Kimberly Bialik (known as Kimber around campus) is a fourth year Arts student originally from London, Ontario. She is completing Joint Honours Components in Political Science and International Development Studies with a double minor in Sociology and Communications. As if that isn’t enough, she’s currently an Interest Group Coordinator at SSMU, a Communications and Marketing Intern at the Foreign Workers Canada Immigration law firm, president of the International Development Studies Students Association (IDSSA) and president of the McGill Pre-Law Society (MPLS). She is ALSO president of two (not one, but two) volunteer initiatives: Beyond Me and Making Waves. As if it’s not enough that Kimber is basically superwoman, she is also an incredibly kind, humble and caring person.
Meghan Collie for Her Campus McGill (HC McGill): You are involved with several different departments here at McGill (Political Science, International Development, Sociology, and Communications). Which has been your favourite? Why?
Kimber Bialik (KB): […] Although each department has its merits, if I had to pick a favorite I would have to choose International Development. One of the most rewarding aspects of studying International Development at McGill is the interdisciplinary nature of the program. We study the topic from a wide variety of disciplines which provides students with a well rounded understanding of development and gives us access to a number of diverse perspectives, which is absent from the other departments I’m involved with.
HC McGill: You intend to pursue law school once you complete your undergraduate degree. Do you feel that the McGill Pre-Law Society gives undergraduate students with an interest in pursuing a career in law the right foundation? How so?
KB: […] Our focus is on preparing undergraduate students for law school, the law school application process, and a career in law, and we strive to build this foundation through all of our events and initiatives. For example, we provide opportunities for members to explore different types of law and gain an understanding of the type of career in law they hope to pursue, as well as providing the opportunity to develop more practical skills, including legal writing and editing, and oral advocacy, that will be incredibly valuable both as a law student and as a lawyer.
HC McGill: Beyond Me is a SSMU initiative providing one-on-one tutoring for children and teenagers with disabilities. How and when did you get involved with Beyond Me?
KB: I’ve been involved with Beyond Me since my first semester at McGill when I was seeking out an opportunity to get involved on campus. Having a background working with children with special needs, I was excited to find a club on campus that did just that! Beyond Me pairs volunteer mentors one-on-one with a child with a disability, and I found my relationship with my buddy incredibly rewarding, which encouraged me to get more involved in the club as an executive member in my second and subsequent years.
HC McGill: Making Waves is a volunteer program that provides affordable and accessible swimming instruction for children with special needs. How and when did you get involved with Making Waves?
MC: I’ve also been involved with Making Waves since my first semester at McGill. Because Making Waves is a national organization with chapters across Canada I had learned about Making Waves before I got to McGill and was exciting to get involved once I became a university student!
HC McGill: What does your average week look like? (More specifically, do you have any time for Netflix)?
KB: My typical week usually involves a crazy mix of classes, writing my thesis, working, interning, attending executive committee meetings, and attending and running events for my clubs and associations, which unfortunately doesn’t leave much time for Netflix (although I do save some time on Thursdays to watch the new episode of How to Get Away With Murder!).
HC McGill: What is one moment from your entire undergraduate degree that has stood out to you?
KB: This isn’t necessarily a single moment, but I’ve found the process of writing my undergraduate thesis this semester incredibly impactful because it’s helping me to determine what I want to do as a career. My topic is a combination of a number of my different research interests and includes aspects of development, governance, and disability advocacy. The process of researching and gaining an understanding of disability in the developing world and development projects and organizations that seek to mitigate the social stigma of living with an intellectual disability in the developing world led me to the realization that I would eventually like to pursue a career in international disability advocacy and support.
Speed Round!
Coffee or tea? Neither! (I don’t do caffeine)
English or French? English (although I wish I could speak French)
Movies or TV Shows? TV Shows
Club or bar? Bars
Poli Sci or IDS? IDS!
Criminal or Corporate law? Criminal Law
Mike Ross or Harvey Spector? Easy! Mike Ross!
Spring or Fall? Fall
Summer or Winter? Winter