Women’s History Month feature: A conversation with TMU graduates

In celebration of Women's History Month, we are thrilled to spotlight the achievements of international women-identifying alumni from TMU. Through an insightful interview with four graduates – Adeeba Rahman, Anne Li, Somin Park and Marcela Jimenez –  we learn about their unique experiences, challenges, achievements and successes. Let’s dive into the impact they made during their time at TMU as well as their journey after graduation.

Where are you from and what inspired you to choose Toronto Metropolitan University to pursue your education?

Adeeba 
I’m from Bangladesh and I chose to study Biomedical Sciences at Toronto Metropolitan University because of its location in downtown Toronto. Toronto is a multicultural city and seeing people from my cultural background almost 13,000 km from Bangladesh made me feel at home. 

Anne
I’m from India and I chose to study Computer Engineering at TMU because of the wide range of programs and courses offered here. The university's location is in downtown Toronto, which is a perfect location for a newcomer who wants to explore the vibrant city and food.

Somin 
I’m from South Korea and I studied Hospitality and Tourism Management at the Ted Rogers School of Management. Funnily enough, a YouTuber who goes to TMU inspired me to learn more about the university. From there, I became super interested in living in Toronto and going to TMU!

Marcela 
I’m from Mexico and I pursued a Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering at TMU. I've always harboured a desire to study abroad, and when I explored my options, Canada seemed like the perfect fit. Toronto Metropolitan University stood out due to its sterling reputation, particularly within Engineering.

What was it like being an international student at TMU?

Adeeba 
It was amazing. There is a huge international student community at TMU, and I always felt at home. I joined student groups and clubs that helped me make new friends and find new opportunities of interest both personally and professionally. 

Anne 
Adjusting to a new academic and social environment and dealing with homesickness are some common challenges I experienced. TMU offers various support services for international students, including orientation, academic advising, and cultural events, to help ease the transition to studying abroad. 

Somin
Honestly, I thought it was going to be intimidating and difficult to navigate, however, it was great! I was able to resonate with many international students and their hardships living outside of their home country as well and was able to support them by working at International Student Support (ISS) during my undergraduate studies. 

How did TMU support and empower you in pursuing your professional goals?

Adeeba
I joined the Tri-Mentoring Program (TMP) which helped me have a friend and peer who was in the upper year of my program. They helped me select my classes, gave me tips to stay on top of my academics, and shared volunteer opportunities on and off campus. Additionally, I was an active member of a student group called World University Services of Canada (WUSC) which helps students from refugee backgrounds transition into Canada and TMU. I also held student roles at the International Student Support (ISS) office as a Faculty Mentor and as a cultural ambassador. These volunteer and work opportunities on campus helped me gain time management, event planning and team-building skills. 

Marcela
The International Student Support (ISS) office provided me with invaluable support through programs like Job Search, and the Career, Co-op & Student Success Centre assisted me with job hunting and tailoring my resume and interview skills to the Canadian job market. 

Anne
There were plenty of resources I had at TMU that empowered me, most notably the Career, Co-op & Student Success Centre and International Student Support (ISS). At the Career, Co-op & Student Success Centre I developed job search strategies and connected with potential employers. I attended career counselling sessions, resume and cover letter writing workshops, mock interviews and networking events. Thanks to ISS, I benefited from support services including immigration advising, visa assistance and cultural adjustment support. 

What advice would you give to international students thinking of applying to Toronto Metropolitan University?

Adeeba
I would proudly say you should definitely apply! TMU offers so many resources relevant to international students. As a downtown Toronto university, it has its perks with many touristy spots, international cuisine and most importantly people from all over the world which is amazing to have as a newcomer.

Somin
I would say if you want to have the best experience of your life, join TMU! TMU provided me with so many academic and professional opportunities and I cannot thank the university enough. 

Can you walk us through your career journey since graduating from TMU?

Adeeba
After graduation, I started a full-time position as a clinical research associate at UCLA Health where we are doing breast cancer clinical trials. I am also pursuing a Master’s Degree in Health Delivery Science at the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. 

Anne
I landed my first job after graduation as a software developer at a technology company. In this role, I gained hands-on experience in software development and built my technical skills and understanding of programming languages, frameworks, and development tools. As I gained more experience and expertise, I took on more challenging projects and responsibilities and moved to different teams to work on new projects.

Somin
I graduated from TMU in 2023 and have since been at the International Language Academy of Canada as a Student Services Specialist. It has been a journey full of learning as I navigate my first ‘big girl’ job but I am starting to adapt to it better! 

Marcela
Following graduation, I secured an internship at a medical imaging company, which eventually led to a full-time position as a Business Operations and Quality Associate. In this role, I collaborate on implementing quality management systems. 

Reflecting on your time at TMU, what experiences or lessons do you feel were most impactful in shaping your career path?

Anne
Every experience, whether hands-on projects, academic coursework or work experience, played a significant role in shaping my career trajectory. It's the accumulation of these small victories and milestones that have led me to my current position.

Somin
I was lucky to work in various departments at TMU. Every on-campus job I had from Teaching Assistant to Student Support Assistant was so impactful. I would love to come back to TMU as a full-time employee in the future! 

In what ways do you think TMU fosters an environment that supports women’s success?

Anne
One particular memory was attending the Women in Engineering Conference hosted by the TMU Women in Engineering (WiE) (external link)  student group. The conference provided a supportive community and resources tailored to the needs of women pursuing STEM fields. It offered networking opportunities, mentorship programs, and workshops focused on topics such as career development, leadership skills, and overcoming gender barriers in male-dominated industries.

Somin
Knowing that there were various events on campus at TMU regarding women’s empowerment and furthering women’s careers helped me a lot. I also had women mentors around me who supported me as I navigated my career.

Marcela
In my experience, TMU provided a nurturing environment for women's success. Almost all my mentors at the university were women who consistently demonstrated openness and willingness to guide and support me throughout my academic journey. 

Can you share a moment or accomplishment in your career that you're particularly proud of?

Adeeba
My proudest moment thus far was getting promoted to Data Manager after starting as a research assistant at UCLA Health within four months! I wanted to work at a university after graduating and getting an opportunity to be part of one of the best institutions for medicine in the United States is great.

Anne
I am passionate about contributing my technical skills to causes I deeply care about, such as Toronto Nature Stewards and zero waste initiatives. By leveraging my expertise in software engineering, I can help improve digital platforms that support environmental conservation efforts and promote sustainable practices. It is rewarding to be able to use my technical skills to make a positive impact, fostering a greener and more sustainable future for Toronto and my neighbourhood.

Marcela
Overcoming imposter syndrome and earning recognition within the company stands out as a significant accomplishment. It reaffirmed my capabilities and solidified my position within the organization.

Somin
I’m proud of my work at International Student Support at TMU, in particular when I helped students going through difficult situations and was able to respond to emergencies.

What advice would you offer to young women aspiring to enter your profession or field of study?

Adeeba
Be proactive with your goals. If you have an idea of what you want to do with your degree, great. And if you don't, that’s okay too! I would encourage you to try out volunteering positions to find your interests. What matters is your passion and enthusiasm for a particular field of work. Multiple disciplines are getting blended to create new job titles and it is exciting to see these roles. I wish the very best to the current and future women in STEM at TMU.

Anne
My advice – as cliché as it sounds – is to always believe in yourself, pursue your passions, and be resilient in overcoming challenges. Seek mentorship, embrace lifelong learning, and build your network to expand your opportunities and connections. Stay true to yourself, embrace your uniqueness, and pay it forward by supporting others along the same path!

How do you see the workplace changing for women in your industry, and what role do you hope to play in that transformation?

Adeeba
A lot of sectors in healthcare such as nursing and pharmaceutical services are already or becoming female-dominated. I hope to see more women in surgical medicine and healthcare academia. 

Anne
I envision more women occupying key roles in tech companies and leading innovative projects. By making my own contributions to societal progress, I aim to play an active role in driving positive change in my workplace and beyond.

Somin
I think it is becoming more and more common to see more women than men workers in the communications and customer service industry, which is great! I would like to show that women can break boundaries. 

Marcela
Witnessing women in leadership roles serves as a powerful testament to the potential for gender equality and progress in the workplace. I aspire to emulate their success and contribute to creating a more inclusive environment for women in the industry.