What are your main responsibilities or activities in your current position?
As the Director of Technical Projects at Reliance Financial Services, my primary responsibilities involve managing two major projects that will significantly expand our Fintech capabilities and further integrate technology across our services. Alongside project management, I also focus on building strategic partnerships with clients and companies in the mining and manufacturing sectors, leveraging my network to foster growth and create new collaboration opportunities for the company.
How does your current work relate to your graduate degree?
While there isn’t extensive technical overlap between my graduate studies and my current role, several key skills I developed in graduate school are invaluable in my work today. First, project management, planning, and time management have been essential, especially as I oversee multiple complex projects. Second, creative problem-solving and innovation play a major role in my work, as my projects focus on addressing industry pain points through new solutions—mirroring the problem-solving essence of research, though applied in different contexts. Lastly, the detailed technical writing skills I honed in graduate school are crucial when I develop project scopes and outline technical requirements, ensuring transparency and clarity for all stakeholders involved.
What do you like and what do you find challenging about your current position?
The most challenging aspect of my current position is seeing the extensive amount of work that needs to be done and having the patience to accomplish it all with a small team. This has taught me the importance of prioritization and effective delegation, as well as the need to set realistic, phased goals to achieve meaningful progress over time. On the other hand, what I enjoy most is the freedom to think creatively and the endless opportunities for innovation. Many of the challenges align perfectly with my strengths, particularly in process automation and optimization, as well as data analysis and organization, which are instrumental in delivering better services—an area still developing in this field. If I could approach things differently, I would invest in creating a more structured roadmap from the start, balancing ambitious targets with the resources we currently have, to keep our progress steady and focused.
Is your current career path as you originally intended?:
Not in the slightest. I originally intended to have a career that spanned many decades in my chosen technical field. Instead, I had a rewarding decade-long career that offered me incredible experiences and growth. Over time, I realized I was craving more flexibility and autonomy—the freedom to shape my own path and bring my ideas to life. So now, I’m taking a leap of faith, grounded in confidence in my abilities. I’ve been fortunate to have mentors who believed in my potential and constantly reminded me that I could accomplish anything I set my mind to. Their encouragement has become my inner voice, guiding me as I embrace this new direction.
What motivated you to pursue graduate work at UBC?
My path to graduate work at UBC unfolded naturally, driven by my interests as they evolved during my undergraduate studies. In UBC's first-year engineering program, I was exposed to a range of engineering disciplines, and materials engineering quickly stood out to me. Once in the program, I found myself drawn to chemistry and thermodynamics-based courses and design projects, which deepened my curiosity. By the end of my fourth year, I realized that my questions about the field were expanding, sparking my interest in graduate school. I was especially inspired by one professor whose expertise and ability to convey complex knowledge were remarkable. His research focus aligned with my own, and I was eager to work on a project with real-world applications, as the business side of engineering—making ideas profitable—had always intrigued me. Through the support of other mentors, I was able to secure a graduate project backed by a business, offering both practical impact and academic challenge. So, I decided to pursue it.
What did you enjoy the most about your time as a graduate student at UBC?
What I enjoyed most about my time as a graduate student at UBC was the combination of a truly engaging project and the camaraderie that surrounded it. I was fortunate to be part of a supportive program, work closely with a great team of students under my professor’s guidance, and collaborate in a lab at the industry sponsor's facility. The friendships and connections I built along the way have been invaluable, and many have become lifelong friends. This strong sense of community made the experience especially meaningful.
How did the graduate degree at UBC help you achieve your career and/or personal development goals?:
My graduate degree from UBC played a pivotal role in helping me achieve my career and personal development goals. Right after graduation, I landed a fantastic role at a large gold mining company, working onsite—a true dream job that aligned perfectly with my degree, my strengths, and my interests. This experience led to five fulfilling years in onsite roles that allowed me to grow professionally and deeply enjoy my work. I only left when I was ready to start a family, as the mining town wasn’t ideal for raising young children. The career foundation I built post-grad school enabled me to achieve many of my goals, from advancing in my chosen field to enjoying a fulfilling lifestyle, traveling extensively, and saving enough to take two years off when my son was born. These experiences, along with the financial freedom they provided, have now empowered me to pivot confidently toward this new career path.
What key things did you do, or what attitudes or approaches did you have, that contributed to your success?
I attribute much of my career success to the meaningful connections I built within the industry and the opportunities that arose from them. I’ve been fortunate to have mentors and colleagues who believed in my potential and opened doors that might not have been accessible otherwise. While I always worked hard and gave my best to every opportunity that came my way, I believe my openness to learning from others and my commitment to building genuine relationships were instrumental in helping me reach where I am today.
What is your best piece of advice for current graduate students preparing for their future careers?
My best advice for current graduate students is to focus on "working hard" in a way that’s efficient and meaningful, ensuring real benefits come from your efforts. It’s not just about the time you put in but about working smartly—prioritizing tasks, finding effective solutions, and making sure each step you take adds real value. When you work with purpose and aim for impact, you’re not only more productive but also more likely to create lasting, meaningful results in your career.