Archives

Michael Proulx

Michael Proulx

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBA 2013 Woodsworth College
Inside the Classroom

Outside the Classroom

  • Several Clubs (Objectivist, Consulting)
  • American Studies Students Society
  • Volunteered at the AGO
  • Goalkeeper for masters program’s soccer team
  • Traveled to Switzerland with a peacebuilding NGO for 2.5 months
Further Education

  • Master of Global Affairs, Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto, 2016. Focused on global markets and institutions.
Career Accomplishments

  • Started a consulting business based on master’s thesis

“Don’t sweat the small stuff – do the work and grades follow. Take every chance to discuss your grades – even good ones – on how you may have done better.”

Akanksha Ganguly

Akanksha Ganguly

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBSc 2013 Woodsworth College
Inside the Classroom

Switched programs from: Cell and Systems Biology

Alongside the Classroom

Outside the Classroom

Further Education

Career Accomplishments

In the Media

“Life might seem stressful and uncertain sometimes, but it’ll be okay. It’s hard not to compare yourself to others sometimes, especially those who might seem to be doing better academically, socially, etc. But know that you and your journey is different. You have your own amazing strengths to offer this world, so focus on trying to figure out what those strengths and passions are and let that be your guide.”

Pamela Uppal

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBA 2012 Woodsworth College
Inside the Classroom

Switched programs from: History, Spanish

Outside the Classroom

Further Education

Career Accomplishments

  • Over the past 10 years, Pamela has been connecting theory with practice, engaging on three fronts: research initiatives, front-line work, and policy dialogues. She led a nonprofit organization at UofT, was a frontline worker in family services, built diversity, equity and inclusion capacity in Peel region, and undertook multiple research projects exploring gender issues in the South Asian community. Currently, she is leading a project at The Ontario Nonprofit Network exploring women’s employment experiences in the nonprofit sector. Pamela is also a group facilitator and a board member of Laadliyan.

“Network more with professors and be involved in a variety of extra-curriculars.

 

Nick Shah

Nick Shah

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBSc 2001 Innis College
Inside the Classroom

Outside the Classroom

  • Innis Residence staff
  • Intramural rugby
  • Charity work
  • Hypothesis journal
Further Education

  • PhD, Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, 2008
Career Accomplishments

  • Postdoctoral Fellow, Stanford University: molecular neuroscience
  • Scientist, Flexus Biosciences: working to discover new cancer therapies
  • Scientist & Team Lead, FLX Bio: working to discover and develop new cancer therapies
  • Senior Scientist, DiCE Molecules: working to leverage novel technology to discover new therapies

“Enjoy being a student and living in Toronto. It’s a fantastic city and school and since I’ve moved away I miss it a lot. Don’t be afraid to try courses that aren’t on your critical path to a major, you’ll meet great people and learn something about a new topic or about yourself. Have fun, and try not to stress yourself out!

 

Vanessa Bart-Plange

Vanessa Bart-Plange

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBA 2017 New College
Inside the Classroom

Alongside the Classroom

Outside the Classroom

Further Education

Career Accomplishments

New College Impact

The minor in African Studies offered at New College complemented my International Relations and Political Science majors perfectly, thus allowing me to have the African focus that was absent in both of my majors. In retrospect, this has contributed to my interest in public policy and education in Africa during my master’s program.

The New College Writing Centre was also key in my academic development, as it helped me learn how to write academic essays, which led to A-grade averages throughout the four years.

Being a part of this multicultural college also allowed me to fit in and make friends from both home and other countries, thus allowing me to settle in better and faster in Toronto within my first year, and to create long-lasting relationships till today.

“Strive to be among the best, if not the best, in everything that you do. Do not compete with any other person but yourself. And while you are at it, make sure to enjoy yourself and your relationships, because time flies by.

 

Nana Yaa Abrafi

Nana Yaa Abrafi Boa-Amponsem

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBA 2017 New College
Inside the Classroom

Outside the Classroom

  • Peer mentor, Economics
  • Peer mentor, New College Residence
  • Presented speech on behalf of the student body, Nelson Mandela Memorial Service, University of Toronto
  • Student panelist, University of Toronto yearbook redesign
  • Student representative and Gonfalon Bearer, Installation Ceremony of President Meric Gertler
  • Tutor and mentor for a secondary school female student living with a learning disability
  • Tutor, Math and English, Centre for Community Partnerships
Further Education

Career Accomplishments

New College Impact

New College played an instrumental role in my academic and leadership excellence. Firstly, my New College Registrars immensely supported me through course selection, deciding on my majors, and post-graduation plans. Moreover, the Equity Studies program of New College was the best option as a second major since it gave me a real-world perspective on Economics. Through this course, I was able to identify my interest in public policy and social justice. In my final year, New College awarded me with a scholarship for academic excellence, and also afforded me the opportunity to meet President Meric Gertler at a special New College Dinner.

Furthermore, New College organized various leadership training programs which were very essential to my success as a student leader at U of T. I partook in various floor and house activities that improved my teamwork skills. In my final year, I was given a priceless opportunity to serve as a Residence Peer Mentor where I provided assistance to residents in areas such as Academic Success, Career Preparedness, Mental Health and Wellness. I acquired a lot of great skills and knowledge in this position.

“Balance is extremely important. Get involved in the things you love. Take care of your mental health. Study hard but don’t forget to also learn. And keep God first in all you do.

 

Carol Nash

Carol Nash

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBA 1980 University College
Inside the Classroom

Switched programs from:

Outside the Classroom

Further Education

  • PhD, Philosophy of Education, University of Toronto, 1989
  • MA, Philosophy of Education, University of Toronto, 1984
  • BEd, Secondary Education, Business Studies, University of Toronto, 1981
Career Description

“Believe in your dreams.
Do what you love.
Take opportunities as they come.
Concentrate hard when you work.
Think about who you were, who you are now and who you want to become.
Check your work many times with fresh eyes.”

 

Ruolun “Roland” Xing

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBA 2010 University College
Inside the Classroom

Alongside the Classroom

  • Summer School in Siena, Italy; Tours, France; Berlin, Germany; and Jerusalem, Israel
Outside the Classroom

  • Volunteered at various student activities
  • Model UN
  • Volunteer at the Royal Ontario Museum as a program coordinator
  • Volunteer at the NGO “Ten Thousand Villages”
Further Education

  • MBA, China Europe International Business School
Career Description

  • Graduated from University and went back to China for as a salesperson for a pharmaceutical company in Beijing, China
  • After two years of sales, responsible for annual sales of $130 million USD in 2012 and a team of 500 salespersons
  • Worked at Novartis AG, a Swiss pharmaceutical company, while studying for MBA
  • Joined Baxter International, an American medical device company, through various positions and locations: Country marketing in Shanghai, China; global business portfolio management in Chicago, USA; and Asia-Pac marketing in Singapore.
“Broaden the scope of your academic and personal development as much as possible while at school.”

 

Jaclyn Marcil

Jaclyn Marcil

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBSc 2016 University College
Inside the Classroom

Switched programs from:

Outside the Classroom

  • Math mentorship program
  • Hot Yam Sustainable Food Collective
  • Freelance tutor
  • Began working at a tutoring franchise and as a teaching assistant in the math department in 2015
Career Description

  • Worked at a math learning centre
  • Currently working as an in-home and online tutor in Vancouver, BC
“Even though it can seem overwhelming, try to plan for life after graduation.
It’s OK to drop a course if you deem it necessary, especially if you’re stuck with a bad prof (yes, they even exist at U of T!).
If you are taking a course outside of your comfort zone, get to know the prof and express your concerns.
Take things one step at a time.”

 

Sarah Forward

FacetDescription
Graduation Year

  • HBSc 2015 University College
Inside the Classroom

Switched programs from:

Outside the Classroom

Further Education

Career Description

  • Worked at Theralase Technologies Inc. full time from May-July after graduation, before beginning her MSc.
  • Began working in Cambridge, MA, USA, in the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School as a research technician after hearing about the job opportunity from networking at a conference. Responsible for helping students with experimental setups, tissue culture, rodent surgeries, microscopy, data processing, programming, optical waveguide fabrication, paper reviewing/editing, and many other diverse tasks.
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions and for help when you need it!”