Degree: Systems Design Engineering, BASc 2022
LinkedIn: Katrina Hermanns
What are you doing now and how does your engineering education from Waterloo help with your life today?
I currently work in a hybrid role as a lead Solutions Architect and Technical Lead at a boutique consulting firm, focusing on designing real time finance systems. Outside of work I spend most of my time volunteering, reading and learning new things! My day-to-day typically involves juggling responsibilities for my internal team and external clients while problem solving on the fly. Engineering at Waterloo taught me to be rigorous and confident when solving complex problems, and that every problem can have a solution if you are creative and determined enough. This has helped me figure out how to find a balance between being a detailed problem solver and balancing an array of responsibilities in my personal life and career.
Why did you decide to be a part of REAC?
As a recent alumnus I was missing the strong sense of community that I felt when I was at Waterloo, as well as being surrounded by individuals who constantly look to grow and evolve. I wanted to help build the same sense of community and support in our alumni network and found that opportunity in REAC. Returning for a second year was an easy decision after experiencing how helpful and empowering it can be to be surrounded by a network of like-minded people.
What is a favourite piece of advice or quote that you would be interested in sharing?
I recently heard a quote by James Dyson, "There is no such thing as a quantum leap. There is only dogged persistence - and in the end, you make it look like a quantum leap". In today's fast paced and social media focused world it can be hard to remember that quantum leaps don't happen every day, and really the small incremental progress that happens daily is key.
What was your favourite place to eat at in Waterloo?
Gol's Lanzhou Noodle got me through many tough exam seasons.
What's a skill, routine or habit that you picked up at Waterloo that you didn’t expect to use in your career?
While studying at UW I learned how to ask for help and to formulate good questions. This skill has become invaluable as I have been leading a challenging project over the past year. Knowing when to ask for help and how to make the conversation constructive has helped me grow, and the project succeed.
What are your plans for the near future?
II plan to travel quite a bit in 2025, which I am very excited for!
Do you have any specific professional or career goals that you are working towards?
I'm currently working on two technical certifications, which are helping me deep dive into the finance industry. The goal is to complete both by Q2 2025.
Do you have any fun and/or interesting media recommendations?
I'm currently reading 'Anaximander and The Birth of Science' by Carlo Rovelli, which I would recommend to anyone interested in history and science - it is a really approachable book. I also always recommend the All In podcast to anyone looking for tech news and deep dives.