Name: Ian Po | Program: Engineering Science | Graduation Year: 8T1 |
Dear Graduates:
As you embark upon a new chapter of your life, approach it with enthusiasm, hope and enjoyment. While the future may be uncertain and challenging, it also promises experience and reward. No one graduating class is more or less fortunate than any other ones. You have been well-trained and you are ready to take on new challenges, may it be the work force or graduate studies.
Many engineers have chosen careers ultimately unrelated to traditional engineering field like electrical, mechanical or chemical. I am a good example of that. After 4 years of engineering work upon graduation, I have been in the financial and investment field ever since.
Yet, engineering training taught me how to problem-solve and gave me the foundation of endurance and ethics, which was some of the most important skills that allowed me to succeed in my career and that will also apply to all of you.
Good luck and stay safe.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianpo/
Name: Rick Ross | Program: Industrial Engineering | Graduation Year: 6T6 |
Everyone graduates in a specific engineering discipline. Just remember that 50% of all engineers practice in a field other than the one they graduated in. I graduated over 50 years ago and my graduating class still gets together for quarterly lunches! We found no two of our classmates ended up with the same career. Be flexible to opportunities as they arise!!
Name: Brian Gaston | Program: Civil | Graduation Year: 7T8 |
If I knew then what I know now, I would work to keep my younger self’s ego in check. Graduation from U of T Engineering is a huge achievement and it’s hard not to flaunt it. I would make sure that I recognized the wisdom of those that have experience and, not necessarily, a U of T degree!
Name: Jeff Vella | Program: Computer Engineering | Graduation Year: 9T5 PEY |
Congratulations on your graduation! I am sure that you had a great experience at Skule and will have many more great experiences throughout your professional career.
Remember to leave time for family, friends and doing the things you love in addition to having a fulfilling career.
All the best in your future!
Name: Stan Gasner | Program: Indy (MIE) | Graduation Year: 6T4 |
To the grad class of 2020,
I sincerely wish all the best to the class of 2020 from and on behalf of the class of 6T4 IE.
It is too bad that you will have missed out on the actual ceremony but you are making history in a new format. You can do it over again at your 50th when you get your gold pin.
I have three bits of advice:
1. Your classmates at Skule will be some of the best friends that you will ever have. Keep your connections over the years, keep in touch and continue to get together.
2. Keep away from Facebook, Twitter and the rest of the social medias. You can live without them. As a matter of fact, many did not live with them. They are continually misused, advising the world of such menial occurrences…We are much better without them…
3. Do not think that you know it all once you have graduated. We really learned at Skule how to think which may be the basis of your profession. Your first position will be the start of your actual learning. Listen and learn.
This is all what I would tell my younger self…
Name: Kit Chau | Program: EngSci | Graduation Year: 9T4 |
There are all sort of problems outside the real world that we need to handle.
It would be nice if you can get the help and advise from professors after you graduate.
So please spend more time to build relationship with them as they will be your mentors for life and your career!
Name: Dennis Nabieszko | Program: Engineering | Graduation Year: 7T5 |
To be successful, you need to build relationships with others. You get things done through others. You do things for them. They will do so in return. So many things I was able to get done informally because of those relationships, both formal and informal.
Build a well rounded career and personal life. Do not sacrifice one for the other. Keep it balanced.
When things go badly, and they will, do not despair. I always remembered that in 100 years, none of this would matter. In most cases, none of it mattered in a few days or weeks.
Be willing to always learn, adapt, change, and be open to the impossible. I have seen things done that people said could not be done.
Above all, if you do not enjoy doing something, move on. Life is too short and precious to not enjoy it.
Congratulations to all of you!!!
Name: Andrea Stojcevski | Program: Chemical | Graduation Year: 8T8 |
Dear graduate,
As you start your future career path, it is important to know that you will face many challenges as well as opportunities. It is in the challenges that you really need to focus, the hard times will define you much more than the good. The most important thing that has kept me going in tough times is the foundation I have in my values. I learned too late that my values are the strongest roots in myself. When I worked in places that had values (or lack of) that conflicted with my own, I struggled and weakened. If I had known or recognized this, I would have cut myself from these places sooner. Don’t be afraid to do this as you go forward. Work places that don’t value the same things you do, are not the places for you and the sooner you know and decide to leave, the better. If values are your foundation, then resilience is your roof. You will not always be in control of your work and career. Indeed, many things will happen that will hurt you, shake your confidence, and attack your livelihood. But if you practice resilience, you will come out of it stronger and richer. I have been through lay-offs, been passed over for promotion, and faced a lot of nasty workplace politics. If I had known that my own resilience was much more important than other peoples views and opinions of me, I would have saved myself a lot of heart-ache and pain. More often than not, you can’t control the environment around you, so you must recognize that instead you can be resilient and believe that you will survive and eventually thrive.
Name: Al Qureshi | Program: Engineering | Graduation Year: 9T6 |
The long arc of your careers is just beginning. And an arc it will be. I didn’t quite appreciate just how many twists and turns there would be in my own story. It might be difficult at times to imagine success given the current economic downturn. Rest assured. This will all pass. Your story is just beginning! Just relish it. Every minute. Given that you all have already earned a degree from a highly respected institution, the next most valuable asset you are going to need is your community of friends, family and peers. Do not underestimate just how important this asset will be and how it will guide you over the years to come. Onward, and best of luck!
Http://Bluewater-fintech.com/
Name: Graydon Bell | Program: Industrial Engineering | Graduation Year: 7T5 |
Congratulations on graduating from U of T Engineering!
Be confident your education has prepared you well for your career. Not so much in what you know now but more about your heightened ability to grow and develop yourself further. Realize you are starting over again on a new, unpredictable journey of discovery, learning and opportunity.
I joined an excellent large company where the initial career path was clear. However, in subsequent years my path morphed several times in unexpected ways and diverse work locations – including foreign assignments. I could never have dreamed of the path my life would take over the years. Be prepared to embrace unexpected, unfamiliar opportunities and run with them! They will take you far through a rewarding life and career.