Congratulations to our outstanding undergraduates

What inspired you to pursue your degree?  

The vastness of our world and the endless opportunities for exploration inspired me to pursue my degree. Gaining new perspectives provides invaluable knowledge, and learning geography at the university offered me a unique path to understand the intricate aspects of our natural landscapes and dynamic human connections. My older brother Ali, an avid traveler, showed me the importance of exploration and sparked my curiosity. My brother Hadi’s holistic and scientific research in Australia further inspired me, especially since he was once a student in planning. Following in their footsteps and reaching beyond has always been a dream I am achieving by embracing the path of exploration and academic inquiry they’ve paved for me.  

What is next for you? 

I am thrilled to share that I have received the SSHRC Canada Graduate Award and will be continuing my studies at the University of Waterloo with the goal of completing a doctoral degree soon. I will be working alongside inspiring researchers on the “Retreating form Risk” project and in the deTOUR Lab, focusing on natural disasters, resource management, coastal inundation, and glaciers. Additionally, I am excited to continue my work with Geotab Inc. on their corporate sustainability initiatives. I will also be consulting with various international organizations on advancing conservation and climate-related programs and projects.  

What inspired you to pursue your degree? 

I’ve been an environmentalist for as long as I remember! When I was in elementary school, I even wrote letters to MP Elizabeth May. Pursuing environmental studies was a no-brainer for me, and I fell in love with the Faculty of Environment when I visited Waterloo back in 2019. I chose ENBUS because of its unique combination of disciplines and its co-op stream. Being an Environment student allowed me to align my personal, professional, and academic interests in sustainability, climate justice and advocacy.  

What’s next for you? 

I’m thrilled to be joining re-generation as their Campus Organizing Lead! Re-generation is a youth-led Canadian non-profit that empowers students to advocate for a more equitable and sustainable economy.  

Apart from work, I’m excited to continue to do grassroots climate justice-related work and brushing up on my French! 

What inspired you to pursue your degree? 

I was inspired to pursue my degree as my program allowed for freedom of choice when it came to what courses I took, the co-op employers I worked for, and what extracurriculars I participated in. I had the privilege to work with various faculty members and students across campus which greatly informed my learning experience that I will take with me post-graduation and into my future career.  

What’s next for you? 

My undergraduate thesis topic was how relationship building in environmental education influences student learning experiences. This research study was an amazing experience and I want to contribute to more research regarding this topic. I aspire to work with post-secondary institutions to help create engaging and inspiring teaching experiences for students across all disciplines. I also look forward to achieving a master’s degree in the future. 

What inspired you to pursue your degree? 

In high school, I went to a Girls Can Fly event at the Brampton Flight Centre and went up on an introductory flight. I fell in love with flying and I immediately knew that it was what I wanted to do. The UWaterloo aviation program seemed like a perfect combination of academics and flight training. The aviation community here in Waterloo is incredibly friendly and supportive. The environment department also has amazing opportunities, like the 3-week field course in Indonesia that I was lucky enough to participate in. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at UWaterloo over the past four years and although it’s bittersweet to be graduating, I’m excited to see what the future holds for me. 

What’s next for you? 

Shortly after finishing my classes, I will begin a week-long road trip up to the Yukon, where I’ve started flying scenic tours of Mount Logan and the glaciers of Kluane National Park. I’ve already learned so much and I look forward to continuing to develop my mountain flying, gravel strip, and float flying skills this summer. I would love to continue to fly floats for a little while and see where the future takes me! 

What inspired you to pursue your degree? 

When looking at university programs, I was split between pursuing a geography, statistics or urban planning degree. However, upon finding the geomatics program at the University of Waterloo, I realized it was a perfect combination of all three of my passions! In this program, I would be able to analyze data and perform statistical techniques, but through the lens of geography. In addition, one of the main applications of GIS is in urban planning. During my various co-ops, I had the opportunity to use my GIS background to help model transit accessibility, study demographic trends, and map water main networks. The experience I gained during my undergrad has been invaluable and the memories I've made in the past five years will remain with me forever! 

What is next for you? 

This September, I'll be starting a master's degree in data science at ETH Zürich in Switzerland. I previously worked as a research intern during one of my co-ops in Lausanne, Switzerland and loved living there. I am very excited to return to Switzerland as well as the opportunity to expand my toolset for analyzing geospatial information with a data science degree. After my master's, I would love to work in the realm of geospatial data science. I hope to utilize data and analytics to help solve global problems and make the world a better place to live. 

What inspired you to pursue your degree? 

I originally picked this program because I love reading and writing, but I also wanted defined career prospects. I had a close friend who was completing her first year at Waterloo at the time I was choosing a program. She showed me an essay she was working on for PLAN 100 regarding social issues in Vancouver. I thought it was interesting to research and write about pressing, real-life issues, so I decided to apply! The interdisciplinary nature of the planning program and interesting course materials fueled my passion to continue down the planning route. Throughout my learning, I began to realize how much of my life growing up was shaped by planning issues.  

What is next for you? 

Right now, I’m excited to start my career! I’m currently working at a planning consulting firm that focuses on municipal policy planning. I’m interested in continuing research about housing policy, as well as learning as much as I can in my career. I hope to help advance access to housing for communities. Also, I am very excited to travel as much as possible! 

What inspired you to pursue your degree? 

I always wanted to pursue something that would allow me to see the world and help others. When I was 18, I went to Greece during the summer to volunteer with Global Vision International and ARCHELON (the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece) on a conservation project. This opportunity opened my eyes to some of the jobs that are available in the world. The experience allowed me to see that I could pursue a degree that fit my passions. When I started researching programs at Canadian universities, I was drawn to the ENBUS program, but then I stumbled upon INDEV on SEED’s website. I discovered that International Development was exactly what I was looking for even without knowing it, especially considering the emphasis on sustainability! 

What is next for you? 

After spending the last eight months on placement in Uganda with World University Service of Canada (WUSC) for the final year of my degree, I’m planning to spend some time traveling in Europe and East Asia before starting my search for a job. Ideally, when I return, I will find an environmentally focused role in the development field. 

What inspired you to pursue your degree? 
I have always felt a deep connection with the earth that was certainly fostered by my constant ability to be in beautiful nature. My parents raised me in a small town that has a lot of green space, so issues of environmental sustainability and ecosystem maintenance have always been front of mind, even if I didn't have the words to describe them at the time. 

What is next for you? 

After graduation I plan to relocate to Ottawa, a city I lived in for multiple co-ops and immediately fell in love with. I plan to pursue work in the sustainable operations of buildings while furthering my venture that focuses on making music venues more environmentally sustainable. While working I'll continue freelance journalism, blogging for the music industry, and performing original music when I get the chance.