January 27, 2023
Meet Padena!
Hi everybody, I’m Padena!
I’m a software engineering student, and I'm currently in my 2B term! On campus, I'm involved as an Engineering Ambassador, Orientation Leader, and Undergraduate Research Assistant.
Why did you choose Waterloo Engineering?
I chose Waterloo Engineering because I wanted to use my university experience to pursue a wide range of areas, such as entrepreneurship, research, and experiential learning. I felt like UWaterloo had a good mix of all of those!
The strong sense of community and amazing co-op program also stood out to me when making my decision.
What has been your favourite thing about your program so far?
The cohort system would have to be the best thing about Software Engineering. It is great to have the chance to connect with so many bright people in my program. It is also very helpful that in the cohort system, we have all our classes together because we can always help each other out.
Your favourite co-op experience?
My most recent co-op experience was really fun!
I worked at TD Bank as a Software Developer Intern, and I was able to quickly familiarize myself with new frameworks, improve my development skills and contribute to multiple projects. I also had the chance to participate in a lot of fun events with my co-workers including watching my first baseball game in one of TD's suites!
Advice for first year/incoming students?
My advice would be to avoid comparing yourself to other students. Personally, I was always comparing my grades to my classmates, and it was a very unhealthy habit. Now, I realize that every person has their own strengths, and it is best to focus on self-growth rather than comparison.
