How Waterloo got me to where I am today

Graduating from university is the beginning of an exciting new chapter. For many Waterloo grads, their time here didn’t just prepare them for exams, it set them up for real-world success.

In this article, we dive into the journeys of six grads, each with their own unique insights and takeaways from Waterloo. From navigating the freedom of post-grad life to landing dream jobs, these alumni have stories packed with lessons, challenges, and the kind of experience that only Waterloo can provide. 

The power of connections and hands-on experience: How Waterloo helped pave Manal’s path to success in public health

Manal (she/her) says her time at Waterloo played a huge role in shaping her career. Thanks to a mix of hands-on learning, real-world experience, and a strong sense of community, she feels Waterloo gave her everything she needed to succeed. 

After finishing her undergrad in 2023, Manal pursued a master's in environmental sustainability and built on the strong foundation she developed at Waterloo studying public health. She credits much of her success to the experiences she had and the connections she made during her time here, especially with mentors like Dr. Warren Dodd who taught her ecological determinants of health in her third year and helped inspire her career path. “Dr. Dodd had a huge influence on me, and I still stay in touch with him today. His guidance really helped shape my professional direction.”  

For Manal, the co-op program was a total game-changer. The work experience she got during her work terms not only helped her build practical skills but also led directly to her current job as a volunteer co-ordinator for the Region of Peel. She started out as a co-op assistant there and landed a full-time role after completing her masters. She credits co-op for giving her the connections and confidence she needed to make it happen. 

On top of that, Waterloo taught her vital life skills like time management and how to stay resilient under pressure. She admits the workload could be intense, but it prepared her for the real world in a way she’s super grateful for. Manal’s advice for students starting out is not to stress about having it all figured out in your first year. Take your time exploring your interests, find what excites you, and let the rest fall into place. University is a time to figure out who you are and what you want to do. She also stresses that your time at Waterloo is what you make of it, seizing the opportunities in front of you is incredibly important.  

Looking back, Manal says her time at Waterloo was about so much more than just earning a degree. She made lifelong friends, built a strong network, and gained the skills she needed to take her career to the next level. For her, Waterloo wasn’t just a stepping stone, it was the foundation for everything that comes next. 

Navigating what’s next: Nathaniel’s journey from Waterloo grad to fifth-grade teacher

For Nathanial (he/him), graduating from Waterloo in 2021 was both exciting and overwhelming. The summer after university was a "what now?" moment, but it taught him an important lesson: there’s no need to rush into decisions. Whether it’s starting a career, pursuing further studies, or launching a new venture, he believes it’s okay to take your time and explore your options. 

One of Nathanial’s biggest takeaways from Waterloo is the importance of getting involved. He encourages incoming Waterloo students to embrace everything university has to offer, clubs, intramurals, volunteering, and meeting new people. "Try everything and don’t limit your experiences, university is your time to figure out what excites you." 

Nathanial also credits Waterloo with teaching him how to learn, not just academically but in all areas of life. The different styles of classes, lectures, seminars, and labs helped him discover his own learning style — a skill he now uses daily as a fifth-grade teacher. He encourages students to focus on building transferable skills — like adaptability, critical thinking, and time management — which are valuable long after graduation. 

When preparing for life after university, Nathanial advises students to identify what truly matters to you. “Write down your passions and use them as a guide when making career decisions,” he suggests. He stresses that it’s easy to feel limited by expectations, but there are more options than you might think. 

Looking back, Nathanial appreciates the opportunities for growth that Waterloo provided, both academically and personally. His journey serves as a reminder that life after university doesn’t have to follow a straight path. By staying open to change, exploring opportunities, and focusing on what excites you, you can confidently navigate whatever comes next. 

Exploring opportunities and embracing risk: Navya’s journey from Waterloo grad to AI innovator

Navya’s (he/him) post-Waterloo journey has been both exciting and unexpected. After graduating in 2023, he found himself in a world where he had full control over his career. The transition from university’s structured semesters to the complete autonomy of being out on your own was both daunting and exciting. 

For Navya, graduation was a time to take risks and explore new opportunities. He believes that being young is the perfect time to embrace challenges and take chances in your career, “it’s a low-risk, high-reward period of life”.  

Reflecting on his own experience, Navya advises first-year students to shift their focus away from chasing the most prestigious co-op positions and instead prioritize building technical skills that will pave the way for long-term success. He also recommends getting involved in undergraduate research opportunities, which he sees as underrated and extremely valuable for furthering learning and building connections. Many of his friends who pursued these opportunities ended up pursuing PhDs with the professors they worked with. 

Navya also credits Waterloo for giving him the foundation he needed. He was actively involved in a variety of student organizations, including the Waterloo Business Review and mentoring for Hack the North, which allowed him to explore his interests in tech and business. He also took on academically rigorous courses that really prepared him for the challenges ahead. His time at Waterloo helped him build lasting relationships and he continues to work with many of the people he met here to this day. 

Looking back, Navya is thankful for his time at Waterloo, not just for the academics but for the city’s vibrant student life. His career working at EnCharge AI in AI semiconductor design excites him every day. His story shows that university is a time to explore, experiment, and take advantage of all the amazing opportunities at your fingertips. 

From co-op to co-founder: How Aileen's Waterloo experience shaped her entrepreneurial journey

One of the things Aileen (she/her) values most about her time at Waterloo is the co-op program. It was a huge factor in shaping her career after her graduation in 2021. Through co-op, Aileen got hands-on experience in different industries, work environments, and roles, from both the private and public sector. It gave her the chance to figure out what she truly wanted to do. She believes co-op helped her understand not just the work itself, but the kind of work culture where she thrived, which is something you can’t get from a classroom. 

For recent grads, Aileen's advice is simple: take your time. It’s okay to not have everything figured out right away. There’s a lot of pressure to jump into a job, but, if possible, take a few months to enjoy your life. Travel, start a new hobby, take a risk — this is the only time in life where you’ll be able to do so, so freely.  

Aileen encourages students to make the most of their time at Waterloo by putting themselves out there. She suggests reaching out to industry professionals for casual chats, saying most people are happy to help students these days. She also recommends getting involved in clubs, side projects, or anything that sparks your interest because those experiences can really help when it’s time to land your first job. 

Today, Aileen is the co-founder of BeBlended, an online marketplace that connects people with freelance hairstylists and braiders who specialize in afro-curly hair textures. She began her entrepreneurial journey during her undergrad, and the resources at Waterloo played a key role in her success. Aileen went on to complete the Master of Business, Entrepreneurship, and Technology (MBET) program at Waterloo, which gave her the skills, network, and confidence to launch her own business.  

Starting her company has been both exciting and challenging, and she’s proud of the team she’s built and the progress she’s made. Looking back, Aileen sees everything coming full circle, from her co-op experiences at Waterloo to her current entrepreneurial journey. She’s grateful for the foundation Waterloo gave her and is excited about the future. 

From co-op to change-maker: Michelle’s post-graduation journey in sustainability and social impact

Michelle (she/they) found their first-year post-graduation was full of excitement and challenges. The biggest surprise was realizing that her decisions now have real-world consequences. With newfound freedom comes responsibility — especially in choosing career paths and life decisions. 

She credits Waterloo’s co-op program for preparing her for the workforce by providing real-world experience across a variety of sectors. Through experiences like being a communications assistant for a member of parliament and a policy intern at the Ontario Ministry of Children, community, and social services, Michelle gained a strong foundation in government and public policy. These co-op experiences helped them build confidence for job interviews and made the transition after their graduation in 2024 much smoother. Today, Michelle is the research and campus strategy co-lead at re-generation, where she continues to apply her skills, leading sustainability initiatives and furthering her passion for creating change.  

Michelle advises new grads to embrace flexibility and take their time figuring out their career paths. The pandemic shifted many career trajectories, and the modern job market allows for unconventional paths, whether it’s traveling or starting a business. They encourage graduates to focus on growth and exploration during this transitional period. 

For current students, Michelle recommends getting involved in extracurriculars, which helped her develop transferable skills like leadership and teamwork. Networking is also key, but with an emphasis on building genuine relationships, not just seeking job opportunities.  

Now, Michelle enjoys the flexibility of life after graduation, working remotely for a nonprofit and taking time to travel. She values the relationships she built at Waterloo and is grateful for the opportunities the University provided. Looking ahead, Michelle is focused on exploring new possibilities while taking ownership of her future. 

Launching a career in finance: How Aishwarya’s Waterloo experience prepared him for Deloitte

For Aishwarya (he/him), life after graduating from Waterloo in 2023 has been all about growth — both professionally and personally. He is currently working in financial modeling at Deloitte and credits Waterloo’s co-op program for giving him the real-world experience that helped him break into the industry. Through his co-op terms and courses, he built strong technical and analytical skills that he uses every day in his role. 

Looking back, Aishwarya’s biggest advice to students is to prioritize skill-building over chasing prestigious titles during co-op. “Focus on gaining technical experience that will actually help you in your career”. During his own co-op terms, he took on projects that involved data analysis and statistical modeling, experiences that directly prepared him for his current job. 

He also encourages students to start networking early, but with the right mindset. “Don’t just connect for job opportunities, build real relationships. People are more willing to help students than you’d expect,” he shares. Aishwarya found that reaching out to alumni and industry professionals for advice, not just favours, opened doors and gave him valuable career insights. 

Moving to Toronto after graduation, Aishwarya discovered how powerful the Waterloo network could be. Whether meeting alumni at Deloitte or bumping into fellow grads around the city, he found that sharing the Waterloo experience was an instant connection. 

Lastly, he stresses the importance of exploring opportunities outside the classroom. At Waterloo, he built leadership skills through extracurriculars and expanded his technical knowledge with side projects, both of which helped him stand out in job interviews. For Aishwarya, Waterloo wasn’t just where he earned a degree, it’s where he built the foundation for his career and learned what really matters for success. 
 

We first met Manal, Nathaniel, Navya, Aileen, Michelle, and Aishwarya when they shared their early experiences in What’s first year like at Waterloo? Now, we've caught up with them again, and it’s clear how far they’ve come. From co-op placements to unexpected passions and lifelong connections, each of them proves that life after Waterloo is full of surprises and opportunities. Their stories are a reminder that there’s no one-size-fits-all path after graduation, and often, the most exciting parts of the journey begin when you take a leap and follow your own direction. Waterloo wasn’t just their starting point, it was their launchpad.