Happy Holidays from the Faculty of Environment: Continuing the tradition, the Faculty of Environment has produced a holiday video for 2013, wherein its newest seasonal transdisciplinary research efforts are highlighted.

Back to top

Teddy bear drive to benefit St. Mary's Hospital

A few of Santa’s Elves are residing on the 4th floor of EV3 in the School of Environment, Enterprise, and Development (SEED), and those elves are collecting teddy bears.

The staff and faculty at SEED are focusing on a special Christmas charity event this year.

From now until Friday, December 13, they are collecting teddy bears that will be donated to St Mary’s Hospital: The Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Centre (SADVC).

If you would like to join Santa’s Elves at SEED, please donate a new bear, about 8 to 10 inches in size. The bears will be delivered to Casey Cruickshank, SADVC Director. For more information, please contact Marion Brown (ext. 38540) or Katherine MacLean (ext. 38189).

"Every donor will receive a candy cane, a huge Elfish smile, plus the inner glow that only comes with the gift of generosity," writes Katherine MacLean.

Photograph by Cheri Oestreich.

Back to top

Enterprise co-op award winners talk shop

by Lenore Ramirez.

This past term, the Norman Esch and E-Launch awards were given to Enterprise Co-op (E Co-op) students who pitched their startups for a chance to win $4000 scholarships to be used towards their businesses. The Co-operative Education and Career Action Centre (CECA) would like to congratulate all of the winners.

Here's what Aleks Poldma & Spencer Kelly of Hydrated World (HW), Michal Ulman of uIntuition (UI), and Peter Sobot of Appstruments (AS) had to say about winning a Norman Esch scholarship:

What motivated you to participate in the Norman Esch award? What was your reaction when you found out you won?

HW: We were very excited about winning, not only because of the significant financial contribution, but also because successful entrepreneurs (the judging panel) had faith in our venture. This gave us a lot of confidence to move forward.

UI: I wanted to gain the resources that uWaterloo offers to start-ups, including mentoring, pitch practicing opportunities, as well as getting feedback on my business idea.

AS: I was motivated to participate in the Norman Esch award by the E Co-op team during E-Launch week in early September.

Why did you opt to go for an E Co-op term versus a regular co-op term?

HW: The E Co-op program was a great way to learn about business, and also to expand  our network. We understood that it would be a financial risk to do E Co-op, compared to the traditional co-op employment, however, the learning and experiences would be of greater value to us.

UI: We’ve been running uIntuition throughout the study term and believe that this is a business idea that has great potential to be successful. While we're still in our infancy, we're at a stage where we either make it or we don't, and I believe the best idea was to opt for an E Co-op work term to dedicate all of our time to making the company a success!

AS: While my previous terms were amazingly valuable, I always found myself working on my own ideas when not at my work term or in class. For my final co-op term, I decided to take the opportunity to pursue my side-projects full time, rather than working for another co-op employer.

What do you think is the biggest difference between a regular co-op and an E Co-op work term?

HW: The lack of rigidity and structure to your schedule and your business opportunities. There is no one standing over you at all times, but there are countless resources available to you.

UI: The biggest difference is that you absolutely need to be self-driven and self-motivated, since your success solely depends on you.

AS:  With no “boss” to answer to, E Co-op requires you to motivate yourself - which could be incredibly difficult for many students.

How have you changed during your time in E Co-op, compared to previous co-op work terms, when it comes to your character and work ethic?

HW: We have both always worked extremely hard at every co-op work term that we've had, however, when it is your venture and your brand, you are more passionate about everything you do. You become involved with every aspect of your business, not just one specific job or task.

UI: I have learned that I only get paid for work that I actually do, which has greatly improved my work ethic. I can’t imagine having a "lazy-day" where I don't do anything aside from making a cup of coffee.

AS: I’ve been way more productive than I thought was possible while on E Co-op. The fact that I’m working for myself and working on what I’m passionate about has helped drive me to work harder than I’ve ever worked before.

What advice would you give to someone who might wish to pursue E Co-op?

HW: Definitely do it. The people, the resources, and the opportunities are endless. We have learned more about ourselves and the business world in this co-op term than in all of our previous terms combined.

UI: Keep a log of everything you accomplished. By the fourth month, you won't remember everything you did in the first month, and you'll feel like you could have done more. By keeping a log, you're able to look back and be proud of everything you accomplished. 

AS: Make sure that you have the self-motivation and passion to follow through with an E Co-op work term. Like all entrepreneurial ventures, E Co-op will have its high points and its low points - and it takes a lot of hard work to make your term successful.

Do you have any additional thoughts on your E Co-op experience?

AS: E Co-op allowed me to “try out” full-time entrepreneurship for four months, and the Norman Esch award helped with that immensely by providing funding to get me started. Without E Co-op, I wouldn’t have known if I would enjoy (or be able to handle) full-time entrepreneurship. Thanks to E Co-op, I’m now considering starting a start-up after I graduate.

Back to top

Winter 2014 fee payment deadline tomorrow

The due date for students to become "Fees Arranged" for the Winter 2014 term is tomorrow, December 12.

There are two ways to become Fees Arranged. The first is by paying in full, either by bank payment, international wire transfer or Western Union transfer; or by a certified cheque, money order or bank draft originating from a Canadian or US bank.

The second is by signing the Promissory Note which became available in the Finances section on Quest as of November 20.

Finance-Student Accounts would like to remind students that their ability to access their course materials on the LEARN system may be affected if they are not Fees Arranged. A student's registered status is available on Quest's Account Inquiry page.

Back to top