When Nolan Beanlands began his undergraduate studies, he was already focused on the concept of flexibility. He did not want to be limited to one engineering discipline, and he appreciated having the opportunity to pursue his many interests, including physics, chemistry, math and more.
The ‘nanotechnology’ buzzword was seductive to his seventeen-year-old self. He was excited to be involved in a technological paradigm shift, and he felt confident that his Nanotechnology Engineering degree would allow him to keep all of his options open as he learned more about what sort of career suited him best.
In his current role as executive director of an angel network, Nolan remains on the cusp of future paradigms, drawing on his multi-disciplinary expertise to help others – entrepreneurs and investors alike – weigh the many options available to them as they set forth to change the future.
Personal Growth
Thinking back to the undergrad studies that helped him develop his unique skillset, Nolan remembers a time of challenge and personal growth. It was a busy time – in addition to his courses and co-op terms, he was on Waterloo’s Nordic Ski Team. The combination of a busy schedule and tough courses created a challenge he had not faced before.
Nolan explains: “I was a strong student in high school. I had good marks, and I wasn’t accustomed to struggling with grades. So, when I had trouble with a mid-term exam in university, it was a humbling experience. I had to take a step backwards to some basic principles in order to learn the material and get a passing grade. This was my first experience with poor marks, and it was difficult… but I learned to keep going. I didn’t give up and, in the end, I was successful. I graduated with distinction, and learned a lot about myself in the process.”
Nolan Beanlands, competing for the UWaterloo Nordic Ski Team, in 2010
Co-op Advantage
The co-op program also provided Nolan with the opportunity to learn more about himself by trying new things and using his education in the real world. For many people, co-op work terms help them realize what sort of work they want to do after graduation. For Nolan, they helped him realize what work he didn’t want to do after graduation. And that was a very valuable eye opener.
“I am not a research guy. I don’t like to spend a lot of time in the lab. I don’t even like to sit down all day. And, as much as I was interested in the science and engineering behind nanotechnology, my co-op terms taught me very clearly that I need to work around people – I crave the ideas, the discussions and the engagement with the community,” says Nolan.
Fortunately for him, the NE program provided the latitude to take elective courses outside of nanotechnology, and the University had a wide range of excellent courses that suited him well. He started learning about business – specifically intellectual property and innovation management – with the idea that he would leverage his multi-disciplinary engineering skills with a strong business component to pursue his ideal career.
Career Success
After a short time working as a sales engineer for a distributor of optical instruments, Nolan found his stride helping young entrepreneurs launch their innovative business ideas as Program Manager for the Startup Garage program at the University of Ottawa.
That role led to his current position with Ottawa’s Capital Angel Network, where he helps match entrepreneurs who have exciting, innovative business ideas with local investors who provide them with financial backing to bring their business to fruition.
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Nolan’s Co-op Work Term Employment History
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Last year, Capital Angel Network collectively invested $4.1 million across 28 companies.
The same passion for excellence, variety and optimism for the future that inspired Nolan to embark on a Nanotechnology Engineering degree after high school fuels his career. Nolan is happy to spend time with people who are equally future-focused, creating solutions to current problems and working hard to make them a reality.
Nolan Beanlands, Executive Director at Capital Angel Network, Ottawa, Ontario
With the wide variety of skills and diverse knowledge base he gained through his undergrad Nanotechnology Engineering degree, Nolan can assess business ideas, 'speak the language' of the entrepreneurs behind them and convey the information to investors who may not have the same degree of technical knowledge.
Besides being pleased with the opportunities for challenge and interaction provided by his career, Nolan is appreciative of the good work/life balance that he has achieved since graduation: "I am extremely proud of being able to get to where I am, with my wife and two daughters, and enjoy our wonderful, happy family."
Lessons Learned
Nolan’s experience in Waterloo’s NE program inspires this advice for high school students considering their next steps:
- Before enrolling in a university program, have an idea where you want it to take you and then find out if it will meet your needs. Engage with alumni. Talk with as many graduates from the program as you can. Consider if the program is likely to meet your own goals.
- Engage with your professors. They are generally far more interesting than the subjects they teach. Their research and job experience can be fascinating, and learning more about their experiences can help you make better decisions for your future.
- Take time to develop relationships with your classmates. They are interesting and inspiring, and your friendships can last a lifetime.