Maria Shamim - Master of Environment and Business (MEB)
Maria Shamim is the recipient of the 2023 James D. Leslie Graduate Award. Maria completed the Master of Environment and Business (MEB) in Spring of 2022 with exceptional grades and a rewarding career as a research analyst. Her responsibilities include developing environmental, social, and governance (ESG), climate, and biodiversity education programs for corporate board of directors and business leaders from around the world.
While Maria has always had a passion for sustainability and the environment, early on she found herself working as a journalist which was thrilling, but wasn't her dream. So when she immigrated to Canada a few years ago she thought it was an excellent time to switch careers and pursue her true calling.
Maria shared that the "MEB degree has been a life-changing decision for me, both personally and professionally...[it] gave me a sense of belonging, which was invaluable to me as a newcomer to Canada." It was especially meaningful as she is the first and only woman in her family to succeed in higher education. Earning her degree allowed her to escape the bleak future many women in Pakistan face, but she recognizes that it involved many sacrifices along the way by herself and her family members.
She chose the University of Waterloo’s online MEB program as it seemed a perfect fit for her interests and her background in business and journalism, and she recognized that Waterloo “is famous worldwide for its academic rigour and well-reputed among employers.” She explained that it was “probably the only realistic solution for me – as a newcomer to Canada trying to build a life from scratch in a new country. It helped me to avoid long commute times and study at my own pace in my own personal space.”
Maria credits her self-discipline for helping her keep balance in her life during her studies. To keep organized and minimize distractions she designated regular study time and space, and set aside time on the weekends to relax with family and friends so she could be refreshed for the week ahead. Sticking to her schedule helped her stay on top of assignments/reports and other deliverables.
A strong support system also helped contribute to Maria’s success. She feels “blessed to have a great support system of family and friends who always cheer me on and encourage me to achieve my goals. Whenever I felt overwhelmed by the demands of my academic program, my spouse helped me to refocus and put things back in perspective.”
When asked about the disadvantages of online learning, Maria notes that the personal touches that take place in a physical classroom are missing, but that “technological advancements in communication tools have already ushered in a new era of virtual work and study” and she doesn’t “think a strictly traditional in-class model, without any element of virtual education, will be relevant anymore in the future.“
Maria would like to thank Dan Murray, Amelia Clarke, Olaf Weber, and Cameron McCordic, who piqued interest in their respective areas of expertise through their dedicated teaching. Their lessons were very thought-provoking and she often found herself challenging pre-existing perspectives and beliefs.“
Online and hybrid learning allow for greater access to education and balance in the lives of learners and Maria hopes that policies can be targeted to reduce the hardships for marginalised groups and international students who can face significant barriers and high costs when pursuing higher education.
Maria believes “an online degree is an excellent option for busy professionals who want to progress in their careers or switch careers.” She advises prospective students to “give your best in every situation. Hard work and perseverance will always pay off, even if you may not think so at times.”
In her application Maria wrote "I value my academic accolades deeply and I will work hard every day to give back, in whatever little way I can, to make this world a better place for humans and non-humans alike."
Maria Shamim during Convocation