Degree: Systems Design Engineering, BASc 2018
LinkedIn: Adele Chui
What are you doing now and how does your engineering education from Waterloo help with your life today?
Working in product at a startup in Toronto now - Engineering at uWaterloo gave me the skills, co-op experience, and connections to be able to work in an industry that's both challenging (intellectually stimulating, lots to learn) and pays well enough to support my lifestyle.
Why did you decide to be a part of REAC?
I really benefited from being in Engineering at the University of Waterloo - it allowed me to grow into the extroverted person I am today. As someone who moved to an entirely new city after graduation knowing just their best friend's mom and no one else, I had to find and grow a community entirely from scratch. I did it but it was really hard at parts and while I'm grateful for that experience, I decided to join and lead REAC to give back and help provide a recent engineering alum community so that others wouldn't be in the exact same situation I was.
What is a favourite piece of advice or quote that you would be interested in sharing?
Just do it! Most people when they die regret not spending more time with their loved ones or going on adventures or saying yes to that wild and crazy idea. We truly only live once and I'm looking to die with as few regrets as possible. Say yes and go for it!
What was your favourite place to eat at in Waterloo?
I really enjoyed this one sushi buffet place for their coconut ice cream.
What's a skill, routine or habit that you picked up at Waterloo that you didn’t expect to use in your career?
A skill I picked up through my time at Waterloo was being able to present on something on the fly - whether it's running demos or supporting a coworker by presenting an impromptu pitch, I now rely a lot on the public speaking skills I developed. It's a soft skill but it's VERY useful in a lot more of my day to day than expected.
What are your plans for the near future?
1. Make this year a positive one for REAC
2. Get my learner's license for driving (I am a city person with no real need for a car)
3. Develop a better relationship with working out
Do you have any specific professional or career goals that you are working towards?
I am striving to become a product manager and help the start-up I work at rapidly hit its goals.
Finally, do you have any fun and/or interesting media recommendations? Could be a book, song, movie, documentary, videogame, etc.
My wild take is that the best movie of 2024 was THE SUBSTANCE.