Blog posts archive

January 2014

The Hidden Force Behind Our Student Experience

This upcoming winter, I will begin my third year of Arts and Business with a major in Psychology. I am currently on my second co-op work term, where I am working for the University of Waterloo’s Office of Advancement.

Doing My (Small) Part to Build Canadian Tech

I started with a world-class education and took the scenic route to entrepreneurship. I graduated from the University of Waterloo in 1998 with a degree in mechanical engineering.

What I learned from Alumni Relations

I am a fourth year Therapeutic Recreation student and I am currently on my last co-op term working for Alumni Relations.

The Games Institute at UWaterloo and Why We Need It

The Games Institute officially came into being in June 2011.

Learning Something New Everyday

In 2010, when I decided to move from Iran to Canada my goal was to graduate with a professional degree from one of the best Canadian universities, and that is why I chose Waterloo!

International Education Week

Paying it Forward

National Philanthropy Day is November 15th and in the spirit of Philanthropy, Alumni Relations caught up with Devon Fillion, a current student in the Faculty of Science who has aspirations to give back to Waterloo as an alumnus.

Stay Connected with Co-op Connection

With the passing of October’s 109th convocation ceremonies, the University of Waterloo was pleased to welcome its newest members to the alumni club. Convocation is time that reminds all alumni to stay connected to the University of Waterloo.

Tapping into Technical Talent

Sebastian Fung (BAFM ’12) graduated from the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Accounting and Financial Management in the fall of 2012. Having lived in Velocity during his third year of undergraduate studies, Sebastian was always intrigued by the prospect of starting his own company one day.

My Journey from Waterloo to Medical School

After graduating from the University of Waterloo with a major in Honours Science in 2013, I decided to do something that really frightened me – I decided to take a year off. After being in school in succession for 16 years, this seemed like the worst idea possible. To be honest, I was slightly ashamed about telling my family and friends about it.

Why Alumni Relations?

As a 3rd year Legal Studies and Business student when I began my co-op term in Alumni Relations, I was often asked “Why Alumni Relations?”

Interview with Thalmic Labs

Stephen Lake, Matthew Bailey, and Aaron Grant are the co-founders of one of Canada’s hottest start-ups, Thalmic Labs. Their product, the Myo gesture control armband, uses electromyography (EMG) and motion sensors to transform your arm into a remote control. 

My first Reunion as an Alumni!

The Warrior Tribe - Reviving School Spirit

Looking south of the border we see an alarming difference between varsity sports in the NCAA compared to that in the CIS. Attendance at games, tailgating, and the blind loyalty that students and alumni have for their school  sports teams is enormous in comparison to that of Canadian universities.

Tips for Reunion 2014!

For those of you I have not had the pleasure of meeting yet, my name is Jenn Bentley and I am the Alumni Officer, Reunions and Events. I coordinate Reunion in partnership with the faculties, colleges and departments on campus to bring one exciting event together for you.

Reunion with International Alumni

In my role with Alumni Relations as the Alumni Officer, International, I have the privilege of working with University of Waterloo alumni around the world.  I witness first-hand the tremendous impact our grads are having not only here in Canada but across the globe too and I am consistently inspired by their talent and tenacity. 

Remembering where it all began

When I first started as an optometry student at the University of Waterloo I didn’t realize that I was also becoming a part of a family that would stay together through school, careers and life.

Keeping Athletics in the Family

It’s fitting that in our home football and rugby will always be part of our lives since that’s how my husband and I met. Respectively we both played varsity athletics at UWaterloo and we continue to coach at Bluevale Collegiate Institute in Waterloo where we teach.

My UWaterloo Journey

As a small town kid from Southwestern Ontario with parents having no high school diploma I was very enthused to be accepted to the well-respected University of Waterloo Engineering Program in 2000. My excitement quickly turned into panic when I scored 40-something percent on the dreaded engineering entry exam.

Becoming a Life-long Learner

The Arts department was an experimental and exciting place in the early 1970's. Experiential Human Relations courses, my psychology courses, and the student run volunteer counseling program  in the campus centre, The Rap Room, set me on course to a highly satisfying and successful career in clinical Social Work.

Learning to stay connected as a future UWaterloo grad

As an undergraduate co-op student, working at the University of Waterloo has given me the opportunity to meet students, staff, and faculty. I get to experience different positions that have allowed me to experience the other side of the University most students don’t get to see. But what happens after I graduate?

The science of Rock N’ Roll meets a new generation of future Waterloo grads

Consider this – that the power of Rock n’ Roll over human musical history has been one big scientific experiment? The new exhibit at the Ontario Science Centre gives you the proof to this surprising hypothesis.

Welcome to the “Real World” – Devoid of 4-Month Rotations

After graduating this June, everyone keeps telling me “welcome to the real world.” And I’ve been trying to figure out what this so called “real world” is. How is it different? What does it mean? Am I ready for it?

Turning an idea into an e-boutique opportunity

 
 

Photos by Tanja-Tiziana Burdi for NOW! Magazine.

Answering the age-old question “What do you do with an arts degree?"

I still remember the wave of panic that washed over me three weeks before the end of my final term at Waterloo. The age-old question “what do you do with an arts degree?” hung over my head, and seemed to be amplified into a terrifying “what do you do with a Sexuality, Marriage and Family Studies degree?” to which I had no answer.

The Story of Matboard

The story of Matboard and More, like any good story, begins with love.  As unlikely as that sounds, the winding path to success for the fastest growing e-commerce business in the custom matting and framing industry originates with that most basic emotion.  Co-founders Mehdi and Reza Kajbaf, two University of Waterloo alumni brothers share their story on how it all came to be.

Convocation at a Glance

Last week marked the University of Waterloo’s 108th convocation. Hundreds of graduates crossed the stage to receive their degree, beginning a new chapter in their lives as alumni of the University of Waterloo.  These new graduates are now part of the UWaterloo alumni community which is a family of over 169,000. Welcome to the club our newest alumni!

We are pleased to share this fun infographic that shows just what goes into making convocation a day to remember.

Alumni Entrepreneurs Share Adventures with Undergrads in Start up Course Part 3

Hello again! I am Wayne Chang bringing you part 3 of the BET 300 – Foundations of Venture Creation at the Conrad Business Entrepreneurship and Technology Centre speaker blog series.

Alumni Entrepreneurs Share Adventures with Undergrads in Start up Course Part 2

Hello again! I am Wayne Chang bringing you part 2 of the BET 300 – Foundations of Venture Creation at the Conrad Business Entrepreneurship and Technology Centre speaker blog series.

The second alumnus I would like to feature who has spoken in our BET 300 class to students about their entrepreneurship experience is John Zupancic, Founder of Wriber Inc., Masters of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET), Faculty of Engineering, 2012.

No Such Thing as an Unassisted Goal

Over my four years at Waterloo, one of the things that I learned about myself, that I’ll definitely remember, is that I like to be busy. For me, it was just a lifestyle in high school; it just made sense to join clubs and committees, and I never gave it a second thought. Somewhere during second year I realized that I like t​o be busy.

Priceless Experiences with Valuable Lessons

No Incredible Hulk With This Kind Of Radiation

My Romp Through East Africa In Search Of Personal Growth

After a fulfilling 5 years at the University of Waterloo, most of my class mates found their way into full time positions and began their lives as young professionals. Whether it was in search of passion, pride, money or knowledge; we were hungry for success and needed to maximize the degrees we now held. Our studies in Environment and Business had offered us a multidisciplinary lens on challenges that will face the world for decades to come.

Those Days in Hagey Hall

As a University of Waterloo Department of English grad (BA ‘08, Literature and Rhetoric; MA ‘10, Rhetoric and Communication Design), I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to share where my UWaterloo Arts education led me.

Brewing up opportunity over a cup of joe

I often refer to myself as an entrepreneur by mistake. When I started school at UWaterloo I had no idea that I would eventually start my own business. The turning point for me was when I experienced firsthand how powerful something as simple as a conversation over coffee can be.

Tell Us Your Story

2013 was a big year for the alumni blog. We have had many inspiring, talented and interesting alumni share their stories and we even won a silver medal in the CASE awards in the Best Blog category. Readership and interest continues to grow, and we couldn’t be happier to see more and more stories coming in from our alumni.

Greetings from the new Vancouver Alumni Chapter

Hello from the Co-Presidents of the very newly launched University of Waterloo Alumni Chapter in Vancouver, BC!

Alumni Entrepreneurs Share Adventures with Undergrads in Start-up Course

My name is Wayne Chang and I teach BET 300 – Foundations of Venture Creation at the Conrad Business Entrepreneurship and Technology Centre. In this class, we have had the privilege of having various successful UWaterloo alumni come to talk to students about their entrepreneurship experiences.

In a series of posts, I would like to showcase these outstanding alumni and share their stories with you.

Climate Change: Joining the Dots

I spoke to my father last weekend as I do for my routine check-in, as a son living away from his parents and siblings and he started talking about conversations that are bubbling up more and more regarding climate change and its impacts. He lives in a smallish town (population of 13,000) in rural Hampshire, UK.

A Connected Environment

In high school, I was very timid and withdrawn, with only a sense of responsibility and concern for the environment to help guide my choice in a university program. Impressed by UWaterloo’s co-op program and interested in the relatively new (at the time) Environment and Business program, I came to Waterloo in pursuit of a Bachelor of Environmental Studies in 2005.

The Road to Presidency

There are a few questions that I keep hearing during my time at UWaterloo, “How is __ going to help you in the future?” and “What are you involved with on campus?” I have received these questions from various people: professors, co-workers, managers, fellow students, friends, and family. I didn’t realize the importance of these questions at first.

Opportunity through Sport

My name is Mandy Bujold and I am currently a second year student at the University of Waterloo, working towards my undergrad in Liberal Studies.

Giving Back – How it Benefits Your Community

They always say that we, as people, should always look for meaningful ways to give back, contribute to things that have provided us with the opportunities to where we are today, and create a stronger sense of community among like-minded people.

My UWaterloo Life

Cultural support in a friendly, welcoming environment

Boozhoo, Ahnii, Hello!

Discovering Peru: The Beyond Borders Experience

My name is Wil Schmor, and I am in my second year at UWaterloo, studying Global Business and Digital Arts.

When I started attending workshops for the Student Leadership Program and enrolling in RS170 in Winter 2013, I never imagined that it would lead me to preparing for a 90 day trip in Peru this summer.

UWaterloo’s Giving Spirit

As both an alumnus and employee of UWaterloo, I have strong ties to this university and give back in a variety of ways. I made the decision to start donating to the Keystone Campaign (UWaterloo’s fundraising initiative for faculty, staff and retirees) when I started working here in 2004.

The Cola Road

As the new Programs Assistant on the Alumni Relations team, and a recent graduate from UW, I am filled with pride when I hear about the great ideas that are changing the world involving our Alumni…not that I'm biased or anything.

Be a part of research, not the scary kind!

Research? Like a guinea pig?  All my associations with being a part of research beforehand were lab rats and potential risk for developing a third eye, but I assure you that is not the case. 

GotMyBeans- The journey of two alumni

Coffee is the solution to many problems in university: all-nighters, difficult math problems, lack of term paper ideas, early classes, late classes, boring classes, and the list goes on…  

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