Hana Al-Bannay
What are your main responsibilities or activities in your current position?
Teaching, student guidance, and research.
How does your current work relate to your graduate degree?
The courses I am teaching are related to my PhD training and thesis.
What do you like and what do you find challenging about your current position?
The model of the curriculum is set up by Ulster University, a Western design in a Middle Eastern academic culture.
Is your current career path as you originally intended?
Yes. I have a great interest and skills in research and academia and am fulfilling these in my current position. I look forward to future opportunities that fulfil my skills and interests in leadership.
What motivated you to pursue graduate work at UBC?
UBC is located in beautiful British Columbia and is a reputable institution. The PhD program I pursued was well related to my interests.
What did you enjoy the most about your time as a graduate student at UBC?
The network of and connections with students in the same program or those who lived close by on campus. I was a volunteer in student housing activities and interfaith groups. I was very active in social activities and faith events and had met with wonderful people from a variety of backgrounds.
What key things did you do, or what attitudes or approaches did you have, that contributed to your success?
I was very open and optimistic. I never gave up. I trusted myself and my skills and pursued my search believing that I would end up in the right place.
What is your best piece of advice for current graduate students preparing for their future careers?
Start looking early. Seek assistance from Career Counselling for your resume. Pick your referees carefully and make sure that they will provide you with all the support you need in your applications.
How did you find out about/obtain your current position?
I searched for job vacancies in all post-secondary academic institutions. They found my resume impressive with supportive recommendations from Dr. Lyn Jongbloed and Dr. Matthew Heinz.
What challenges did you face in your graduate degree, or in launching your career?
One of my references was not supporting me in my applications and she never shared that with me or confronted me with her personal beliefs about the limits of my career progress until I followed up with the recommendation she gave to employers. Once I excluded her name as reference, the doors opened wider for me.
How are jobs normally posted and filled in your organization or industry?
In the Middle East, one should submit her resume in person to guarantee its delivery to the right designation.