Meet our undergrad students

Why did you decide to study at the University of Waterloo?

I don't think any other engineering program, at least within Canada, offers such an extensive co-op program. I felt the University of Waterloo offers its students a distinct advantage over other universities as students graduate with two years of work experience in their chosen fields.

In my final year when I was seeking employment, I found I was very marketable to prospective employers because they knew that I had two years of work experience and that I graduated with a BASc from a world-renowned university.

What did you enjoy most about the Nanotechnology Engineering Undergraduate Program?

Reflecting on my five years in the program, I would say it’s the sense of community that comes through the UWaterloo Engineering cohort system that I enjoyed most about the program. Being with the same people in my cohort for five years helped me build lasting relationships. We all became very close friends, and we supported each other throughout our undergraduate degree. It made for a very positive experience.

I also felt so fortunate to have professors who truly care about their students. They were so supportive with everything including always being available for office hours. Some of the professors who taught us in first year also taught us again in our final year. So, it was a full-circle experience.

Tell us about the highlights of your co-op experiences and how they lead to your position at Tesla.

The mindset I go into when searching for a co-op job is not looking for a position that pays well, that’s a bonus.  I'm really looking for a position that I feel is a great learning opportunity because I know that will set me up for the next co-op position.

In one of my co-op jobs, I worked in the field of software. I was interested in data science and how can we apply data science to NE.  I worked in the biotech company Cyclic CA in Toronto; we were trying to use AI to find new drugs that we could bring from the lab to the pharmacy. That was an exciting co-op job that gave me the skills to be able to process data, analyze data, and develop critical thinking. That job led me to my co-op job at Tesla.

At Tesla my co-op job was also doing data analysis and data engineering, but on a different problem space. At Tesla I was working on battery cells and how we can define new cell requirements that we are going to put into the vehicles and other products.

I acquired many new skills and learned more about electrochemistry. I think that the combination of my experience in processing data and the Python programming I learned in the NE Program were important factors leading to my full-time job offer from Tesla before I even graduated.

I will be working as a cell reliability engineer, conducting failure analysis and degradation analysis on field returns. Ensuring that our product meets lifetime requirements so that after 10 years we don't see Tesla vehicles coming back.

What advice do you have for new undergraduate students?

I experienced a few ups and downs during my undergraduate degree. I had a difficult initial transition when I started university. I was homesick and it was hard at first to adjust to the workload. Even though the first year may be daunting and hard, stick with it because you end up learning so much and having so many transferable skills.

In my first year, I failed the programming course, and I thought programming was something that I never wanted to touch again.  However, the following term, I took it again to make sure I understood it. I thought it may take longer for me to understand it compared to my peers, but I'll make sure I get it.

The design teams at the University of Waterloo offer amazing learning opportunities! Older students in their third and fourth years lead the teams. That makes it a great learning environment! I learned so much about programming from my experiences on design teams. I became more confident and that led to my first co-op which was in software development.

My advice would be to keep pushing through and staying determined because when I was in my first year, I wouldn't have expected that five years later, I would get to where I am today with a job working at Tesla after graduation.  I'm really happy with how everything turned out!

Why did you decide to study at the University of Waterloo?

Friends, family, and strangers all spoke well of the engineering program here when I was in high school, either because they knew a few people who went here or they themselves heard from word of mouth. A big selling factor, both from the university's own promotion and from my peers, was the strength of the co-op program. After coming here myself, I can say that Waterloo lives up to its reputation, and co-op was perhaps the best part of the university experience. Lots of schools have co-op programs, but after experiencing more of the university landscape around the world, I've found that there is apparently something special about Waterloo. The students here are different, and I would say there's an inordinate number of them who are going to have wildly successful careers.

What did you enjoy most about the Nanotechnology Engineering Undergraduate Program?

You learn a lot of things, you learn them very quickly, and before you graduate, you begin to examine the most pressing problems across numerous fields of science and engineering. Compared to other engineering programs, however, there's a delay in terms of when you start applying your knowledge in the classroom, but by later years, most of the coursework deals with matters at the very edge of technological progress. Course projects in fourth year, for example, are heavily founded on academic research that was published only in the last five to ten years.

What was the best surprise about the University of Waterloo?

There are so many people here in one place with drives for greatness. I knew I would meet great people, but what I didn't know I'd find was such a large group of individuals who aren't afraid of failing. At some point, pretty much everyone fails at one thing or another while they're here - an exam, a co-op placement, a major competition, whatever it may be - but there's no better place to pick yourself up and keep going after a setback than where there's a network of people to do it with you.

What advice do you have for new undergraduate students?

Approach school with a love of learning more than anything. It's not that grades aren't important, of course, but they're lower in priority than other things: namely your practical experience, which in turn comes second to your mental health. Although I learned things in class, the most important things I learned, technical or otherwise, were outside of the classroom, and for me, that pursuit of knowledge was what led to a rich university experience.

Why did you decide to study at the University of Waterloo?

Like many people, I chose to study at the University of Waterloo because of the co-op program. Co-op is a great way to not only acquire work experience (and pay off student loans!) but also to practice being independent. For example, I have learned how to find housing in different cities, apply for visas, etc., which are practical “adult” skills that I didn’t have when I first started university. On the more fun side of things, I have also gotten to travel and make many new friends throughout my co-op terms.

What did you enjoy most about the Nanotechnology Engineering Undergraduate Program?

I liked that we were exposed to many different subjects, including chemistry, medicine, materials science, and electronics. The highly interdisciplinary nature of nanotechnology engineering made it easy for me to explore and transition between different fields throughout my co-op terms, and ultimately helped me to decide my future career path.

What was the best surprise about the University of Waterloo?

One of my favourite things about Waterloo Engineering is the unique cohort system, and the best surprise was the sense of camaraderie among my classmates. Even though we all have our respective friend groups, everyone is generally very friendly and collaborative with each other.

What advice do you have for new undergraduate students?

Keep an open mind about what you want to do in the future, and take time to explore different fields of work. For myself and many of my friends, our current career paths are different from what we envisioned when we were in high school or just starting university. As an example, I started out my undergraduate degree wanting to study biochemistry and nanomedicine. However, over the years I changed my mind and instead developed an interest in laser physics and photonics!

What did you enjoy most about your Capstone Design Project?

My favourite part of my Capstone Design Project was developing something that could help millions of people worldwide. Specifically, my team chose to address the issue of cholera, an often fatal disease contracted from bacteria-contaminated water. Together, my friends and I developed a low-cost test strip that determines whether a water sample is contaminated with these bacteria. This technology can hopefully help to prevent future cholera epidemics and save lives, which is very inspiring and exciting.

Why did you decide to study at the University of Waterloo?

 The primary reason I decided to come to the University of Waterloo was really the name it had for itself, especially the co-op program. The co-op program provides so many unique opportunities with the way the system is designed compared to longer co-op programs at other universities. It really helps with Nanotechnology Engineering, giving more opportunities to explore different disciplines and areas of interest. Another big reason would be that I personally wanted to be at a University in a smaller city, where the University community is a lot closer and an overall quieter environment.

What did you enjoy most about the Nanotechnology Engineering Undergraduate Program?

 I think the most enjoyable parts of the Nanotechnology Engineering Program were the people I got to meet, make friends with and work with. They are truly some of the most talented and inspiring people that I have met and I wish the best for them moving forward. From a content perspective the in-person labs that we got to do, especially the clean room, have to be the most amazing experience I’ve had in learning something new and really made it feel like I was working on something high-tech.

What was the best surprise about the University of Waterloo?

 The biggest surprise for me with the University of Waterloo was its community, and how helpful and friendly everyone is. There are so many events occurring on campus that help you socialize and interact and so many great-minded individuals to discuss any topic you could possibly think of. The greatest part for me was definitely participating in an acapella group and finding others that loved to sing so much and seeing their talent.

What advice do you have for new undergraduate students?

 My advice for new undergraduate students would come to a few main things. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, no matter how stupid you think it is. And don’t be afraid to meet and chat with people, you never know what connections you will make that might vastly help you in the future. There are also a lot of pressures and stresses that come with grades and mental health. Just remember that you are never alone and that there is always someone who genuinely cares about you. Grades do not define your career, but it's the effort you put in and your work ethic that is truly seen.

What did you enjoy most about your Capstone Design Project?

 My Capstone Design Project is transitioning into the start-up company Moonlight Haptics and so I won’t lie, the most enjoyable part of the project was probably winning awards and getting money. But the overall design process was incredibly satisfying to see something that we spent months on come to fruition and validate that the hard work we put in was worth it, that was definitely the most enjoyable aspect. It’s such a great opportunity to pour all of your efforts into one single project that you are passionate about and the number of skills that you learn through this process is completely unique, as it really is about rounding out what you need to improve on, in order to create the project that you are invested in seeing succeed.

Why did you decide to study at the University of Waterloo?

I decided to study at the University of Waterloo because it is one of the best, if not, the best engineering school in Canada. I knew that if I attended the University of Waterloo, I would have a great foundation and understanding of nanotechnology engineering that can propel me into my future endeavours, whether it be graduate studies or joining the workforce, with confidence in my abilities. Even though I have only completed my first year, I can already attest to the depth of knowledge and varying skills that I have developed. Additionally, I was interested in the University’s co-op program that is offered and how diverse and extensive it is. I liked how students are given the opportunity to be able to gain work experience while also consolidating and increasing their knowledge about their field, and can get a taste for their likes and dislikes moving forward in the program and workforce.  

What did you enjoy most about the Nanotechnology Engineering Undergraduate Program?

So far, what I enjoy most about the Nanotechnology Engineering Undergrad Program is how diverse it is, and how there is a pathway that suits everyone. It really allows you to explore different fields of engineering and helps you understand the role of every type of engineer and the importance of each field. Also, it is a very unique environment to be surrounded by so many different people and professors as it allows you to view and approach problems from very different perspectives. Since everyone in the program has a different set of interests, everyone brings different skills. So, when collaborating on a project, everyone contributes their own unique strengths, which is something that I think you do not get to experience that often in other engineering programs. After only one year, this program has challenged me and my peers to be curious, creative, and to be unafraid to take risks.

What was the best surprise about the University of Waterloo?

The best surprise about the University of Waterloo was the friendly and supportive environment. Coming to university, I did not think that there would be such a level of comradery between my classmates and other students. I did not realize how much teamwork and collaboration there was in engineering until I was in it. It is a pleasant surprise knowing that you have an army of engineers and aspiring engineers behind your back, helping you, learning, succeeding, and failing with you. In areas where you may struggle, there will always be others to help you through it, and vice versa.

What advice do you have for new undergraduate students?

My advice for new undergraduate students would be to get involved with clubs, sports, intramurals ...etc.  It is a great way to meet new people from all across campus, find new interests, and it is a great break from studying and student life. Personally, I joined the fastpitch team in my 1A term.  It was a great experience and I got to meet so many different and interesting people. I would also encourage new students to not be afraid to approach professors or TAs for guidance during their study terms, as they are all very helpful and supportive.

Why did you decide to study at the University of Waterloo?

Co-op was a major deciding factor for me. Getting two years of work experience gives you a great head start in your field, and helps with financing your education too! Waterloo’s Nanotechnology Engineering program is also the first of its kind, so I knew I couldn’t get this experience anywhere else!

What did you enjoymost about the Nanotechnology Engineering Program?

I enjoyed how the structure of the program gave me a wide view of the field of nanotechnology in the first two years, then let me dive deeper into the fields I was most interested in during upper years. This allowed me to figure out what was the best fit for me. My current interests (biochemistry/materials science for drug delivery) are much different than what I thought I would be most interested in (electronics), so I’m incredibly glad that the nano program gave me the time to figure out what excites me the most! 

What was the best surprise about the University of Waterloo?

The best surprise was how supportive everyone has been! From profs to TAs to fellow students, most people want to see you succeed! I was worried that I would be left in the dust coming into a program like Waterloo engineering that has a reputation of being very challenging, but I was very pleasantly surprised by the supportive environment I found. If you’re willing to put in the work, then the people around you will help you get where you want to go!

What advice do you have for new undergraduatestudents?

One piece of advice would be to say yes more often than no to opportunities that present themselves to you, and be proactive in pursuing paths that you are interested in. University is the time to try many different things to find what motivates you the most and what you can see yourself doing for the rest of your life. Also, don’t forget to take care of yourself! Waterloo engineering can get stressful, so be sure to make time for things outside of school that are fun/relaxing to keep everything in balance!