Magazine of the Waterloo Science and Business Program

2012 Students’ Edition

uwaterloo.ca/science-and-business

ScibuS.ca

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4 Now What? - Words From an Alumni By: Natalie Koay

5 Get Inspired, Get Involved! By: Julia Chen

6 From SCBUS 123 to MIT By: Diljot Chhina

7 Exchange to the National University of Singapore By: Kyra Li

8 Trending in Science and Business 9 Briefcases, Bots and Biology By: Mandee Kaur

10 Stretching Your Comfort Zone By: Julia Chelaru

11 The Alumni Zone

12 My Journey. My Experiences. My Memories. By: Sharon Ng

13 Why Do You Study Science and Business? By: Tatjana Milojevic

14 The TedxUW Experience By: Prashanth Gopalan

15 My Co-op Journey By: Vivian Chow

16 An Interview With the Co-Lead Ambassadors By: Ketyurah D’Silva and Alice Wei

17 Why Science and Business Was My First Choice By: Maisam Hasan

18 Fusion 2013: Ignite Your Passion By: Mark Kryshtalskyj

19 Highlights From the 2012 Fusion Conference

Inside...

If you have the skIlls, the InclInatIon and drIve, the world of

scIence and busIness Is open to you.

32012 Students’ Edition

Dear Readers,

It is a pleasure to welcome you to the second edition of our magazine, the 2012 Student Edition of Scibus.ca.

Every year our three programs have gained strength mainly due to the achievements of our amazing student community. As we enter the 7th year of our success we have a number of things to be proud of, both at the international and national level. To name a few our agreement with the China University of Geosciences in Beijing for the China 2+2 program and our student Jessica Lawson getting the Ontario University Athletics’ Women of Influence Award. These and many others await you as you open the pages of this amazing publication which showcases the accomplishments and wonderful stories of Science and Business, Biotechnology and Economics, and Biotechnology and Chartered Accountancy. These stories will take you from Singapore to IGEM and Harvard and to the experiences of the UW Mars Rover Team and then to a room overlooking the Alps in Switzerland. But not before you have seen the experiences of TEDxUW and that SciBiz Cares for your community. All this and the million dollar question answered just for you: why Science and Business was my first choice and why it ignites my passion. So read on and come back to tell us what you think of our three programs and our students! I am grateful to our student community for their excellent contributions to the magazine. I am also thankful to the entire editorial team for their hard work in writing and producing this publication. I am particularly thankful to the Project Lead, Sultanali Ladhani for leading this effort.

Happy Reading!Kashif Memon

Kashif MemonA Message from the Program Advisor and Coordinator

Contact Kashif at:519-888-4567 ext 35114kmemon@uwaterloo.ca

Office located at ESC 254E

Sultanali LadhaniProject Manager

Science and Business is all about our students. The vision of the program is to prepare students for the professional world upon graduation by providing them with the necessary skillsets, academics and work experience. This task is made much easier when you have a continuous flow of ambitious and dedicated students coming into the program. The success of our program is driven by our students.

This edition of the magazine showcases what our program is all about from the students’ perspective, whether it is about academics, co-op or getting involved. This issue also highlights some of the amazing initiatives our students are involved with, demonstrating how well-rounded our students are and the immense presence we have on the Waterloo campus.

To our current and incoming students, your university career is a time to explore, have fun, work hard and develop your capabilties in terms of academics and your professional skillset. Take advantage of your university career as this opportunity only comes once. Get involved, manage your time effectively and never miss out on an opportunity to meet new people. Your fellow students and faculty in the program are always here for support so never feel like you are on your own in the SciBus community.

Here’s to a great journey through university!

Sincerely,Sultanali

Contact Sultanali at:519-888-4567 ext 36684sladhani@uwaterloo.ca

Office located at ESC 254E

scibus.ca

If you are reading this, then you are probably about to embark on a journey that many have done before you: post-secondary education. You may feel thrilled, nervous, excited, anxious....scared? I’m betting that the phrase, “Now what?”, captures any combination of those feelings. As a new alumni, I am feeling the same way. The realization that I am now an alumni is still overwhelming. The realization that five years have gone by since clicking “Accept” is still overwhelming. The feeling of being done is great but it is magnified upon reflection of the impact that the Science and Business program (and the people in it) has had on myself, personally, academically, and professionally.

We are fortunate to live in a culture of choice and in high school, I remember the excitement and anticipation of choosing the right post-secondary program. I chose to diversify my education as much as possible by choosing Science and Business. The co-op option was especially attractive because it offered the opportunity to travel, which I subsequently took full advantage of.

Whenever peers ask me about my program, I always start with how proud I am to be a part of it. There is a certain comradery within this program that makes you feel like you are part of a huge supportive network on campus and beyond. The Science and Business workshops are responsible for that. Being required to work in teams really pushes you beyond your personal boundaries towards personal development. The creative and critical thinking done in teamwork may take hours but is essential for building trust in each other and achieving success together.

The core course requirements at UW really put you through your paces to ensure you have the necessary knowledge to succeed. My teamwork experiences helped me communicate my academic skills in the workplace. Being able to volunteer and stand up for your idea and then constructively dissect it until it improves is definitely a trait that employers look for. By graduation, you feel a special connection with each person you worked with, even if it was a brief period of time. It is highly likely you will find at least one person you trust enough to enter a business partnership with.

The world was my oyster when choosing co-op positions because my classes strengthened both my analytical science-thinking and my logical business-thinking skills, both attractive employer assets.Gathering as much information as possible through networking sessions and researching helped me shape my career ideals and realize further professional development. Moving from industry to academia and back, my co-op positions have taken me to Montreal and Boston. My peers have travelled as far as Switzerland and South Africa. Taking in my own experiences and networking with my peers to hear their experiences has given me an expanded view of the world and optimism in the potential we have to change it.

Now as an alumni, I am spiraling through that same stew of emotions I did before my freshman year. Currently, I have secured two contract positions for the following 18 months: at the Department of Chemistry at UW and another in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Harvard University. At the end of those contracts, I am going to ask myself the big question, “Now what?” With my degree in hand, I feel confident knowing that the skills I gained will help me answer that question over and over again throughout my lifetime. •

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dIversIfy your portfolIo

Now What? - Words From an AlumniBSc Honours Co-op Science and Business - Biochemistry Specialization, University of Waterloo, 2012

CO-OP EXPERIENCE:Food Technologist, Maple Leaf FoodsProcess Chemist, Merck-FrosstMedicinal Chemist, Merck-FrosstMarking Materials Research Chemist, Xerox Research Centre of CanadaResearch Assistant, Wyss Institute at Harvard University

networkIng wIth my peers to hear theIr experIences has

gIven me an expanded vIew of the world and optImIsm In the

potentIal we have to change It.

52012 Students’ Edition

As you’re graduating high school, you must feel at least a little bit nostalgic in leaving the place you’ve learned to call home. You’ve worked so hard to learn every little secret about the place like secret shortcuts, or how to quickly get equipment booked, or the prime hallway with the highest traffic for ticket sales, and now it won’t be of any use anymore. I remember starting my first week at Waterloo and realizing that I’m going to make my fresh start as a tiny fish in a huge ocean. It kind of discouraged me from even participating in extra-curricular activities knowing that I’ll have to learn everything again. Getting involved was the best decision I’ve ever made and has shaped me to being the person I am today. I’m more motivated, productive, organized, have more friends, and I honestly believe that I wouldn’t be on the honour roll every semester if I didn’t have meetings and emails to get me out of bed every morning to kickstart my day. I remember meeting my residence life Don in my residence on the first day and she seemed to know every trick and fact about the entire campus. I was thinking that one day, maybe I’ll be confident and be knowledgeable enough to be a Don. Well, this fall, I’ll be starting my first term as a Residence Life Don in Village 1, and I’ve never been more excited. I got started in residence as a Peer Leader in our Living-Learning Communities, a really unique program that enhanced my first year experience. I firmly believe that there is nothing more important than giving back to the things that shaped who you are. I found that everything I had in high school could be found in Waterloo, most likely in a larger capacity. For example, in high

school, I saw the birth of our first DECA Ontario Chapter, growing from around 20 people to over 50. In my first two years at Waterloo, I was an excecutive on our DECA-U Chapter with annual membership of almost 300 students, and this year, I’m an executive on the DECA-U Board of Directors, overseeing almost 2000 students at Provincials with the largest undergrad student organization in Ontario. Through being involved, I was able to explore and find out what I knew I was good at, and what I needed to work on to become a well-balanced individual. I quickly realized that I had discovered my niche in coordinating logistics and operations. I was always drawn to the operations position in each new executive team, like serving as Chief Operations Officer on the Science and Business Student Association for the duration of last year. As someone who used to be incredibly shy when it came to contacting sponsors and outside organizations, it was a pretty big step for me to run (and win) in the election for VP External in the Accounting and Finance Student Association. It was a boundary I knew I needed to push past to be successful in the future and I can’t think of a more supportive place to do it than among my fellow team executives.

The bottom line? Extra-curricular activities get better. If you’ve always been involved, don’t stop, and if you’ve been shy to get involved before, there’s no better time to start. I strongly believe that only good things can come from giving back to the community. Over the years, I’ve had numerous opportunities to re-visit my high school and mentor students in a variety of extra-curricular activities that I was involved in. Get ready to try things you would never even consider giving a chance, and maybe you’ll find out that you’re naturally talented at it. Everything you had in high school, you’ll find a bigger, more experienced, more active version of it here. You’ll find people who will push you harder and teach you more than you ever expected. •

Natalie Koay Julia ChenGet Inspired, Get Involved!BSc Honours Science - Biotechnology and Chartered Accountancy, University of Waterloo, 2015

CO-OP EXPERIENCE:Staff Accountant, KPMG LLP - Audit Practice

“Through being involved, I was able to explore and find out what I knew I was good at, and what I needed to work on to become a well-balanced individual.”

gIve back to the thIngs that shaped who you are.

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Throughout my undergraduate career, I have faced a frequent question from individuals outside our discipline of study: what is the definition of Science and Business, and how does one pursue an opportunity where both fields are applicable? The answer lay within my experience with the Waterloo International Genetically Engineered Machines Competition (iGEM).

iGEM is an international synthetic biology competition that invites student teams to present their unique technologies and ideas. The essence of this competition is collaborative, as teams come together to share their work at the World Championship held at MIT.

Synthetic Biology is a field that combines the fields of science, engineering, mathematics and even business. Teams build ‘genetic machines’ that are a combination of biological parts that exist within nature to create an optimized function that doesn’t exist in nature. Some past projects by other universities include bacteria that can solve Sudoku puzzles, organisms that detect water pollutants and even biological structures that have the ability to potentially cure Celiac disease.

The iGEM teams are generally comprised of four subgroups: Lab/Design, Mathematical Modelling, Outreach and Human Practices. In my second year, I joined the Human Practices division of the Waterloo iGEM team. The Human Practices sub-group aims to focus on the ethical, sociological and economic issues that are prevalent within the field of synthetic biology.

In the past year, I have continued my participation as the lead of the Human Practices sub-group and currently, the lead of the Entrepreneurship Division. I have had the opportunity

to explore the economics of synthetic biology, build a commercialization roadmap, propose a knowledge transfer strategy and currently in the process of building a collaborative learning portal for synthetic biology entrepreneurs and related stakeholders. The most rewarding opportunity is being able to present your ideas in front of an international audience of judges from some of the most prestigious schools in the world and students. At the past two jamborees that I have attended, the judges were greatly impressed by our depth of knowledge, showed admiration for our undergraduate program and immediately perceived the value it adds.

Many of our dedicated team members are from the Science and Business Faculty. For the past two years, the outreach team, which focuses on educating various audiences about synthetic biology has been led by Ekta Bibra, also a 4A Biotechnology and Economics Student. Below is a reflection of her experience:

“Over the past three years of my involvement, the last two as Outreach Leader, iGEM allowed me to explore my communications and entrepreneurial side, with a scientific twist on the international landscape. Initiating and organizing high school workshops regarding current issues in Canadian biotechnology/synthetic biology, conference events, campus events such as Engineering Science Quest from grades 4,5 and 12 (with significant work done from some great co-leads Anjali Arya and Urooj Advani) and being a spokesperson for an Ontario wide iGEM initiative were all great successes! We also received national acknowledgement from Canada’s “Let’s Talk Science” program for our high school workshop. Along with that, we were able to wow people at the preliminary and final rounds of the iGEM competition with our innovative approaches, flow of educational resources and ability to attract such a large educational audience. Getting the opportunity to share ideas with some of the brightest undergraduates from around the world makes it all worthwhile.”

Being a member of iGEM has not only allowed me to explore a very intriguing and burgeoning field of science, but also the

Diljot ChhinaFrom SCBUS 123 to MIT- Exchanging our

Science and Business Knowledge With an International Community

BSc Honours Science - Biotechnology and Economics, University of Waterloo, 2013

CO-OP EXPERIENCE:Project Coordinator, Handheld Management Team at RIMProject Delivery Analyst, Project Delivery Team at Loblaw Senior Coordinator, Project Management and Metrics Team at LoblawProject Management Consultant, Ministry of Health

Igem: where the worlds of scIence and busIness collIde.

72012 Students’ Edition

Before my exchange to the National University of Singapore (NUS) in Singapore, I considered myself to have realistic expectations about the world. When I moved from a small town in Nova Scotia to Toronto in high school, I felt like the world was exposing itself to me and all I had to do was discover it all; Toronto is one of the largest, most diverse cities in the world after all. Looking back, I recognize my perceptions were extremely naive. I had a very comfortable bubble where I went to school, worked, went out with friends, but I felt that bubble burst the minute I stepped into the sticky Singaporean breeze.

Being so far out of my comfort zone, and realizing I only know a quarter of what I thought, presented itself with an opportunity. This was my chance to start fresh with a blank slate in a different city, and use my lack of knowledge to build a new personal foundation that I would never have been able to explore here at home. I used my surroundings and experiences to learn things such as my level of street smarts, my cultural awareness and how easily I adapt to new environments. These all led to the largest discovery – my true character.

There’s an inexplicable understanding and respect you gain from living in a place for longer than a couple of weeks. There is no way to really understand Singapore without taking the time to discover and absorb all of its characteristics first hand, like learning how to properly order laksa from the local hawker centre (yum!) or the tricks to fronting an enormous taxi queue on Wednesday evenings. I was extremely fortunate to have a host family while there (organized by NUS) who introduced me to

so many wonderful things the average tourist would never get exposure to.

While my exchange was for just one term, a very short period when you are abroad, I have narrowed down my infinite list of benefits to juts the two with the most valuable take away’s. These are the experience of learning in a new environment and the explosive expansion of one’s personal network.

NUS is based on the British education system so I quickly discovered how to learn again, with different approaches to studying and new working habits. I feel I have returned to the University of Waterloo a much better student having experienced the workload and competitiveness that many students thrive on in other countries.

The relationships you build while on exchange are truly priceless. Many of my best friends and I are connected by the life-changing events experienced abroad together. It is not every day you are outrunning monkeys in Bali or sleeping next to deadly spiders in Laos. I can easily travel to every continent on Earth and have someone to link up with which is awesome when traveling but also provides an international network of contacts. Being a co-op student who is always looking to build connections, this is definitely an invaluable benefit to studying abroad.

This exchange really helped me develop as an individual. We all grow from our experiences and having so much thrown at you in such a short amount of time forces you to evolve, stretching your insight and providing a new perspective of life. There was not a single day while abroad I did not learn something new, and for this I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to do an exchange. It’s an adventure that you will be forever grateful for. •

Diljot Chhina

Kyra LiExchange to the National University of Singapore: January 2011- April 2011

BSc Honours Co-op Science and Business - Biology Specialization, University of Waterloo, 2013

CO-OP EXPERIENCE:Imports & Marketing Assistant, Danier LeatherAdministrative Coordinator, Royal Bank of CanadaOperations Analyst, Royal Bank of Canada

ability to develop an important skillset and new-found passion. It is so rewarding to be acknowledged as a contributor of information and emphasizing the importance of tying our generation’s scientific breakthroughs with the business tools and applications needed to ensure the sustainability of these technologies. The experience has helped me to define my interests and identify my career- related aspirations. Most importantly, this experience gave me the answer to the one question I was always asked. So how

do I define Science and Business? Science and Business is not only an area of study; but a unique mindset and innovative toolkit that opens doors for its students.

To take a look at our 2011 project please visit http://2011.igem.org/Team:Waterloo. If you have any questions or would like to get involved, please e-mail me at d2chhina@gmail.com.

•

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Trending In Science and Business

Professor Memon Receives ESTA AwardIt is with great pleasure to announce that Kashif Memon, Professor, Advisor and Lecturer of the Science and Business Program is one of two recipients of the Excellence in Science Teaching Award for 2012. As stated by Barb Moffatt, Associate Dean - Faculty of Science:

“Kashif is recognized for the leadership, mentorship and teaching he has provided to the Science and Business program. The student nominators commented on the personal interest Kashif provides to train, guide and

mentor them as they develop their personal goals. The result is a tight cohort of students who graduate with strong communication skills along with an

excellent understanding of current business practices.”

OUA’s Women of Influence AwardCongratulations to Science and Business Alum Jessica Lawson on receiving the Ontario University Athletics’ Women of Influence Award. The award honours female student-athletes who have excelled in their chosen sports, fields of study and community involvement. Jessica was the 2010 captain of the Warrior field hockey team and served on the Warriors Inter-University Athletics Council for two years. In the community, she has been a member of the Warriors Team-Up Youth Outreach Program and the University of Waterloo FEDS Food Bank Program. She is currently employed at Research in Motion (RIM).

SciBiz Cares: Our Community InitiativeA big part of Science and Business is getting involved, whether it is in school or the community. This year our students took part in the 28th annual World Partnership Walk at the Waterloo Public Square, Canada’s largest walk dedicated to fighting global poverty through international development. A team of over 15 Science and Business students, faculty and alumni came together to raise over $3,000 in support of the walk. Our team, named ‘SciBiz Cares’, was the 7th highest fundraising team in the Kitchener-Waterloo region out of 35 teams. 100% of the proceeds go towards international development projects in developing countries. Walk the Walk. Change the World!

We Have a New Website and Resource Centre!Science and Business is making some moves. Visit uwaterloo.ca/science-and-business and learn a little a bit more about our faculty, ambassadors, clubs and academics. But as you know, our preference is that we would like to see all of you in person so come visit us at our new Resource Centre in ESC 254E!

92012 Students’ Edition

When I joined the UW Mars Rover Team (UWMRT), I had no idea that I would: spend countless hours in labs conducting experiments; learn the basics of building a rover; develop business skills as a group leader; embark on a two week road trip to the US; participate in an international competition; test my ability to perform as part of a team and demonstrate my individual knowledge; back our rental van into a desert ditch; bring home 7th prize before proceeding to celebrate our successes and failures over campfires and s’mores; and reflect on the entire journey through a video diary of our adventures.

At the start of my undergrad excursion, I made it my goal to become involved in the university community to both further my learning and broaden my horizons of opportunities that lay beyond our lectures. When a friend introduced me to UWMRT, it seemed like the perfect place to embark. The team was constructing a rover that would perform various challenges in a Utah desert. A science challenge was one component of the competition, and this is where I and two of my SciBus peers would come in. The three of us spent hours researching papers, examining lab manuals, meeting with science professors, analyzing past competition techniques, and optimizing experiments in labs to perfect our techniques. Fast forward a few months and we found ourselves under the hot desert sun, preparing to perform these biology and chemistry techniques with our rover, under a time constraint, and before a panel of judges. We waited for the rover to bring back rock samples from the desert terrain and then whipped out our tools to take over. We ran numerous biology and chemistry tests to prove that our sample carried photosynthetic and prokaryotic life and finished with the highest score for this component of the competition. Overall, our team placed 7th and that night, we reflected on our performance under the stars. It is from this discussion that we saw potential for the team to grow and how we would be able to cohesively employ

our business knowledge.

Instead of the engineers carrying the weight of talking to companies to acquire sponsorship, implementing various marketing methods, organizing finances and carrying out routine administrative tasks, the three of us would formulate a team to do this. The business team of UWMRT was born.

The learning curve associated with taking on this project was huge and I was in for more than I signed up for. I was able to truly gain an understanding of how I could apply both my science and business knowledge, and was even able to gain some perspective from an engineering point of view. I applied the concepts I learned in our daily lectures and labs, from titration techniques to spectroscopy, from geological patterns to ammonification tests, and from market analysis to business proposal drafting. From facing and overcoming numerous challenges, I was able to improve my communication skills, further my critical thinking, apply my creativity and enhance my teamwork skills within a setting that required both science and business capabilities. I gained insight into the routines of a cohesive workplace and through this, I believe I was better prepared for the co-op process.

It has been a full year since the 2011 competition, and I still remember it fondly. It taught that me that being a Science and Business student truly is an advantage. It allows us to develop a unique set of knowledge and skills and integrate them to bridge gaps between industries. From this experience, I believe I am one step closer to becoming the type of student that our program aims to develop: one who is able to solve problems through applying integrated learning techniques. The only thing I would change about this experience is managing to reverse a rental van into a deep, desert ditch… I don’t think I’ll ever be able to live that one down! •

Mandee KaurBriefcases, Bots and Biology BSc Honours Science - Biotechnology and Economics, University of Waterloo, 2015

CO-OP EXPERIENCE:Project Coordinator, eHealth OntarioCustomer Management Representative, Suncor Energy

“Being a Science and Business student truly is an advantage. It allows us to develop a unique set of knowledge and skills, and integrate them to bridge gaps between industries.”

broaden your horIzons

Trending In Science and Business

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Going into university I had only one goal I wanted to achieve: to make choices that put me against my own comfort zone. I was (and still am) a firm believer that the further you get away from yourself, the more challenging tasks are, thus promoting personal growth. It is for that reason that I always strived to try something new at each of my six co-op placements.

fIrst co-op experIences

As a recipient of the Suncor Emerging Leader scholarship, I was fortunate to receive my first summer internship at Petro-Canada working within the Marketing Services department. Being only 18 years old at the time and never having worked within a corporate environment, I was taught how to communicate effectively and how to integrate within a team setting. I was given a lot of responsibility and was held accountable to deliver results, things I found quite intimidating at the time. But after four months in that role, I was ready to come back to the company and take on a more senior role within the Planning and Performance group as a Sales Analyst. It was within this role that I experienced a healthy amount of stress right off the bat – with over 15 month-end and year-end reports due within the first week on the job, my lack of knowledge on how to use Excel and SAP had never been more evident! Sending reports directly to the VP also taught me the importance analyzing data accurately and efficiently, as I became aware of how many high level decisions relied on our group’s analysis.

somethIng new

After my terms with Petro-Canada, I decided to take a step back from the corporate environment and took on a placement at a Toronto tech start-up called Polar Mobile. Hired on to the team as a PR & Communications Specialist, I had no previous experience on how to create a marketing plan, how to write a press release or even how to use social media – but I was willing to learn. It was in the dynamic environment, constantly hooked to my company phone, that I learned how to make things come together when you don’t have many resources available. Through constant

networking (attending trade shows, media events, award shows) I quickly jumped on board and started working with external parties and the press to get Polar’s story in the news. After four months within that role, I realized I became a “social butterfly” and was keen to take a step out of my comfort zone yet another time. For my 4th co-op, I decided to fly out to Switzerland.

InternatIonal experIence

My arrival at Leysin American School (LAS) in Switzerland could not have been more of a fairytale – with a room overlooking the Alps, I couldn’t comprehend how I even got the Admission Assistant role. Working closely with the head masters of the school, I was given the opportunity to connect with students and families from around the world and encourage prospective students to enrol at LAS. The fact that I was over 6,000 km from home, in a different country where I did not speak the native language definitely threw me in for quite the culture shock. Living and working in the small alpine village of Leysin was a phenomenal experience, whereby I got to familiarize myself with part of the Swiss culture: hiking, eating local delicacies (cheese & chocolate mainly), going to outdoor thermal baths, traveling and of course working! It was while living there that I learned how to be independent and gained confidence in my own capabilities. Leysin quickly became my home away from home, and I will never forget the people who I met and worked with as they played a big role in my personal development.

Continued on Next Page

Julia ChelaruStretching Your Comfort ZoneBSc Honours Co-op Science and Business - Chemistry Specialization, Economics Minor, University of Waterloo, 2013

CO-OP EXPERIENCE:Marketing Services Intern, Petro-CanadaSales Analyst, Petro-CanadaPublic Relations & Communications Specialist, Polar MobileAdmissions Assistant, Leysin American SchoolNetwork Planning Analyst, Suncor EnergyCar Wash Strategies & Development Coordinator, Suncor Energy

preparIng graduates for the professIonal world

112012 Students’ Edition

the last stretch

Coming back to school after a summer in Europe was an adjustment, however it was time once again to test my abilities to adapt. I decided to return to Suncor Energy within the Asset Management group to get an opportunity to learn about Petro-Canada’s retail chain. I was involved in the post-audit project for the national retail gas station network, whereby I was able to develop on my previous knowledge of the industry and analyze our network’s position from a macro level. It was my first time looking at a business from an overall standpoint and having that insight of the Petro-Canada

network has helped me in my current role as a Car Wash Strategies & Development Coordinator. I am stepping out of my comfort zone by heading a project of significant impact to Suncor Energy. Without any previous project management familiarity, I believe that this project will provide first-hand experience to develop my knowledge as I will be working with colleagues from various departments to bring the project to completion.

In conclusion, I have absolutely no regrets looking back at my co-op career. I’ve had opportunities to work for large corporations, start-ups and also gain international work experience and I cannot be more thankful for this. It is through the past 24 months of work that I was able to grow my capabilities and extend my comfort zone, something that I will take with me long after my graduation. For this reason, I encourage all who took some time to read my story to take a leap out of their own comfort zones and experience something new. •

The Alumni ZoneSamina Mitha - Science and Business Class of 2011 - Business Intelligence Analyst, Everyday Health

At Everyday Health, being a Business Intelligence Analyst involves understanding client needs and requirements, sourcing the available data based on their needs, and in turn providing them with valuable information to solve their business problems. Additionally, my role focuses heavily on social media optimization, which entails providing recommendations to stakeholders on the use of various platforms based on key performance indicators.

How does the Science and Business program prepare students for life after graduation and the professional world?

The Science and Business Program provides students with the necessary skills and knowledge to tackle real-life situations in the working world. The program provides a foundation for students to understand how to be successful while working for any type of corporation. Additionally, the program offers students the opportunity to excel in a field related to either science or business. The Science and Business workshops are extremely beneficial as they provide hands-on perspectives into real-life case studies, allowing students to utilize the knowledge gained through their studies and co-op experiences.

preparIng graduates for the professIonal world

Where Can I End Up After Science and Business?Graduating from Science and Business means a multitude of opportunities are available to you. These are just some of the professions our graduates have successfully gone into:

Professional Programs: Medicine, Pharmacy, Optometry, Naturopathy, Law, MBA, CA

Business: Project Management, Product Marketing, Brand Management, Business Analytics, Supply Chain ManagementWhere They Are Working: Microsoft, Suncor Energy, University Health Network, eHealth Ontario, Deloitte, PepsiCo

scibus.ca

Your parents may not agree with me but there is more to university than simply studying and maintaining a 4.0 GPA. Getting involved within your program and faculty are fantastic ways to meet new people and enrich your university experience.

Throughout my university career, I’ve been fortunate enough to have participated in numerous extra-curricular activities within the Faculty of Science. I’ve learned something different about myself in each of these experiences and it has shaped me into the person I am today.

My journey of self-discovery started in second year university when I first joined the Science and Business Ambassadors. The Ambassadors are a team of upper-year Science and Business students who work together to mentor all students of the Science and Business program. Being a part of the Ambassador team opened my eyes to the tight-knit community I had heard so much about coming into the Science and Business program. I immediately found my love for helping others and felt pride and joy in their appreciation.

Being a student who is extremely passionate about the program I’m in, I continued to stay involved by helping represent the Science and Business program at the Ontario Universities Fair, Fall Open House and March Break Open House. In March 2010, I took my involvement within the program one step further by agreeing to co-chair the 7th annual Fusion Science and Business Conference to be held in March 2011. The Fusion Conference aims to connect current experts in science and technology industries with the bright young minds of the future. Co-chairing the Fusion Conference was such an incredible experience. From the midnight Skype calls with my Conference Co-Chair, Henry

Hsu, to arguing with my best friend so he would let me include his name on the Thank You page of the Fusion Conference program (because he had so graciously offered to create the masterpiece), I have many fond memories of the Conference experience. Though there were many challenging moments, I learned that with a great team and the right support, I can overcome and achieve anything.

Apart from being involved within the Science and Business program, I also immersed myself within the Faculty of Science by becoming involved with Orientation Week. In my second year, I was a front-line leader, the first point of contact for all incoming first year Science students. In my third year, I became a Science Orientation Events Coordinator, organizing the events specific to Science Orientation. Most recently, I was a Science Federation Orientation Committee member, overseeing the organization of Science Orientation and cross campus events. Through my orientation experiences, I learned what types of individuals I work well with and which ones I do not. I also discovered the importance of having a support system, whether it be family or close friends. When I reflect on my most recent orientation experience, I’m very grateful to have had a partner who was a real partner, one who stayed up with me until 3am when I broke down because I was so incredibly stressed, frustrated and exhausted. My various extra-curricular experiences have helped me determine the people who matter to me in my life.

I’m a firm believer that my experiences in life have shaped me into the person I am today. When I look back at my university career, I will not remember what I learned in first year calculus

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n Sharon NgMy Journey. My Experiences. My Memories.BSc Honours Co-op Science and Business - Biology Specialization, University of Waterloo, 2013

CO-OP EXPERIENCE:Program Assistant, Waterloo Unlimited, University of WaterlooRetail Programs Intern, Coffee & Services Team, Suncor EnergySupply & Optimization Intern, Refining & Product Supply, Suncor EnergyGlobal Marketing Intern, Petro-Canada Lubricants, Suncor Energy

enrIch your experIence

132012 Students’ Edition

Whenever I’m asked this question it’s usually accompanied by a perplexed look from the employer, friend, or other student wondering how anyone could possibly combine the two subjects. My response varies, but generally centres around one idea. To have a strong background in one discipline is to build up credibility in that field. To have understanding of the processes and culture of multiple disciplines is to have fluency in many fields so that the expertise in the primary area of study can be communicated and authority can be built in that subject. It is critical to gain some level of understanding in multiple disciplines because, particularly in the non-academic world, it is rare to be working exclusively with people of one background (math, science, arts, etc...).

UWaterloo offers five “and Business” programs: Science and Business, Arts and Business, Environment and Business, Recreation and Sport Business, and Math and Business. Each program has a unique focus on business, but each is siloed in its own faculty. There is no business faculty to unify the formal or extra-curricular study of business and this leaves a gap between students. Every program has academic strength with high calibre professors and students, but few people on the outside (students and employers alike) know about them. There is a need to improve awareness, build networks, and use our business clubs and associations to enhance the great business offering at the university.

That is where “X and Business” (XnBiz) comes in. It is an organization formed in 2011 by “and business” students with the support of staff and the directors from each program. Designed to strengthen

the reputation both internally and externally for UWaterloo “and Business” students, activities are based on helping students develop professionally through networking, attending business conferences/competitions, and various workshops on campus.

The initiative was attempted a few times before, but is finally gaining momentum in 2012. In the works this year are business focused workshops, the launch of a new website, and various networking opportunities. As a SciBus co-op student who has competed in business competitions, I know the benefits of practical experience in complimenting formal education. That is exactly what XnBiz is about and why I wanted to help establish it.

Fall 2012 will be the term of the first official elections for the executive team and for member registration where every “and Business” student is welcome. Along with getting to meet other “and Business” students, a key benefit to the group is that there are significant opportunities to get involved with various levels of commitment. We are not a FEDs club or a faculty association. In fact, XnBiz is completely novel in that it is a student run organization extending to the interfaculty level to unite students from five different programs. Ultimately, the silos may still be there as separate faculties, but they can now be connected through XnBiz.

Best wishes in the coming term!

Tatjana Milojevic - President, XnBiz

xnbizinfo@gmail.com http://www.facebook.com/XnBiz •

Sharon Ngor cell biology. Instead, I’ll remember the students I helped as an Ambassador, the sense of relief and pride I felt when the Fusion Conference went off without a hitch after everything that could go wrong had gone wrong in the planning phase, and the feeling I had when approximately 1000 Science students screamed my work nickname while dancing to a Jason DeRulo song for the Secret Science Dance...these are the things I’ll remember and cherish, the ‘for better and for worse’.

I wish to leave you with a parting note: two great pieces of

advice I’ve been given are “just get involved” and “enjoy the journey”. This is the advice I’ll leave you with and whether you choose to take it is your decision but in my experiences (and I’ve had many), you will never know who you are and what you will discover about yourself until you take that leap and get involved. Don’t worry, you’ll find smiling faces and unforgettable memories as you delicately stumble along your journey. I forewarned you that your parents may not agree with me, didn’t I? Now go on and enjoy the journey! •

Tatjana MilojevicWhy Do You Study Science and Business?BSc Honours Co-op Science and Business - Hydrogeology Specialization, University of Waterloo, 2014

CO-OP EXPERIENCE:Environmental Technician, WESA GroupLand and Water Researcher, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development CanadaEnvironmental Science Technician, Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation

develop yourself professIonally

scibus.ca

I recently heard stated in an interview that the principal goal of an organization should be to align and motivate a group of people toward a common goal. I believe this to be true.

I also believe that this statement could be expanded to state that the role of an organization is to effectively communicate and inculcate certain values within greater society – starting with the people who join them.

My decision to bring the world-renowned TED movement to the University of Waterloo was driven by several unfulfilled needs. As a member of this high-octane university community, I found myself being constantly surrounded by motivated and focused students, several of whom were united by their passion for building powerful, vibrant communities.

I knew that soon enough, I would be motivated by such company to build a legacy of my own before graduating. Having had the benefit of several co-op terms under my belt, as well as the opportunity to meet, learn and grow under the tutelage of some of the brightest entrepreneurial minds in Canada, I nurtured the ambition of building a community that would be united around the transformative power of ideas, which reflected values that I sincerely believed in, and which would be known for combining high-quality design, flawless execution and ceaseless professionalism in ways that would make it distinct from other organizations.

Hence, I decided to found TEDxUW (www.tedxuw.com) – the University of Waterloo’s official TEDx speakers conference – as a way to showcase the vibrancy of our university community to a global audience numbering in the hundreds of millions, connect and lead a tribe composed of the only brightest and most accomplished members of the university and to start excited conversations around the achievements and philosophy of our university within the worldwide TED movement.

The startling growth and transformation of the international TED movement (www.ted.com), from its humble origins as a small, private, interdisciplinary conference drawing experts

from the arts and technical science to a global organization and movement spawning thousands of events, touching the lives of several hundreds of millions of people nearly thirty years later, brought with it the excitement and thrill of participating in something larger than life.

The opportunity to directly contribute to the success of this global movement by organizing the University of Waterloo’s very own speakers conference, was a fantastic opportunity to apply three years’ worth of skills and experiences that I had picked up in the classroom, workplace and through extracurricular interests. It was also a unique opportunity for me to put my budding entrepreneurial skills to the test by chairing the conference, learning how to recruit and manage team members, devise strategies, priorities and milestones, negotiate with sponsors for funding and support, and work with the university to secure the long-term support of the senior executive suite. The entire process was rewarding, as I had the opportunity to experience first-hand how to run a team within a start-up setting, and challenging, as the 40+ hours I was putting in every week needed to be balanced with the demands of co-op applications and classwork.

Our mission at TEDxUW is to showcase the most remarkable personalities and thought-provoking ideas to emerge from our university by recording them in rich, high-quality video and promoting them online with the TED and TEDx branding. In doing so, we bring more attention to the offbeat values and mindsets of our university community and redefine what it means to create and deliver amazing experiences that lie at the intersection of learning and intelligent entertainment.

Part of the latest in a series of more than 3000 speaker events being held around the world, we bring together intelligent, connected, extremely talented and energetic members of the University of Waterloo community in order to build an

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n Prashanth GopalanThe TEDxUW ExperienceBSc Honours Co-op Science and Business - Biotechnology Specialization, Economics Minor, University of Waterloo, 2013

CO-OP EXPERIENCE:Marketing Analyst, Wishabi.caSMB Breadth Marketing Analyst, Microsoft CanadaProduct Marketing Co-op, SAP SybaseOperations Resource (Manufacturing Team Leader), PepsiCo

showcasIng uw to the world

152012 Students’ Edition

The first real step that I took for my career was by a leap of faith, while signing my Biotechnology and Economics acceptance letter to attend the University of Waterloo back in 2008. When I first learned of Waterloo co-op opportunities, I was nervous about finding a real job. As a first year student you may not think you have much to offer. Besides, my only employment experience prior to university was at a local coffee shop.

My first co-op application process was overwhelming, trying to apply to as many jobs as possible not knowing what to expect. During my first full interview process, it seemed as though every one of my classmates and friends were receiving requests for interviews except for me. After a few weeks, I decided that it was increasingly difficult to find an internship as the term was almost over and I contacted the Co-op office to evaluate my options. I was discouraged and a little bit embarrassed but I did not admit defeat. In the end, I decided to switch my work term to a study term. My advice to you is to be confident in yourself, be proactive and don’t give up when you’re stuck – reach out to people who can help you.

The following term, I was much more driven, prepared and diligent in applying to jobs that best aligned with my skills. Making the switch helped me take a step back to understand my strengths in relation to career options. I accepted the first offer and found myself working for Industry Canada for the Economics department in Ottawa. This was the first time I was away from my family and friends, starting a journey of self-development. From the very first day, my team and my colleagues offered me a very welcoming office culture and over

time I realized how much I valued being in an open and healthy work environment. For every subsequent co-op term, this was the criterion I would uphold before accepting a position. I also realized that having the right attitude and dedication reflects through your work through leaps and bounds.

The interview process became easier and faster as I honed in more interpersonal and technical skills. Finding a job was not as difficult as the first time and I found myself accepting offers from corporations such as PepsiCo, LoyaltyOne and Facebook. I was drawn more towards a company’s corporate culture, values and leadership style more than my job title. I believe that success is built on collaborative partnerships, energetic teamwork, and recognition. The bottom line is that you need to focus on something you value and go after it. My advice for you is to learn about who you are and do what ignites your passion. Find opportunities where you feel your job is an extension of your personality. I found myself easily identifying obstacles and my curiosity would not allow me to leave until I found an innovative solution. I had the mindset of finding ways to create efficiencies and always contribute to solving problems.

I came into Waterloo’s co-op program expecting to gain skills, but I received more. With every succeeding co-op placement, I found myself growing and seeing things from a different and more diverse perspective. The best part about all of my work terms is reflecting on the lessons I have learnt, the contributions I have made, and the boundless encounters of the future. •

engaged community of change-makers, and, in the process, we intend to position the University of Waterloo as a world-class community where great minds and big ideas always meet.

In little more than one year of operations, it appears that this idea has been well-received. After the success of our inaugural event last year, our videos have been viewed more than 1 million times around the world and have even gone on to be featured in several prominent international media

outlets around the world, including CNN, CBC and The Guardian.

Our focus this year is to grow and expand the reach and impact of our event, both on campus and within the ranks of our international audience, continue to build a sustainable and values-based organization from the ground-up, and define the roadmap for the next crop of outstanding student leaders willing to join our ranks and hone their skills to battle-readiness. •

Vivian ChowMy Co-op JourneyBSc Honours Co-op Science and Business - Biotechnology Specialization, Economics Minor, University of Waterloo, 2013

CO-OP EXPERIENCE:Junior Economist, Industry Canada - Economic Research and Policy Analysis BranchProduct Development Technician, PepsiCoConsumer Intelligence Business Analyst, LoyaltyOne Inc.Market Strategist, FacebookAnalytics Solutions Specialist, LoyaltyOne Inc.

be confIdent, be proactIve

learn about who you are and do what IgnItes your passIon

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The Science and Business Ambassadors An Interview With the Co-Lead Ambassadors: Ketyurah D’Silva and Alice Wei

Ketyurah is in her 4th year in Biotechnology Specialization. She has completed co-op positions at Tutorjam Canada, Microsoft and PricewaterhouseCoopers and loves Latin and Ballroom Dancing!

Alice is in her 3rd year in Biology Specialization. She has completed co-op positions at Health Canada, InViVo Communications and CGI and would someday like to go to culinary school for fun!

what Is your best memory of beIng a scIence and busIness student?

A: When I found out that I passed Organic Chemistry!

K: I love the SciBus workshops especially in the upper years - its a great way to reconnect with all of your SciBus friends since everyone is taking vastly different courses. Its like a big family reunion!

what Is the coolest student organIzatIon on campus?

K & A: the SciBus Ambassadors of course!

who are the ambassadors? and what kInd of events are planned for the upcomIng school year?

K& A: We are student mentors who guide prospective students, to ensure a smooth transition from high school into the university life. We offer advice pertaining to academics, job searches, resumes and interviews, housing, and other general inquiries to help students feel welcomed into the Science and Business community. We are here to make a difference - by being mentors & leaders, inspiring others, and giving students a voice in their academics.

Events for the upcoming school year include “What I Wish I Knew in First Year, Jobmine Tutorials, Trivia Night, the Alumni Dinner and of course, everyone’s favorite - Dodgeball!” We will also be collaborating with SBSA and Fusion Conference committee to plan awesome events for all SciBus students!

what do you thInk Is the bIggest dIfference between hIgh school and unIversIty?

A: In my opinion, the biggest difference would be the academic course load in university because the material covered is so much more, and in a much faster pace. Especially with lectures, tutorials and labs, there’s always so many assignments and reports that have fast approaching due dates. But on top of that, midterms are just around the corner and then all of a sudden its final exam time. So its extremely important to stay of on top of everything by managing your time effectively and don’t wait for the last minute!

K: I believe its time - there always seemed to be an excess of time in High School. You could literally get involved with everything and still get enough time to study. In university, you’ll find that you are trying to fit everything into your already packed schedule. It’s tough at first, but with a supporting community like SciBus, you’re bound to pick up the ropes fast!

In your opInIon, where Is the best place to eat on campus?

A: Chopsticks inside Davis Center Library!

K: Panda King in the Plaza.

do you have any other advIce for the IncomIng fIrst year students?

A: Come out to our Ambassador events! - not only will you be able to make new friends from different years in Science and Business, you will also be able to gain valuable knowledge about what courses to take, where to buy cheaper textbooks, how to look for housing, and advice on how to land your dream co-op job! My last piece of advice would be.....don’t stay up too late and remember to call your parents once in awhile!

K: Sleep well and get your rest - all-nighters will not likely give you the results you hope for. Eat healthy and exercise regularly. It all sounds generic, but it works!

what do you lIke to do In your spare tIme?

A: In my spare time, I like cooking or baking, and of course eating (especially discovering new restaurants and trying new foods). I also enjoy reading novels, watching TV shows and exploring the city - wherever I’m living!

K: I love playing sports especially soccer, latin and ballroom dancing, and painting in my spare time. I enjoy hanging out with my friends and family and going camping! •

we all just want to succeed

172012 Students’ Edition

The Science and Business Ambassadors Maisam HasanWhy Science and Business Was My First Choice.....BSc Honours Science and Business - No Specialization, University of Waterloo, 2015

CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT:Science and Business Student AmbassadorUniversity of Waterloo Student Campus AmbassadorResearch Assistant, Applied Health Sciences - Dr. Nancy Fenton

To be asked to sum up the experiences of the past 2 years of my life into a single article seems to be a rather difficult task for there is so much to talk about and not enough space in this magazine to fit it all!

At just 18, I made a drastic decision to move across the world leaving my hometown Abu Dhabi in the U.A.E, my family and closest friends behind to follow my dream of pursuing an undergrad degree at the University of Waterloo, Canada. I thought I was coming to earn a degree, but as the years pass, I realize I am getting much more than just a degree. The life lessons of moving miles away from home seemed daunting to face at first; homesickness, keeping up with courses, balancing academia and extracurricular activities, and of course, making new friends while adjusting to the new and very different culture were all issues I was forced to face very early on.

I was fortunate enough to develop a coping mechanism that has helped make my adjustment so much smoother; surrounding myself with positive, hard-working people has thus far been able to push me to overcome many of the obstacles I face. Moreover, it gives me a sense of hope that UW can too become my second home especially when I have so many great people providing me with an exceptionally supportive atmosphere. The main point is that we all come from different backgrounds, with varying dreams and it is our similarities not differences that brought us together, we all just want to succeed!

You may be wondering why I chose Canada and UW of all places?

Well, when I graduated from high school I hadn’t yet composed a definite picture of what career I wanted to choose for myself. However, with that said, I realized that I needed to find a program that would give me flexibility whilst maintaining a well- rounded experience and a degree of quality and high standards, something I can be proud of.

I began my search and within a few short months, I couldn’t find anything else in Canada or the world that offered me what the Science and Business program at UW could; a degree that

allowed me to explore the scientific world with a business twist. I am ever so grateful for making the final decision to pursue such a wonderful opportunity. The program’s Science and Business workshops (only offered to SciBus students) have helped define my communication, presentation, and team working; essential skills for any successful professional career. The business courses (such as Econ 101 and 102) have opened my eyes to a world that depends on social responsibility and awareness for its sustainability. Last, but not least, the science courses have given me a hands on experience with lab components, taught by UW’s most intelligent professors, truly helped me continue feeding my passion for science.

Even though the Science and Business program has empowered me with great raw skills, my personal involvements in extracurricular activities have truly shaped the person I am today. The most useful lesson I learned early on during my university career is to take part in activities that I enjoy doing. My involvement with the Science and Business Ambassador team in addition to my part time job as a Student Campus Ambassador have provided me with continuous opportunities to help other prospective students by informing them about the great programs and experiences UW has to offer. Moreover, my Research Assistant position (within the Applied Health Sciences Faculty) with Dr. Nancy Fenton, has allowed me the chance to further broaden my horizons by learning about the methods of qualitative research in the First Nations communities, regarding an asthma educational program. I have also been able to complete the Student Leadership Program, which highly improved my reflection and critical thinking skills when working with others.

Even though I am more interested than ever in continuing to learn about achieving the perfect balance between school work and my extracurricular activities, I am still very excited about and look forward to the new experiences that UW has in store; for winning any uphill battle is not as greatly desired if it weren’t for the path and journey we are to take along the way. •

we all just want to succeed

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Hello SciBus!

Last year, Fusion Conference 2012 asked what kind of person you are to differentiate yourself from others in the business world. This year, we are taking that theme and going even deeper. What is your motivation behind your program, your strengths, and your ambitions? What makes you get up in the morning ready to tackle the world? What is at your core, and at the core of businesses? Fusion 2013 Co-Chairs Cassandra Ottawa, Zack Pizzolato, and myself are convinced that what makes up who you are is what you’re passionate about.

For those who do not know, Fusion is our annual Science and Business Conference held on a Saturday in early March, as well as a Keynote Address on the Friday evening. This conference gives Science and Business, Biotech/Econ and Biotech/CA students a chance to volunteer on the Executive Team and build their leadership portfolio, as well as get the chance to listen to and network with a wide variety of business professionals. It is a great opportunity to open your eyes to the real world, see how your passion stacks up to those of business leaders, and if you haven’t already, discover what you’re passionate about.

This year, we have a lot of exciting new ideas planned and ready to go in full force to make this without a doubt, the biggest and most spectacular Fusion Conference yet. These include a headline of marquee speakers from a variety of different

science and business backgrounds, a Friday evening social, and more interactive speaker sessions. Returning to this year’s lineup will also be the case study where you get to showcase your problem-solving skills in front of employers, similar to what is done in SciBus workshops. Our goal is for there to be something for everyone, from all faculties.

Last year, our Keynote Speaker was Howard McIntyre, Vice-President, Lubricants at Suncor Energy. His testimonial said, “Fusion was an excellent conference. As key sponsor and keynote, Suncor was very impressed with the organization of the event, the quality and quantity of attendees. We were honoured to attend and speak to such an engaged group.” We hope to once again bring in speakers with a rich business background.

I speak on behalf of the co-chairs when I say that we took the co-chair positions because we care about the SciBus community, and want to give back in the best possible way. We feel that by helping you discover and ignite your passion, it can motivate you to achieve great things, no matter if you’re a first year or a fourth year. We encourage all students to attend this conference, and take the first, most important step in achieving your career potential. Ready to ignite your passion? Challenge accepted.

Mark Kryshtalskyj - Fusion Co-Chair - 3A Science and Business

2012 Conference SpeakersHoward McIntyre, Vice-President Lubricants - Suncor EnergyAditya Shah, Co-Founder & CMO - Loose ButtonMichael Litt, Co-Founder & CEO - VidyardEllyn Winters-Robinson, CMO - IgnitionBob Rushby, President - Pixelized Light Inc.Nitin Kaushal, Executive VP & Managing Director - Medwell CapitalAndrew Matlock, CEO & Creative Director - IndustryDave Wilkin, Founder & President - Redwood Strategic & CampusPerks

Fusion Conference 2013 Co-Chairs (From Left): Mark Kryshtalskyj, Cassandra Ottawa, Zachary Pizzolato

192012 Students’ Edition

Highlights From the 2012 Fusion Conference

Day 1 - The Keynote: The first half of the conference which features our keynote speaker was sponsored by Suncor Energy. Howard McIntyre, Vice-President of the Lubricants Division at Suncor Energy delivered an interactive presentation on the topic of personal branding and the benefits of the Science and Business combination. Delegates also had the opportunity to network with each other and with members of the Suncor team to learn more about the business. In addition, delegates got their first peek at the case study competition which would take place on Day 2.

Day 2 - Speaker Sessions & Case Study Competition: The first part of the day allowed delegates to attend 4 speaker sessions of their choice and learn about the different opportunities and industries available to them in the future. The second part of the day featured the Case Study Competition where delegates are broken up into groups to solve a real-life business problem. This year’s competition was sponsored by BufferBox and finalists in the competition would get to present their solutions in front of the BufferBox team. Delegates also got to take part in the employer exhibit over the lunch hour. Finally, the day concluded with a nighttime social at the University Club where delegates got to unwind with food and music and have a good time with their peers.

The 2012 Exec Team From Left to Right :

Khushbu Naik - Internal RelationsElisa Watson - Public RelationsClement Ma - Online Evan Chong - Co-ChairGabrielle Hebert - Co-ChairMandee Kaur - Public RelationsErik Chu - Public RelationsJennifer Kwong - Internal RelationsMay Zhang - Special EventsHarpreet Pandher - OperationsAnh Lam - OperationsShan Lian (not present) - Online

w w w. u w a t e r l o o . c a / s c i e n c e - a n d - b u s i n e s s

COVER: Jennifer Kwong, Maisam Hasan, Matthew Botelho, Tatjana Milojevic, Ly Pham, Nicholas Tossell

PUBLISHER: Science and Business Program, University of Waterloo. August 2012

CO-EDITOR: Kashif Memon, Science and Business Program Advisor and Coordinator, kmemon@uwaterloo.ca

CO-EDITOR AND LAYOUT PRODUCER: Sultanali Ladhani, Science and Business Project Manager, sladhani@uwaterloo.ca

PHOTOGRAPHY: New School Photography; Light Imaging

SPECIAL THANKS TO THOSE WHO CONTRIBUTED THEIR STORIES AND IDEAS TO THIS YEAR’S PUBLICATION

scibus.ca, Issue 14