Name: Gord Zwaigenbaum | Program: Chemical Engineering | Graduation Year: 6T7 |
Kudos to the new graduates who are being honoured at Engineering Convocation Day at the great University of Toronto. With all the political turmoil and distractions with COVID 19, etc., you managed to stay on track and complete your engineering degrees on schedule, which is remarkable – good job and well done!
I am an alumni (6T7) I am pleased to share some insights on work and growth.
The work of engineers is essential, challenging and evolving. I can’t put myself in “your shoes” because of the numerous changes that have occurred since my graduation and I really expect this growth will continue indefinitely!
The growth of engineering is continuous and non stop. People need to adapt and they do. Years ago, no one could have imagined that engineers could be trained “online” or this convocation could be celebrated ”virtually”or even know what these terms mean! I believe engineers and others will benefit from the amazing opportunities that will open up…
Congratulations once again and I wish the 2T0 and 2T1 classes good health and a happy life!
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gord-zwaigenbaum-ab45935b/
Name: Martin Grech | Program: Civil | Graduation Year: 9T5 |
Congratulations on this amazing achievement! Absorb the moment, albeit unique, and make the best of something you have worked 4 – 5 years to achieve. My career advice as you move on to the next stage in your lives is to keep an open mind when it comes to your professional opportunities. You will never really know where your career will take you but the very early part of it should include trying things you didn’t think you were qualified to do. The one important thing engineers have in common is problem solving. Use that skill and say yes to opportunities you want to try. You will learn in the role and you may discover a passion that you didn’t know existed. Enjoy this time and love learning. It’s a lifetime journey that my curiosity has opened up doors that I never knew existed. Enjoy and again congrats!
https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-grech-mba-p-eng-cpa-cma-62885a14/
Name: Vincent Pun | Program: Engineering Science | Graduation Year: 9T9 PEY |
My message to my younger self and to the graduating class is, do not be afraid to try new things especially when you are just graduating. I was offered a job to return to the company I had my PEY at, but decided to apply to other jobs. Eventually that led me to new opportunities in Boston where I made friends and had experiences that I would cherish for the rest of my life.
There were also opportunities missed because I was too comfortable or did not want to lose the job or person I already had. Although I have been given the opportunity to change my career path due to being laid off twice, I did not take this chance to significantly pursue the path I have deeper passion for early on. This has left me labeled as only good for certain work. So don’t be afraid to seek out more interesting assignments especially at the start of your career whether it be in your existing job or outside because the benefit of finding your passions far outweigh the possibility of failure. Of course this does not only apply to the workplace, but in personal relationships and institutional alignment also.
Finally I wish you all the success as you venture out in a truly new world with extraordinary problems to solve which should excite and unite all of you as apart of the 2020 engineering graduating class.
Name: Praveen Jain | Program: PhD | Graduation Year: 8T7 |
I landed on the U of T campus on a cold evening of October 1981, as a new immigrant and so unsure of my future. Fortunately, U of T nurtured me in many ways and allowed me to become a leader in my field. My heartiest congratulations to the graduating class of 2T0- not only engineers, but our leaders of tomorrow!
Name: Eraj Ahmed | Program: MEng | Graduation Year: 1T9 |
It is important to take care of yourself… Make sure you spend a lot of time doing things you enjoy aside from studying.
Name: Michael Harrison | Program: Eng Phys – Electronic | Graduation Year: 5T2 |
If I knew how important networking was before I graduated I’d have done more.
March 1952 and I had neither the time nor the means to do a job search. Fortunately companies in those days came to campus with offers. I joined GE because it offered the “Electronic Training Program” patterned after our famous ”Power Program” for power engineer.
I should have networked with someone! We used to say: we did no electronics, there was no training and as far as we saw no program. However the plant closed for two weeks in August and jobs were posted. I chose installation of the Audio transmitter at CBC TV on Jarvis Street. When the Video team shut Audio down I went to TV studios to watch productions in rehearsal. Our customer, Chief Transmitter Operator Jack Hawkins said “Mike you told me about your background in stage production (it included Skule Nite) why don’t you check with the Director in the TV Building and get a job here?”. I did and worked on CBC’s Opening Night live TV drama Sept. 1 1952.
Every single change in my career from then over the next 43 years was due to networking BEFORE advancing!
My last job was as Dean of Business at BCIT, selected in part because our Business School included Operations, Administration, Marketing , Finance -and Broadcasting!
Michael Harrison
Name: Raj Joshi | Program: Industrial Engineering | Graduation Year: 8T9 |
Work is not life. Without life there is nothing. Always prioritize life and family first. At times it’s very difficult, and very easy to brush aside. We justify work as necessary to live the life we want, however the life we want changes with every new experience – this becomes a goal never attained. We work because we want to be fulfilled, not because we want to fulfill – striving to do both is what I’ve focused on.
http://linkedin.com/in/rajjoshicanada
Name: John Sun | Program: Engineering Science | Graduation Year: 8T9 |
If I was doing things over, I’d seek as much variety of work experience as early in my career as possible:
– Work for a high tech startup.
– If working for a larger corporation seek assignments in different functions, different regions, even different countries.
Do this in the first 10-15 years out of Skule so you find out what you like. After that you might find yourself less flexible due to various life milestones (marriage, children, aging parents).
Bonus advice: you will get calls and cold calls from various investment specialists who want your money for “sure bets”. If I was doing this over I’d take Warren Buffet’s advice and just put savings into North American ETFs and keep them there for 5 years at a time or more.
Name: Heba Chehade | Program: Chemical Engineering | Graduation Year: 0T0 PEY |
In your work and career, always say yes! Yes to every opportunity to gain experience and explore your strengths. Don’t think you can’t do it or you don’t know. You can do anything with the right mentor. You can learn if you commit to never ending learning. Whatever road you take, you will always be an Engineer!
Name: Xavier Tang | Program: Industrial | Graduation Year: 0T9 PEY |
I’m lucky enough to have led a career and personal life that has balanced each other well so far. Probably more inadvertently than consciously, I think I’ve managed to work hard when it was needed and gave myself permission to ”let off the gas” when I could. When I reflect on those around me, my peers, colleagues, and acquaintances, the people who are both successful in their careers and personally fulfilled are those that have managed to strike this balance. Otherwise, at some point you start to question what you’re doing all of this for.
Don’t get me wrong. Work harder than others. Set ambitious goals. Take risks. Have 16 hour work days, when it’s necessary. Just never forget to enjoy the journey and never take yourself and others too seriously. You’re a U of T Engineer. You will do well in the world if you try a little. You will change the world if you try a lot. You’ll also be useless if you burn out. Life isn’t a 4 year degree or sprint. Chances are you’ll be doing your best work 10, 20 years from now.