Waterloo Engineering in one word:
Opportunities
I choose Waterloo Engineering because:
I came from a small high school and wanted to be in a close and supportive community right from day 1. BME at Waterloo takes a multidisciplinary design approach which was different than other programs I applied to in high school which gives me more exposure to the many fields within biomedical engineering.
The best thing about my program is:
The SYDE-BME community! I enjoy how collaborative my class and everyone is very friendly. Our department also responds to our feedback very well, which helps make this new program better for the incoming students every year.
About my Co-op experience:
My past two co-op jobs have been in biomedical research, working in different kinds of wet labs to develop novel technology that uses biological systems. My first job was in the BioMEMS Lab in UBC where I was working on ways to use a biodegradable membrane to grow cells in a 3D structure for an airway-on-a-chip tissue model. My second job was at a startup in Waterloo where I was working on a medical device for allergy testing. Both my jobs have allowed me to use skills I’ve learned in class and also acquire many new lab skills not taught in school.
I wish I had known before I came:
Imposter syndrome. Coming to Waterloo where everyone is from the top of their class, it’s easy to think that you don’t belong here when you’re surrounded by so many other equally talented people. However, you got here on your own personal achievements, and going forward, it doesn’t matter so much who is any better than you because you’re all in this together. At the end of the day, you’ll all graduate with the same degree!
Outside the classroom, I’m involved with:
Engineering Ambassadors tour guide and leadership team; in the past as Outreach Lead, and currently as Team Lead. I have helped implement the EngChats program for online voice calls with ambassadors and now as the Team Lead, I am responsible for coordinating the main activities of ambassadors and seeking new opportunities for growth of our organization.
I am also the e-NABLE Team Lead for the Biomechatronics Design Team. Our design team focuses on making assistive and prosthetic devices. My group specifically 3D prints prosthetic hands.
Outside all of that, I enjoy cooking and baking with my roommates, playing board games and video games, and doing puzzles.
One more thing about me:
I’m an out-of-province student from Delta, BC (around Vancouver). Also, please feel free to contact any of our ambassadors if you have any questions! We are here to talk to you about Waterloo Engineering so you can make a well-informed university decision.
For ambassadors inquires, please contact me at lead@engambassadors.uwaterloo.ca (S19 and W20)