Program and Service Delivery and Project Management. If you are student who are about to graduate or have graduated within the last two years please visit the Ontario Public Service Careers Webiste at http://www.internship.gov.on.ca for more information.

Job Search Websites

These are some of the job search engines that may have new grad positions

Talentegg.caMoster.caWorkopolis.caEluta.caCareerbuilder.comGovJobs.caJobsetc.gc.caKellyservices.ca

Make sure you attend career fairs such as Partnership for Emloyment to see the different opportunities that are out there. Information on the Career Fair can be found at http://www.partners4employment.ca/. You should also create a profile of Linkedin, keep it up to date and complete. Good luck with the job hunt!•

By: Raj Balasingham

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From Science and Business to MBA

Four years ago I knew that I was passionate about science, but curious about business. That is when I decided to pursue an undergraduate degree in

Science and Business at the University of Waterloo. Now, four years later I am still interested in science but have learned that my true passion lies in business. Through the extracurricular opportunities that the program offers I was able to learn about business and develop skills that have helped me achieve my goals. Having been involved with SBSA and its conference planning throughout my undergraduate term I learned how to network effectively, how to plan and execute an event and most importantly how to deal with stress and manage my time.

Currently I am pursuing my Masters in Business Administration at Wilfrid Laurier University. I have just completed my first term of school, and have begun my first coop term with McCain Foods as a business analyst for corporate development. I truly feel that my success thus far reflects the Science and Business program. Not only did the program give me the tools to perform academically, but it also gave me the opportunity to develop business skills outside of the classroom. In the workshops, case studies provided me an opportunity to apply analytical thinking and creative thought to real life situations. The MBA program is heavily case based and I find that I constantly apply the tools I have learned from Science and Business in the MBA program. Additionally the experiences I have gained through extracurricular activities during my four years at UW have really helped me during interviews and in networking. I am able to pull on my experiences and parallel them to the classroom and the workplace. I am able to think on my feet and problem solve quickly. Additionally, I am able to think about problems from a 360 degree

perspective and provide solutions that will last. In my coop role I am able to understand performance at the product level due to my science background, and analyze the impact at the business level due to my business knowledge.

Science and Business exposes its students to many areas of business pulling them in many directions. It is a demanding program due to the diverse course content and degree of group work required. The MBA is no different in terms of the pace at which content is covered, the level of expectations and the demands of group work. However, I was able to keep on top of my work, both group and individual, and I thank Science and Business for that. I think having this program as an undergraduate degree gives me an edge, a new way of thinking and keeps me one step ahead of the pack. The MBA truly compliments what Science and Business offers. I feel that the Wilfrid Laurier MBA is a fit for me and highly recommend the program to other Science and Business students who want to dive into business, enjoy team work and a fast paced environment.

If I could offer any advice to students now it would be to make the time and get involved. We are all busy and can get caught up in our day to day affairs. BUT I believe that challenging yourself to take on extra responsibilities will pay off in your future. There are some things you simply cannot learn in a classroom and I urge you to join a club or volunteer to help organize an event. People skills, networking skills and time management are only learned by doing. I would have never fallen in love with business if I had simply read a textbook. I found my passion from doing business.

Wilfred Laurier has part-time MBA, full time MBA, and full time MBA co-op in Waterloo. Full time MBA is a one year program while MBA co-op full time is a two year program and the part time program is three and a third year that is offered in either the Waterloo campus or Downtown Toronto. For more information on the Wilfred Laurier MBA please visit their website at www.wlu.ca/mba.•

Stephanie Bell presenting a case study

By:Stephanie Bell

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Looking back... and Medical School Bound

At the age of 18, when I did not know what I wanted to do the following week let alone the rest of my life, picking the right university and program for

me seemed like an overwhelming task. In the end, I chose Biotechnology and Economics at Waterloo because I felt this program allowed me to open more doors, rather than restrict myself to one field, especially when I was unsure of my future goals. As a recent graduate, I can definitely say this is exactly what this program has done for me.

One of the best advantages of this program was the cooperative education (co-op) option. Although Biotechnology and Economics was only offered with co-op, I would recommend to anyone, who has a choice, to choose the co-op option. The co-op program itself allows you to have 4 or 5 work terms of experience under your belt by the time you graduate which is something that will definitely set you apart from many other recent graduates vying for the same position. Moreover, with the Science and Business program I was able to try my hand a variety of different jobs and gained skills and experience I otherwise would not have had the opportunity to do. My diversified experience really helped me decide which direction I wanted to go in and which field I wanted to focus on.

Another advantage of the science and business program is that it allows you to be more marketable. Even without job experience, during my first couple of interview rounds I found that employers were intrigued with the combination of two seemingly independent fields. I felt they were more receptive to those who were more flexible in terms of their background, not just in terms of experience, but theoretical knowledge as well. The program allowed me to draw from a larger breadth of knowledge, which helped me better customize my credentials when presenting myself to a potential employer.

Finally, the resources available to students of this program are tremendous. The faculty members were extremely helpful in providing advice, insight, as well as tips on topics ranging from exam preparations to resume critiquing. Also, the program coordinators were very adept at maintaining a collaborative environment for students by holding many social gatherings, informative sessions, and many other events aimed at enhancing the students’ educational experience.

Currently working as a Technical Specialist at a biotechnology company called Nova Century Scientific, I find that I am able to apply both aspects of my program. I provide technical support for diagnostic kits and equipment ranging from pregnancy tests to LC-MS/MS (HPLC and tandem mass spectrometry). My responsibilities include troubleshooting problems, product training, and preparation of technical documents and informative materials for the wide variety of medical devices we distribute. I also manage regulatory affairs to ensure all processes and procedures adhere to Health Canada policies as well as ISO 13485 regulations, set forth by the International Organization for Standardization for proper distribution of products of this nature.

Finally, I am also asked to help prepare business cases for potential product lines and companies in order to gauge market need and analyze risks associated with taking on new partnerships. Even with my first full-time position after graduating, I can clearly see how I am able to make so many different facets of this program work to my benefit. Regardless of where I go from here, all that I have learned and gained from this program will only help propel me towards my goals. The Science and Business program has not only allowed me to take advantage of some amazing opportunities but has placed the foundation of stepping stones for me to pursue my future goals as well. The program really showed me which subjects I enjoyed, what aspects of both fields I did not like, and has really helped me narrow down what I would like to be doing ten years down the road. However it has also opened doors in other areas of my life. For example, it was through events and gatherings held by the student body that I have gotten involved with many admirable organizations such as the Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, and Canadian Blood Services. In addition, it was through this program that I’ve also met some of my closest friends and people I still turn to for advice or direction. So my advice for all of you future graduates is this, go out, take risks, try doing things you never thought you could and meet new people. Do not think of university as an obstacle to overcome before your real life starts because these four or five years of your life are really when you get to really think about how to shape your future. On a side note in May 2010 Amrithini Tharmalingam was admitted to the University of Toronto Medicine Program we wish her all the best!• ion the positive, learn from the negative, and squeeze in some fun wherever and whenever you can.

By: Amirthini Tharmalingam

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to food industry. Everything I learned about marketing, market research, accounting, management science and other business-related courses help me see things from business point of view.

My goal is to create a better life for people who live with diabetes and to have my own counseling company someday. For the time being, I am focusing on accumulating as many relevant experiences as possible and preparing myself for my dietetic internship. I currently volunteer for a Diabetes Education Centre in a Health Centre in Toronto that develops a program that focuses on diabetes prevention.

This reflection is not a success story of mine. Success is such a strong word and I feel that I still have a long road ahead of me. However, I am thankful for the chance to grow personally and academically at the University of Waterloo. I was once a very shy person who was afraid to step out of my comfort zone and had zero experience on my resume but I dared myself to take on challenges and seek experiences. My journey was not always smooth but as Randy Pausch once said that “the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough” and I am here today to chase my dream that I want so badly. My message to my fellow Science and Business students: 1) find what you are passionate about, 2) be persistent and 3) do not wait for opportunity to come, go out and explore new opportunities!

Olivia was featured in the Waterloo Daily Bulletin in August 2008 please follow the link to see a copy of the article: http://www.bulletin.uwaterloo.ca/2008/aug/13we.html

Olivia also did a video presentation for the University of Waterloo. This can be found at the following link:http://www.findoutmore.uwaterloo.ca/profiles.•

The Journey

As an International Student from Indonesia, my decision to study in Canada was similar to randomly throwing a dart at a map but my six years (and

counting) of journey in Canada has been the most wonderful chapter in my life. In fall 2005, with limited experience in Canada, I came to Waterloo to pursue my studies in Science and Business. I was not sure what my future career was going to be but all experiences I acquired while in Waterloo have led me to where I am now.

In my second year of studies in Waterloo, I realized that every nutrition-related article or issue prompted me to delve deeper into the topic. I kept telling myself “I want to know more!” Instead of transferring to another school, I decided to continue on with my studies in Science and Business because I found the courses to be very useful and interesting and I wanted to gain some work experiences through co-op program. I read books, talked to people and took courses such as Human Physiology, Food Microbiology and Metabolism to give me a good start. Moreover, I found other courses such as Psychology, CS 200 and Business Law to be useful in everyday lives.

During my undergraduate studies, I had two valuable co-op work terms and was actively involved either as a volunteer or a participant in many events organized by the International Student Office (ISO) and the International Student Connections. My involvement with the ISO led me to an opportunity to share my story as an international student during the announcement about a new immigration program (Canadian Experience Class). This experience taught me that one of the benefits of getting involved in clubs and organizations is that you can create a network of relationships and they might offer you wonderful opportunities that you never thought possible.

I am currently pursuing my second degree in Nutrition and Food at Ryerson University. I transferred my credits over to Ryerson University so I need to complete all nutrition-related courses. Many students in this program who are also second degree/transfer students bring with them interesting backgrounds such as art, photography, kinesiology, and psychology. My background as a Science and Business student helps me bring a unique perspective to this program. There are so many things that you can do with a degree in Nutrition and Food from clinical nutrition, community nutrition

By: Olivia Siswanto

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the student, it was the student that moulds the program. Every time I spoke about Science and Business, the employ-ers saw the passion and pride that was behind every word I said. I even saw this attitude and characteristic amongst other students in Science and Business. If you ask any of them, they would be very proud to be “Sci Busers”.

After many work terms in a variety of fields during my co-op experiences, I had come to realize that the exposure and opportunity for students at UW were endless. There was no doubt that I was scared during my first co-op term at a very lucrative data company as a consultant. This was a time where I had to get used to coming into a nine to five job and simply avoid making my boss mad. These skills were priceless as I learned how to get into the groove of working full time as a co-op student. I will never forget my second co-op term where I had worked for PwC accounting firm. I had gained confidence as a student working in a hectic busi-ness environment before so I was more excited than scared this time around. The turning point of my co-op experience was on my fourth day at work where I had come to realize that I had met everyone in the office but a man behind two sliding office doors. Indeed it looked intimidating but I just had to walk over - even if it was just to take a peek. So I marched right into his office and knocked on his door. Little did I know that this would be one of the best decisions I could have made in my career life. A very busy man looked up from his desk, raised an eyebrow and had a puzzled look on his face. The next words out of my mouth were, “Hello there, I am the new co-op student from UW and I just wanted to introduce myself to you, my name is Yvonne and I sit around the corner”. Moments later, I was walking down the hallway back to my desk. The next day, he called me into his office. As I walked into his office, through the two sliding doors, the man looked up and told me that his name was Steve and that he was a partner of the firm - a partner who had never been introduced to a co-op student before, let alone had a student walk into his office to introduce themself. He actually told me that students come and go so fast that he hardly gets a chance to meet them and this just became the routine over the years. It was to my surprise that I was actually the first co-op student he had met and could put a name to a face. To this day, we still keep in touch. He

had taught me the importance of networking and I learned a lot from him during my co-op experience too. A few words to the 2010 Science and Business Graduating Class: Thanks for getting on the Magic Sci Bus, it was one heck of a ride!!!Ever since then, the amount of confidence and skills I had gained set me on a path to many more successful co-op

terms over the next few years. If I could do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing.•

It all started in September 2005, on my first day of school as a UW undergraduate student. I remember it all so clearly. Fortunately, a few friends of mine from

my high school were also attending school at Waterloo so I was not alone. We all walked into the SLC together to get our student ID pictures taken. I remember looking at my student card and my eyes widened as I read on the bottom right corner, “Expires: April 2010”. I could not believe it; did I really just sign myself up for 5 years at this school? Is this really what I want to do with my life? Will I make new friends? I was overwhelmed with questions that just seemed to flood my mind one after the other. Little did I know that the next 5 years would be the most memorable experience of my student life. Science and Business was my first choice from the start of my University application process. The reason why I chose this program has remained with me until now - I love science and I love business. I didn’t want to limit myself from one field by specializing in the other. I wanted the best of both worlds. It had definitely exceeded every expectation because the program itself was very unique. Unlike other specialty pro-grams at UW, where one would specialize in one particular field, Science and Business was truly unique in that one day I would be taking a biology course and the next, an account-ing course. The multiple disciplines of this program helped me gain the skills of multitasking, planning and organizing, and constantly thinking outside the box. In other words, I would be sitting in biology class with biology majors one day and attend an accounting class alongside accounting students the very next day. It had occurred to me that I was learning with students who specialized in their field of ex-pertise and studied their program topics extensively. At first, it seemed difficult because everyone’s mind set was focussed right away whereas I had to flip flop from science courses to business courses and vice versa day after day. Over time, this became a transferable skill and a discipline of mine that I would soon bring into other courses and eventually into the workplace. It was also useful to gain different perspectives in class from other students.

Another bonus about the Science and Business program was the option to be in the co-operative program. Not only had this allowed me to apply my skills to a variety of jobs in various fields but the many extensive interview processes provided me with “real life” interview experiences. At every interview I had at Waterloo, there was not once where I hadn’t mentioned my program. This had always been a hot topic of discussion at my interviews. The more and more I had explained the Science and Business program, the more I had come to realize that it was not the program that moulds

A Major Milestone has passedBy:Yvonne Lae

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A Piece of the Puzzle

My time at the University of Waterloo has taught me to truly understand a message my parents repeated during my childhood; one that I was

told to pay attention to yet would not appreciate the value of until experience, self-development, or perhaps even breaking away from home, allowed me to recognize. The lesson: Education comes in all forms; from history, books, people, and every encounter whether it is a successful or failed venture. There has been constant encouragement from my family to keep learning, but more importantly my own realization that education does not end with a diploma or a degree mounted on your wall. Learn to apply the knowledge you gain, to contribute to a purpose and to make a difference. Upon completion of my undergraduate degree I have reflected how the last four years contributed to my individual growth and my preparation in order to enter the workforce.

The Science and Business Program at UW

The unique combination of the two disciplines, Science and Business, makes for a distinct skill set in SciBus students. My reason for enrolling in the program was a combination of my inquisitive nature as a scientist as well as my passion to engage in business through problem-solving and interacting with people. Since joining the program in 2006 I was pleased to be swiftly exposed to both fields. This combination has allowed me to recognize the need for integrating these diverse disciplines in industry today to develop the skills for a cross-enterprise leader. As SciBus students, we are educated to understand a scientific technology as well as trained to be flexible in our ability to absorb and understand the technical workings of different products. We are prepared to understand the stages of product development in taking an idea or innovation from initial R&D to consumers. The SciBus workshops have been fundamental in practicing this commercialization process. While it is easier to hide yourself in a typical class of 300 students at UW, the SciBus workshops are designed to fix a spotlight onto each student and encourage them to engage in presentations and group discussions. As a result, my time at UW has allowed me to cultivate my capabilities in creative problem-solving, presentations, group work, leadership and entrepreneurship. Additionally, the thought process in scientific experimental method - from developing a theory and formulating a hypothesis, to making and testing predictions - is a tool I have found useful in applying to the rational assessment of the commercialization potential and evaluating the success of a product’s development. Unlike the majority of SciBus students, I opted out of the

co-op stream. Doing so opened up an opportunity to invest in a variety of student initiatives on campus. I quickly moved to seizing leadership opportunities in some of the student clubs; over the course of my time at UW, I have been VP of Marketing for the Science and Business Student’s Association, Co-Lead Ambassador in the SciBus mentorship group, an Executive Board Member of the annual Fusion Conference, a Representative in the program’s Coordinating Committee, a Member of the Impact Entrepreneurship Group, and a Participant of soccer intramurals to name a few. Integrating into the campus community has been pivotal in realizing my long-term interests. Moreover, I have gained a network of friends and colleagues whose viewpoints have influenced my understanding of diverse cultures, exposure to different opinions, and the challenge of engaging in debates. As an international student from Tanzania, it was important to me to maintain my connection to home; I was able to do so in choosing the regular stream of study. I finished my Undergraduate Degree in four years and was able to use my summers to invest in volunteer and work positions in Tanzania that were flexible in maximizing the learning opportunities and versatility of skills I wanted to learn. This has allowed for me to realize the career path I plan to take after pursuing an MBA combined with International Development for my Master’s Degree.

Some Recommendations

The culture and nature of the community at the University of Waterloo has inspired me to keep learning. While my Undergraduate Degree ends, I’ve realized that my time at UW will add to the pieces of the puzzle I refer to as a metaphor for my life. As I have a greater awareness of the industry and how to prepare for work, I have realized that the learning process never ends. In today’s fast paced economy, individuals need to be equipped with the ability to recognize and capitalize on new opportunities. Additionally, they need to be able to understand the culture of communities they are in and the way they operate before addressing their needs. With that said, to those of you still at UW or looking to join the program, make the most of the time you have left. Build your personal brand amongst your peers, professors, and industry professionals. Seek opportunities to be inspired in the people you meet, the events you attend, and the job opportunities that become available to you, especially if you have chance to travel and immerse yourself into new cultures. Who knows you might hit the spark that ignites within you a passion to change the status quo. No single institute can take absolute credit for who we grow to be, but it is a piece of a puzzle that shapes who we are and impacts who we become.•

By: Fatema Zehra AbdallahBy:Yvonne Lae

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A Reading Week To Remember...

On my first morning in Jinotepe, Nicaragua, a small town with a population of only 5,000, I was awoken by the rising sun. Though it was 6:30AM, I

didn’t mind at all – the gorgeous sunrise was incomparable to the dreary winter weather I had left just a day earlier in Waterloo. I was soon up and ready to begin Spanish lessons in preparation for my volunteer placement at a school for mentally and physically disabled children. I desperately wanted to be able to communicate as much as I could with these children. Los Pipitos, the school where I would be volunteering for the week, offers the children who are autistic, have Down syndrome, are deaf, or who have epilepsy, amongst a host of other limitations, a place to learn basic, yet important, life skills so that they can feel a sense of self-worth in society.

Prior to this trip, I had never really cultivated the patience nor a kindly disposition towards learning the Spanish language. However, when faced with having to survive in a foreign, non-English speaking country, I was left with little choice. Needless to say, I picked up the basics and relied on my fellow volunteers to help me out during our stay. I had come on this trip not only to learn Spanish, but also to do something against the norms for a university student over Reading Week. I had no interest in going down south to a resort with my friends and coming back with few memories of the week intact. I wanted to spend the last Reading Week of my university career doing something meaningful; something I could look back on and remember with vivid detail, something that would make me appreciate all that I have. This decision was met with angst from most of those close to me. How could I think to travel to somewhere so dangerous, with people I didn’t even know? Why was I

choosing to spend money to volunteer? (According to many people, I should have been getting paid.) All the opposition just made me want to go to Nicaragua even more, and prove to everyone that I could return unscathed after having the experience of a lifetime. And, that is exactly what I did.

My volunteer placement in Nicaragua involved refurbishing some of the classrooms and other areas of the school, as well as working with the students while they weren’t in class. We had the opportunity to play with the children, participate in dance classes with them, and teach them arts and crafts. Despite their limitations, these children were vibrant and full-of-life. From the moment our volunteer group entered the school, the children were amazed by us.

You could automatically tell that they rarely received the amount of attention that we were able to give them.

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15Many of them greeted us with hugs and kisses everyday when we arrived, and all of them thoroughly enjoyed having their picture taken, or taking our cameras and taking pictures of us! As they watched their school transform due to our hard work throughout the week, the delight seen on their faces was not only motivating, but also inspiring. These children, all born with some sort of disability, didn’t seem fazed by the things we thought of as holding them back. Moreover, they seemed more than satisfied with the little they had to play with, which in their case was limited to a couple of balls. They were able to amuse themselves without video games or other electronics that the North American society seems to be so obsessed with. I came to realize that us North Americans have been bred to want more, and hardly realize the difference between ‘want’ and ‘need’. We get so caught up in acquiring the newest gadget, being better than the next person, and are consumed with petty drama. Meanwhile, only a couple thousand kilometers south of us, most people are living on less than $2 a day. It almost seems absurd that back home I often spend $6 on a Starbucks coffee.

This experience made me realize that there is so much beyond the bubble that is North America. We have more than most of the other 5.5 billion people on this planet even dream of, and yet, we take most of it for granted. I realized that a simple smile and hug can easily brighten a child’s day. I enjoyed every minute of my time in Nicaragua; a place where I was told not to venture. Despite the language barrier, I enjoyed watching the children interact and attempt to communicate with me, although most of the time I had no clue what they were saying. I soon came to see that there was a universal language that didn’t require talking. I never imagined that I could have as much fun as I did working during a week that was designated as a break from school. And what sweetened the deal was knowing that I was making a difference in the lives of children who were seen as outcasts within their culture.

There is a lesson that I’d like to convey to all of you: Just because something seems way out of your comfort zone, against the norms, or those closest to you oppose it, doesn’t mean you should write it off. Take some chances, make your own decisions and, for the relatively short time you’re on this Earth, do things that will make you happy. It doesn’t necessarily have to be travelling to a foreign country to help mentally and physically disabled children. It can be anything; from pursuing your dream to play the guitar, to standing up for the things you believe in when others are contesting your views. In the end, you’ll be exposed to contrary, unique and enriching experiences that will help shape and sculpt your worldview for the better.•

scibus.ca: 2010 Alumni and Grad Edition

Co-Editor: Kashif Memon

Layout Producer, Co-Editor: Raj Balasingham (rjbalasi@uwaterloo.ca)

Special Thanks to Dr. Owen Ward

Photography Credits: Fatema Abdallah, Raj Balasingham, Stephanie Bell, Yvonne Lae, Megan Mckenzie, Ashwini Namasivayam, Christina Rupsingh, Melanie Schmedt, Olivia Siswanto, Amirthini Tharmalingam, University of Waterloo Graphics

Publisher: Science and Business Program, University of Waterloo

For more information about the Science and Business program please visit: www.scibus.uwaterloo.ca