Having weathered the COVID-19 pandemic far from home, Waterloo Engineering alum and Muay Thai instructor, Qianshu Wang (BASc ‘19, Nanotechnology Engineering) is back in Waterloo figuring out his next move.
As he reboots for his next adventure (he’s interested in semi-conductor engineering in Germany or the Netherlands), Wang highlights his involvement with the Recent Engineering Alumni Council (REAC) for helping him through some challenging times over the past couple of years.
How would you describe the transition from student to alum?
It can be pretty overwhelming. No two experiences will be the same but for many recent alumni, adjusting to life outside all the student communities and networks that have held and guided you for the past four or five years is hard. There’s massive pressure to find work and for some people it happens quite quickly, particularly for those who transition from their co-ops into full-time employment. Others, like me, might take a bit longer and this can add more stress to a period of intense change.
What is REAC?
REAC launched in 2021 so it’s still a very new program. It’s made up of Waterloo Engineering alumni whose efforts help keep our community of recent alumni (those who have graduated over the last 10 years) connected to the University’s extensive network. These council members build and maintain this bridge through events, giving back and communications. Our work is also geared at supporting current engineering students to foster greater connections between alumni and students.
Any guidance for students and other recent alumni?
When you do head off into the unknown, make sure you have a friend (or two) who has your back. And remember, once a Waterloo Engineer, always a Waterloo Engineer — this community has your back too.
Go to Transitioning from student to alum for the full story.