Alumni Success Stories – Current Grad Students https://gradstudents.carleton.ca Carleton University Fri, 18 Jan 2019 15:01:58 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.4.1 Carleton Alumni Lead the Way in Electrical and Computer Engineering Field https://gradstudents.carleton.ca/2019/carleton-alumni-lead-the-way-in-electrical-and-computer-engineering-field/ Fri, 18 Jan 2019 15:01:58 +0000 https://gradstudents.carleton.ca/?p=38070 —Written by Ty Burke

Electronics alumni from the Electrical and Computer Systems graduate program at Carleton University are pursuing exciting, innovative and diverse career paths.

Peter Popplewell

Peter in Smiths Falls

As Chief Technology Officer for Smiths Falls-based cannabis giant Canopy Growth, Peter Popplewell is engineering the electronics that will enable the cannabis consumption of the future.

The Carleton Electronics Engineering PhD joined the company in 2017, and has quickly built up an ever-growing team of nearly 20 engineers to develop hardware and software for the next generation of vaporizers.

“We’re bringing technology to cannabis in ways never before imagined, using Bluetooth, NFC, sensors, and the cloud,” Popplewell says.

“Our designs are uniquely focused on consumer safety and transparency, enabling you to lock the device so only you can use it, to verify details and authenticity of your payload, and numerous other features in a device that is certified as safe by Underwriter Laboratories.” ULC is an independent product safety testing, certification and inspection organization.

Illegal cannabis long operated in the shadows, and consumers typically didn’t know exactly what they were getting. Popplewell views transparency as one of the biggest benefits of his team’s work.

“Instead of buying a vaporizer pen from your local grey market dispensary, which has something that looks like oil — but could be honey or used motor oil, for all you know — when you buy a vaporizer from Canopy, and pair it with an app, you’ll know everything you could ever think to ask about that oil, and can breathe easy knowing that the tech in your hand won’t harm you. You can have a lot more confidence in what you put in your body.”

Winnie Ye

Winnie-Ye-image-1200wWinnie Ye’s photonics research could help to build consumer confidence in an entirely different emerging industry: automated vehicles.

“When you have an autonomous vehicle, it needs to ‘see’ like a human eye,” says Ye, a Carleton Electronics Engineering Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in nano-scale IC design for reliable opto-electronics and sensors.

Ye is aiming to improve LiDAR, a sensing technology used in automated vehicle development. LiDAR uses pulsed laser light to measure the distance to objects. Devices currently in use by companies like GM and Google are mounted to a vehicle’s rooftop and rotate mechanically to assess their surrounding environment such as road conditions, pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles. These systems depend on the unit’s rotation, and can only process the collected data off chip. Ye is working on a fixed sensor platform that can scan a wide range of a vehicle’s surroundings at once and can “attend to” objects of importance in the field of view allowing for high-resolution identification of critical items.

“My group is proposing to make it static,” says Ye, “basically a microchip fixed on the roof that doesn’t rotate as it scans. With no rotation, there are no loose parts, and it will expedite the scanning speed with an excellent scanning resolution. It ‘s more reliable and has a less power budget, and hopefully much cheaper than the commercially available ones. Our proposed LiDAR offers a flexible platform that integrates a sensor unit with an advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems to accommodate for randomness and uncertainty of real-time events.”

Norman Fong

Norman Fong in labThe dense urban environments that automated vehicles will need to ‘see’ and interpret have virtually endless features for LiDAR sensors to identify and categorize. Norman Fong’s workplace is almost exactly the opposite. It’s a white-walled, sanitized, static-free  semiconductor manufacturing cleanroom at the National Research Council (NRC) in Ottawa. There, Fong is building components for quantum computers.

Quantum information technology will play a huge role in the future of commercial communications and security applications. To exploit these quantum properties, devices require extremely precise design and fabrication, beyond that of conventional electronics.

To achieve this precision, Fong uses electron beam lithograhy– or e-beam litho for short. It’s a room-sized machine that focuses a beam of electrons that pattern nanometer sizedfeatures into the tiny quantum electronic devices.

Fong is new to making quantum computing components, but the micro-fabrication skills he developed while building integrated photonic sensors  during his Electronics Engineering PhD at Carleton are broadly similar to those he uses at the NRC.

“I’m making a different device but I’m still essentially using all of the training and knowledge that I got at Carleton,” Fong says.

“Quantum computing technologies are very different from integrated photonics, but there isn’t a huge gap between the techniques to make them.”

ECE Program

All of the above electronics alumni graduated with a PhD from Carleton’s Electrical and Computer Engineering program. The program is offered jointly by the Department of Electronics and the Department of Systems and Computer Engineering at Carleton. The ECE is also offered jointly with the University of Ottawa through the  Ottawa-Carleton Institute for Electrical and Computer Engineering.

For more information about students who graduated from the Department of Systems and Computer Engineering with a PhD in ECE, click here.

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PhD Alum Explains How a PhD Skillset is Useful in the Work World https://gradstudents.carleton.ca/2014/phd-alum-explains-phd-skillset-useful-work-world/ Fri, 09 May 2014 12:08:04 +0000 http://gradstudents.carleton.ca/?p=20121 This is the final article in our series on PhD alumni who are working outside academe. You can read other stories in our series by going to our Alumni Success Story archive.

John WallAs part of his duties as a Senior Policy Advisor at the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, PhD alumnus John Wall (Geography, 2011) has to assimilate a large amount of information, analyze it, explore the issues and considerations that it brings up, and develop options and recommendations for decision makers — often very quickly.

“If you take a step back from the specific details of your grad research to think about the organization, research, analysis, writing and communication skills that you use to succeed, you will find a very marketable set of skills,” notes Wall. “If you add some leadership or management experience as well, you have a great package to offer a potential employer.”

Wall originally decided to pursue a PhD because he felt that a PhD would give him more career options. It allowed him to pursue his research which studied the processes of co-existence between people and species-at-risk outside of protected areas.

He also enjoyed the experiential nature of the program. “I did my field work in the Bow Valley of Alberta, Ottawa Valley in Ontario and the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick, studying interactions between people and species-at-risk. All are beautiful places with amazing people and it was a real treat to spend time there. In Atlantic Canada, I spent most days on the water with whale watching tourists and fishermen which was pretty amazing.”

He also enjoyed working with his advisor, Iain Wallace. “He was very supportive. He was very generous with introducing me to scholars in the field and encouraging me to participate in the Canadian and American Association of Geographers, and he was good at helping me manage the process of research, writing and navigating the examinations, which was very helpful. Mike Brklacich was also very supportive, whether encouraging participation in conferences, supporting the student-run radio show that we ran while I was there, or encouraging participation in decision making.”

In 2011, Wall was accepted into a federal program called Recruitment of Policy Leaders which requires a graduate degree or a law degree as one of its criteria. As the program looks for academic excellence, national leadership experience, and policy-relevant expertise, his research work in environmental policy aided his application process.

Adds Wall: “I was also exposed to the public policy and affairs expertise that Carleton is known for which helped me be well-rounded and knowledgeable about the issues that my interviewers were interested in.”

Wall points out that grad students interested in the federal government might want to consider the Recruitment for Policy Leaders program competition, as well as the Post-Secondary Recruitment Program and Federal Student Work Experience Program which typically lead to entry level positions in the federal public service. He adds that, once you are employed, you will have an opportunity to apply for many other positions, many of them not posted to the general public.

Today, Wall leads a small team of policy analysts who help interpret and apply the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012. They support the people who conduct environmental assessments and review panels, and work on approaches to improve environmental assessment in Canada.

Says Wall: “I like that I am working on important public policy issues and making a positive difference.”

For current grad students, Wall has more tips on finding employment.

  • A PhD provides options for employment but it also narrows them – you can become overqualified! Academia is an obvious career path, but can be a steep and stony one in a time of changes in promotion and tenure, tough competition among graduates, and tightening budgets at universities. Industry is a great option if your field of study lends itself to commercialization. NGOs and government are looking for people with deep subject matter expertise but also with the abilities that you gain as a doctoral student.
  • Keeping your options open is important – if you have some teaching and publishing experience when you graduate, academia is a possibility. If you add some practical or applied research, connections with the NGO community or policy-relevant work, then you can tailor your skills for the public, private and NGO sector, which gives you more possible niches.
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“Preparation is Key” Says PhD Alum https://gradstudents.carleton.ca/2014/phd-alum-explains/ Thu, 17 Apr 2014 16:17:43 +0000 http://gradstudents.carleton.ca/?p=19969 This ongoing series is looking at PhD alumni who are doing non-academic jobs. Each person tells their story and provides tips on finding work in the non-academic sector. For other stories in this series, you can visit our Alumni Success Story archive.

Franklin OduroWhile completing his PhD in Political Science (2012) at Carleton, Franklin Oduro was already working as head of Research and Programs/Deputy Director for the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) in Accra, Ghana. “I have spent all my work life in the non-state sector, working for non-profit organizations. I enjoy what I do, and I feel I am contributing to a change in the way we govern ourselves in Ghana and Africa.”

As an organization dedicated to the promotion of democratic development in Ghana and Africa as a whole, CDD-Ghana sought someone with a higher degree in social science (in particular political science) to assist in managing its democracy promotion-related projects.

Oduro says: “I believe that the added knowledge capacity I had acquired from Carleton, the exposure I had gained while at Carleton (by way to attending academic conferences, socializing with colleagues from different parts of the world in a classroom setting, and the experience I have acquired in teaching, among others, had prepared me to respond to this call.”

The alumnus originally chose to pursue his PhD at Carleton, “because of its strong political science department/faculty and the department’s focus on theoretical understanding of public policy, public administration and comparative politics.”

The late Professor Edward Osei Kwadwo Prempeh was his first academic advisor. “He kept me on in the early stages and encouraged me to stay focused with my studies and assured me that I was no different from my other colleagues in the course/class, and that I will make it.”

Dr. Chris Brown was chair of his dissertation committee. “He was patient with me (even when I took up a job in the course of writing my dissertation), encouraged me to pursue my dissertation while working; challenged me to think deep on the focus of my dissertation, and what contributions I could make to academia. He pushed me to be more original in my thinking of what I wanted to research on. He did get me to move on during some of the most stressful moments in writing the dissertation.”

For his thesis, Oduro chose to investigate what informs countries in Africa to adopt truth and reconciliation commissions as a method to address gross violations of human rights. He wanted to understand why and how countries adopt this mechanism and not other options available to them and then draw lessons (good and bad) to inform decisions of new countries that were contemplating adopting this approach.

“I see my successful completion of the PhD studies as a great achievement in my life so far,” shares Oduro. “I belong to a family of nine and I am the first to receive a PhD education. I see this as an honour for myself and for my family.”

For current PhD students seeking employment outside academe, Oduro says: “Preparation is key!! Be prepared!, prepared!!, prepared!!! Know your field and your strength; be expert in one field/area than several. Combine a bit of practical/policy world while in school (of course when you are at stage of close to completing) to expose you to the working world.”

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Using Your PhD to Get Ahead https://gradstudents.carleton.ca/2014/using-phd-get-ahead/ https://gradstudents.carleton.ca/2014/using-phd-get-ahead/#comments Fri, 04 Apr 2014 18:50:31 +0000 http://gradstudents.carleton.ca/?p=19828 **This is part of our series on Carleton PhD alumni who are working in non-academic positions. You can read other stories in the series by going to our Alumni Success Story archive.  

Jenelle Power had an “incredible opportunity” while working at the Research Branch, National Headquarters, Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) to pursue research on self-injurious behaviour in women offenders, her thesis topic.

Power, who graduated with her PhD in Psychology from Carleton in 2011 says her PhD helped expedite her career.

“While it wasn’t required to start at the Research Branch, I believe it helped me become a Research Manager much more quickly. Working and completing my PhD simultaneously allowed me to gain a lot of knowledge and experience in a relatively short period of time, positioning me for promotions within my organization.”

She has held positions with the Research Branch ranging from Research Assistant, to Research Officer, Senior Research Officer, Research Manager, and now Special Advisor to the Director of Research.

As manager, she supervises researchers and is involved in all aspects of the research process. “Our mandate is to advance effective and efficient corrections towards the goals of crime prevention and public protection,” explains the alumna. “We also work with other sectors within CSC to determine how research can help in decision-making and policy development.”

Says Power: “I feel very lucky to have been able to conduct my research with the support of the Research Branch. I love working in an applied setting and getting to design projects that can solve real-world problems that affect the lives of offenders, CSC employees and the public. It is a challenging environment and I appreciate being able to do research and use my academic training in a government environment. I really enjoy being a public servant, as it provides so many interesting opportunities.”

Power also mentions that Prof. Shelley Brown, who was her Carleton supervisor, really pushed her to make her project and dissertation better. “She is incredibly bright, insightful, and supportive,” shares Power, “and I am a much better researcher due to her mentoring and the countless hours she spent giving feedback and thinking of ways to maximize my research.”

For current PhD students thinking about pursuing employment, Power says: “Show up! Go to any social events, public lectures, conference, etc. The best way to find out about opportunities is to have someone in the field let you know they are available. Be open-minded and take opportunities as they arise. Sometimes opportunities become available that are not what you envisioned or do not fit with your original plan, but can lead to a whole new world of career opportunities that you really enjoy.”

 

 

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Post-PhD Professionals – Pierre Luc Drouin https://gradstudents.carleton.ca/2014/post-phd-professionals-pierre-luc-drouin/ Mon, 24 Mar 2014 11:55:10 +0000 http://gradstudents.carleton.ca/?p=19679 *Part of our series on Carleton PhD alumni who are working in non-academic careers. You can read other stories in this series by going to our Alumni Success Story archive.

Pierre-Luc DrouinAs a research engineer for the Science and Engineering Directorate.at the Canada Border Services Agency, Pierre-Luc Drouin works on the evaluation, simulation, testing and monitoring of different detection technologies used to prevent unexpected radioactive material from crossing Canadian borders.

His current career is a natural progression from research he conducted as a master’s and doctoral student at Carleton in the Physics Department.

During his master’s and PhD programs, Drouin (PhD/12) worked at the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO) before it was turned into the permanent SNOLAB facility. Among other things, he worked on the statistical data analysis method that allows the measurement of numerous neutrinos of each flavour that interact with the SNO detector. Neutrinos are subatomic particles that can pass through ordinary matter with virtually no interaction. They are created, notably by the Sun, as the result of a chain of nuclear fusion reactions.

Eighteen months before he completed his PhD, Drouin started working full-time as a contractor at Defence Research and Development Canada in Ottawa. One of the projects he worked on involved the design and implementation of a Bayesian estimator used to measure the momentum of cosmic ray muons that are detected by the Cosmic Ray Inspection and Passive Tomography (CRIPT) device. CRIPT is an imaging system developed in partnership with Carleton University.

Says Drouin: “I would say that having the chance of working within a large collaboration of scientists during my PhD allowed me to develop a network that was certainly helpful to become aware of different work opportunities.”

For current PhD students who are thinking about employment, Drouin says: “In addition to the expertise acquired during graduate studies, it might be a good idea to emphasize any relevant experience you acquired elsewhere, including through hobbies. I did not have to do significant networking, but I made sure that the people in the field I knew well were aware that I was looking for a position.”

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From Carleton to Calgary – How an ECE PhD Helped One Alum Land a Job https://gradstudents.carleton.ca/2014/carleton-calgary-ece-phd-helped-one-alum-land-job/ Thu, 06 Mar 2014 00:04:02 +0000 http://gradstudents.carleton.ca/?p=19424 **Part of our ongoing series on Carleton PhD alumni who are working in non-academic careers. To read other stories in this series, visit our Alumni Success Story archives.

Laurence SmithLaurence Smith is a Real Time Energy Trader with Capital Power Corporation in Calgary, Alberta.

He says that his Carleton PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD/11) helped him get this job.

“Many of the mathematical problems I worked on during my PhD research are similar to problems energy traders encounter on a daily basis,” says Smith.

As part of his doctoral research, that investigated algorithms for solving large and complex mathematical programming problems, he learned to analyze large sets of data to find hidden trends and correlations in order to reach optimal solutions.

Smith also points out that his TAship helped improve his communication and organization skills, “which are also invaluable in a dynamic workplace such as a trading floor.”

In his current position, Smith’s main responsibility is to make economic decisions that optimize the daily operation of three gas-fired power plants in New England. He also buys and sells power throughout the five deregulated power markets in Ontario and the northeastern U.S.

Says Smith: “The challenging part is that the power is sold in a daily auction with lots of moving pieces (think of a complicated version of eBay) and we have to make the dispatch decisions before we know what the power prices are.”

During his first week on the job, Smith was put to the test as he needed to determine the impact of Hurricane Sandy on the markets. This was “tricky”, he added as “the hurricane affected both supply and demand – power plants tripped offline and power lines were knocked down. One of the most dramatic changes to the load was the New York subway system shutting down due to flooding.”

Smith appreciates the support he received during his PhD program and says that the ECE faculty “strive to instill a long-lasting understanding that is required for success in today’s dynamic marketplace.”

He says that his supervisors Victor Aitken and John Chinneck were extremely supportive and recommends both of them to any prospective students.

He also took advantage of the fact that the ECE program is part of a joint institute with the University of Ottawa as he was able to take some courses at the U of O.

Smith has this advice for students involved in the job hunt process: “PhD students looking to work in non-academic fields should consider seeking an industry sponsor as they start their research. An industrial partner will keep you commercially focused throughout your research – an advantage for your post-academic resumé. Further, if you impress the sponsor, then your research work could turn into a job after graduation.”

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PhD Alum Jessica Haynes Tells Her Career Story https://gradstudents.carleton.ca/2014/phd-alum-jessica-haynes-tells-career-story/ Wed, 26 Feb 2014 13:11:30 +0000 http://gradstudents.carleton.ca/?p=19241  **Part of our ongoing series on Carleton PhD alumni who are working in non-academic careers. To read other stories in this series, visit our Alumni Success Story archive.

Jessica Haynes says her PhD (2012) opened doors for her as the skills and knowledge she acquired in the PhD History program “are respected and valued….a PhD demonstrates commitment, intellect and energy.”

She is currently working as a Policy Analyst with the Human Development and Gender Equality Division in the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada. Until recently, she worked for the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) which merged with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

“I help to shape and articulate development policy as it relates to gender equality in the department,” explains Haynes. “Within the Human Development and Gender Equality Division, we deal with a range of issues, including health, education, gender equality, women’s economic empowerment and child protection.”

Haynes says that her PhD research, which focused on gender and women’s history, prepared her to work in gender equality in a development context. Her thesis examined the impact of the birth control pill on married, Canadian women who took the pill when it was first released in Canada in the early 1960s.

The alumna says completing her thesis while having her first child was a challenging balance act. “I have discovered that work/life balance is an ongoing issue so I am glad I got experience with that during my PhD.”

Through seven years of graduate studies, Haynes says she felt encouraged and challenged by Prof. Dominique Marshall. “Because of her, I became a better researcher and writer, eager to engage with my own discipline as well as relevant work in other fields. I firmly believe that she positively shaped my PhD thesis and continues to influence my work today.”

Through her interactions with faculty members, including Marshall, Haynes was able to establish contacts which helped in her job search.

For current PhD students, who are starting to think about employment once they graduate, Haynes has this advice: “Keep an open mind. Identify what you like doing from your academic work (research, teaching, etc.) and explore any position or avenue that allows you to do something you like and find important. While I identified during my graduate years that I would like to work in government and contribute to society that way, I did not necessarily focus on what was then CIDA as a likely employment area. But because I was open to the possibility, I found a position which I really enjoy and one that matches well my skills and interests.”

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Alum Raj Venugopal’s Career Journey & Job-Hunting Tips https://gradstudents.carleton.ca/2014/alum-raj-venugopal/ Wed, 12 Feb 2014 15:37:08 +0000 http://gradstudents.carleton.ca/?p=19083 *This is part 12 in our series looking at Carleton PhD alumni who have gone on to pursue non-academic jobs. To read other stories in this series, go to our Alumni Success Story archives.

Raj VenugopalRaj Venugopal says his Carleton PhD (2010) in Political Science helped prepare him for the rigours of his current position as the Executive Director, Regulatory Affairs, Executive Council Office with the Government of New Brunswick, “especially through the cultivation of critical thought processes and skills related to analysis of government.”

His work involves leading the Government of New Brunswick’s efforts to modernize its regulatory system.

Says Venugopal: *I enjoy my job because it requires highly complex thinking, working with an extremely broad range of stakeholders and is highly results-oriented.”

The Political Science alumnus admits his PhD process was a bit of a bumpy ride. “I took a long time to complete the program on account of working full-time, having three children, and considerable self-doubt along the way. At one point in my studies, I came within 30 seconds of deciding to quit the program. Had it not been for the patience and the assistance of (then) Associate Dean Robert Holton, and the encouragement of my supervisor Prof. Jonathan Malloy (and former supervisor now retired Prof. Elliott Tepper), I would not have graduated. That Carleton University provides an effective learning environment AND has a compassionate professoriate and administration, meant the world to me.”

Asked if he would do it all over again,Venugopal says: “In a heartbeat. But if I were to do it again, I’d do it much quicker so that entering a tenure-stream position would have been a viable career option.”

Venugopal’s career advice to current PhD students? “The job market many of us had been promised that would come with the retirement of the Baby Boom generation has not happened. The market is tough, but if you are resilient, flexible and persistent, you will land somewhere. You may have to temper lofty expectations in the beginning of your career, however, you must continually drive towards the position you dream of. You will write your “magnum opus,” … but maybe just not right away. Once you do find work, never forget what it feels like to be unemployed, and do not hesitate to help others in need. Above all, use your life to make a difference. Be a force for good.”

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Non-Academic Careers for PhD Alumni – Ken Medd https://gradstudents.carleton.ca/2014/non-academic-careers-phd-alumni-ken-medd/ Tue, 21 Jan 2014 15:30:51 +0000 http://gradstudents.carleton.ca/?p=18678 **This is part of our series on Carleton University PhD alumni who are pursuing non-academic careers. You can read the rest of the series by going to our alumni success story website. Each person shares his/her tips on finding employment outside academe.

Ken Medd was pursuing his EMBA from the University of Ottawa when he first heard about Carleton’s PhD in Management program. After attending a presentation by professors Vinod Kumar and Roland Thomas about the program, he says:  ”I was quite impressed by both of them and Carleton’s part-time program made it possible for me to continue working while I was taking my PhD.”

As Medd had already worked for the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development and was now with the Aboriginal Tax Policy Section in the Dept. of Finance, he chose a dissertation topic that might help improve understanding and interaction among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal governments.

Using a long-standing technique from cross-cultural management called the Values Survey Module (VSM), he administered the survey to willing employees of 10 Aboriginal governments (Algonquin and Athabascan communities) and four non-Aboriginal governments in order to assess five different dimensions associated with culture.

Medd says the results helped to illustrate the rich but largely unappreciated diversity of Aboriginal cultures in Canada. “For some dimensions, the differences between the Algonquin and Athabascan governments were more pronounced than the corresponding differences between the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal governments.  The study demonstrated that making gross comparisons between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal groups is not useful because it treats Aboriginal groups as being similar or the same and masks the differences among them.”

He noted that the participating First Nation governments could also apply the survey results to their management practices and organizational design.

Medd graduated with his PhD in 2011. He appreciates the assistance he received from his supervisor at the Sprott School of Business, Dr. David Cray. “He’s very knowledgeable in the field. He consistently offered thoughtful and practical advice about focusing the study and completing it.  He guided me through the program and was extremely patient with me.”

Today, as a senior tax policy officer in the Tax Policy Branch of the federal Department of Finance, Medd  is working in the Aboriginal Tax Policy Section of the Intergovernmental Tax Policy, Evaluation and Research Division.

“I’m really fortunate because I now have a great job that I love,” says Medd.  “I think the results from my work are important and the work itself has taken me to some remote and beautiful communities and brought me into contact with talented and interesting people.”

At its core, his current job involves negotiating tax administration agreements with Aboriginal governments that want to implement taxes like the GST or personal income tax within their reserves or settlement lands.  He’s completed more than 35 tax agreements and is working on others that are at various stages of development.

Although his current career with the federal public service is coming to an end,  he plans on working for several more years in a new career.  Says Medd:  “Having a PhD means that I’ll have more options for my second career than I’d have without the degree.”

To current PhD students, Medd says:  “In our careers, many of us occasionally feel that our work is a grind or stale and uninteresting.  Years ago, when that happened to me, I returned to university to create possibilities for a brighter future that would be more interesting and fulfilling.  Recent graduates who are looking for work might find their job search to be a soul-destroying grind.  I’d remind them that they successfully overcame the challenges of earning a PhD and I’d encourage them to remain positive, to stay engaged with family and friends and to pursue their personal interests.  There’s a good job out there for each of us.”

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Dr. Anu Thomas Shares her Story on Life After Her PhD https://gradstudents.carleton.ca/2013/post-professional-phds-dr-anu-thomas/ Mon, 16 Dec 2013 21:00:59 +0000 http://gradstudents.carleton.ca/?p=18522 AnuThomasAfter two years of hard research for her Carleton PhD thesis, Dr. Anu Thomas thought she had a great solution to her research problem. But someone in Australia had beaten her to it as they had already discovered the exact same solution.

After the initial disappointment wore off, she and her supervisor, Chancellor’s Professor John Oommen decided to delve deeper into the area.

“Things turned upside down when we discovered some unexplored “territory” and thus basically “invented” a new paradigm for pattern recognition,” says Thomas. “After that, every day was exciting and was like exploring a new continent.”

Thomas said that, while researching her thesis, she worked with Dr. Oommen on a daily basis. “Not only did he support me with the technical and scientific supervision needed to do world-class research, but he also, by his life, taught me lessons concerning the fundamental qualities of life like generosity, kindness, loyalty, patience, responsibility, humility and courage,” says Thomas.

The alumna also credits the support and encouragement she received from her family as having helped her through the PhD process. “They were very understanding and accommodating. They adjusted and worked around my busy schedule comprising of studies both during the week and the weekends, and which often extended late into the night.”

Thomas graduated with her PhD in Computer Science at the June, 2013 convocation. Today, she is a Software Designer, R&D, with Blackberry.

Says Thomas: “It can be hard for people to create and remember multiple usernames and passwords. I sometimes have problems remembering my own. My job at Blackberry involves developing a strong authentication system which changes the very nature of authentication by allowing our global customers to easily and securely use the device without entering the identification information multiple items.”

Thomas says that working in the field of machine learning at Carleton under an established and well-known researcher gave her a competitive edge in the workplace.

For current grad students seeking non-academic careers, Thomas says: Try to network as much as possible. Keep contacts with professors, colleagues, and friends. Use networking websites like LinkedIn and sites like monster, workopolis etc. The dream career may only be a chat away.”

You can read other stories in this series by going to our Alumni Success Story archive.

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