Ever wanted to hear firsthand what it’s like to be involved in multiple extracurricular activities and balance school at the same time? This week, learn more about the experiences of our campus profile on Alisha Bhanji.
We spoke to her about the fears of being so involved, advice for anyone who wants to get involved, as well as the amazing feelings and opportunities which come from being a part of so many big projects.
Name: Alisha Bhanji
Year: 3A
Program: Nanotechnology Engineering
So I believe you’re currently on your co-op term! What’s it like being a research intern at MIT and what exactly do you do?
It is AMAZING. I work in a soft matter lab and also at the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research. My work entails molecular dynamics simulations for nanoparticle fusion with cell membranes and I get to experiment with live cells based on the simulations!
Wow! That sounds intense! Have there been any challenges you’ve faced?
Challenges with the position included that I had never done molecular dynamics simulations before, so I’m still in the process of learned to code in 2 new languages. The people I am surrounded by here are all working on ground breaking research, so the environment is a mix of inspiring and intimidating which is amazing! The steep learning curve just means that I’ll know a lot more by the end of the four months than I did before ☺
So let’s get started. Could you tell me what exactly you’ve been involved in over the past 3 years?
Oh gosh there’s a lot, but here are a few of my favourites:
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Fashion for Change
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Waterloop
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UW_NRG → NanoRobotics
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WUNC → Waterloo Undergraduate Nanotechnology Conference
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Dance
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Soccer
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Smart Solutions
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Velocity
Well that’s quite a list you’ve got! What inspired you to become so involved within the University?
I grew up reading about Renaissance men: the Galileos and Leonardo Da Vincis. These were the individuals who studied and excelled in many fields and whose work is still used today. I try to embody their passion and curiosity, and appreciate the world we live in by living a full (and admittedly hectic) life. Also, there is just so much that I want to learn!
Since you’ve been a part of so many massive projects what do you think your biggest accomplishments are?
Haha.. weeeelllll…
I had always wanted to do really cool research at a place like MIT, and this year, I’m doing that on co-op! A lot of credit for applying and actually getting the position goes to the technical and social skills that I gained from extra-curricular activities.
You must have learned a lot from being a part of so many projects like Hyperloop and Fashion for Change, just to name a couple. Can you tell us about some of the lessons you’ve learned?
I have learned so much that I don’t think I could possibly list everything, but something that I’m really excited about having learnt was machining. I never imagined my petite self operating a lathe, drill press, or CNC machine mostly because I was, stereotypically, never exposed to the idea of something like that. That’s another thing about trying something new, you get to break past boundaries and impress yourself!
Alright, most importantly: How do you manage time when you’re a part of so many extracurricular activities while being in such a demanding program?
In terms of scheduling, I take it day by day. Sometimes knowing that you have a lot of work to do can be overwhelming, so I just pick the task that is most urgent or pick a few things that have to be done that day and try to check them off. Just remember to take breaks and actually enjoy the work!
Do you find there are any major differences from being involved in 3rd year as opposed to 1st year?
In 1st year, you tend to take on fewer roles of leadership because you think upper years have more experience. Sometimes that’s true, but since you only gain experience from trying things, you might as well go for those leadership roles and gain experience for yourself. In first year, I was the VP of External Affairs for Smart Solutions and got to help organize a small conference. In second year, I became one of the organizers of the inaugural Waterloo Undergraduate Nanotechnology Conference, which will host 200 people this year and welcomes speakers from top institutions around the world. Taking on a leadership position in first year provided me with the insights necessary to embark on bigger challenges later.
I’m really curious to know, was it scary at first to start all these things?
Trying something new is always unnerving at first, but if you remember that everyone was once new to everything, you can put things into perspective. Thinking about the skills and friendships I’ve gained along the way has overshadowed that fear, so now when I start new things, I’m less afraid.
Do you have any advice for people who want to start getting involved?
Jump in! There is so much to learn and gain from being involved. The opportunity to explore and delve into so many different and cool things, everything from building rockets to painting nails, is a once in a lifetime opportunity that university offers. Apart from that, it is the “2-minute ramen noodles” of university, as in that you get the chance to actually practice some of the things you’re learning. During the semester, you can literally write for a newspaper or help build a Hyperloop pod or work on the practical application of whatever it is that you are studying.
Quotes you live by?
“Just keep swimming” – Dory (Literally how to live life. Thanks Dory, ily)
But these 2 are good too:
“Indulge, a wet man does not fear the rain.” – Unknown
S.O.C.K.S → Spelling socks in english means “it is what it is” in Spanish → Eso si que es (that’s fun :p)