Part 2: TMU students score cool summer jobs
From conducting research to testing software, TMU students found cool ways to earn cash and job experience this summer.
With classes in full swing and school projects piling up, you may find yourself daydreaming about summer.
In part two of this year’s summer jobs series, we're taking a look back and catching up with three standout students whose summer jobs brought them one step closer to their dream careers.
Meet them below:
- Rachel Lo, research assistant, Nutrition Discovery Labs
- Brandon Mai, QA analyst and software developer, theScore
- Kevin Nguyen, finance student, Invest in Canada
Rachel Lo
Research assistant, Nutrition Discovery Labs
Nutrition and Food, 3rd year
Third-year student Rachel Lo applied what she learned in class to her work as a research assistant this summer. Her research project examined how three different sugar substitutes impact human metabolism.
Rachel Lo says one of the coolest parts about a research assistant was being one of the first people to discover findings that have a real impact on everyone’s lives.
The third-year student spent her summer working under professor Nick Bellissimo in the Nutrition Discovery Labs at the Centre for Urban Innovation.
Her research focused on comparing three sweeteners–allulose (a rare sugar), stevia and sucralose–and analyzing their metabolic effects in humans. This involved collecting and analyzing metabolic data using various tools.
“In nutrition research, food is a part of everyone's life, so the work feels universally relevant. I get to contribute to research that’s not just theoretical, but where I can actually see it progressing toward practical use,” said Lo.
A volunteer in professor Bellissimo’s since her first year, Lo found out about the summer research job through her faculty newsletter. The position falls under TMU’s Undergraduate Research Opportunity (URO), where students spend the summer conducting research, then present their findings during the fall semester.
“I love being able to apply what I’ve learned in class into the real world through hands-on experience. Working in a research lab really solidifies and connects material from my courses from physiology and nutrition to research methods and ethics,” she said.
Her advice for other students who want to work in research?
“Start as early as you can! Don’t worry if you don’t have experience, research is all about learning, and everyone can learn by putting in the effort,” said Lo.
Brandon Mai
QA analyst and software developer, theScore
Computer Science, 4th year
4th year student Brandon Mai found the perfect internship to combine his interest in sports and computer science. That internship has now led to another job for the fall.
Sports betting in Ontario has exploded in the past few years and Brandon Mai is right in the middle of the action. His summer consisted of testing casino apps for big name brands including theScore Bet, ESPN BET, Hollywood Casino and theScore Casino.
“As a varsity badminton player, I’ve always been interested in the sports and entertainment industry, so getting to work on the technical side of that has been a great fit,” said Mai.
His role as a quality assurance analyst includes different types of software testing and bug reporting. He describes his role as the “last line of defence.”
Mai started working at theScore in January after landing an eight-month internship position. He says the experience helped him break into tech and secure a new position for the fall as a software developer at theScore. In his new role, he’ll get to help build video live-streaming.
“At the end of my first year, I wasn’t able to secure a spot in the co-op program. Instead, I worked hard to improve my technical skills so that I could land an internship on my own,” said Mai. “I learned as much as I could in my current role and networked internally to secure a software developer role. I truly believe that you only need one opportunity to prove yourself.”
Throughout his internship, Mai also balanced classes, varsity badminton and served as president of two student clubs.
His advice for other students who don’t want to sacrifice student life for job opportunities? “It’s definitely tough, but I do think that it’s very possible as long as you prioritize your goals, stay driven and be self-disciplined. Ask yourself what your goals are and what you’re trying to achieve, and really give it your all. We’ll all make it!”
Kevin Nguyen
Finance student, Invest in Canada
Accounting, 5th year
Accounting student Kevin Nguyen (centre) worked remotely from Toronto for most of his internship but was able to take his parents on a tour of the Invest in Canada office when they visited Ottawa in June.
Kevin Nguyen knows exactly what he’d like to do after he graduates, thanks to an inspiring summer working as a finance intern.
Nguyen landed at Invest in Canada, a government department that helps global businesses expand into Canada, promoting foreign direct investment.
As an intern, he learned about financial processes and completed tasks like reconciling monthly banking transactions, processing employees' expense claims and entering contracts and commitments on the procurement side. But what stands out most is the people he worked with.
“I got to work with some of the most genuine and caring people that I’ve met,” said Nguyen, who worked remotely but travelled to Ottawa for the department’s all-staff meeting.
“The trip showed me that the staff not only cares about each other professionally, but personally. It creates a great atmosphere, knowing that you come in everyday to work with people who care about your growth and development within the team.”
At the meeting, Nguyen found inspiration when a colleague received the five-year Public Service Award.
“I want to continue to work hard at Invest in Canada and be deserving of that award,” he said. “I learned a lot about the department’s finance processes this summer and I want to take these strong foundations and transition them into a full-time position after I finish school.”
His advice for students looking to land a dream internship?
“Use our school’s resources whenever possible. For TRSM students, the Business Career Hub (BCH) provides career counselling, resume and cover letter help. The Career Boost program provides opportunities for us to work during the school year and it is exclusive to TMU students. I started out as a financial assistant for TMU Housing two years ago and it helped me gain experience and land future roles,” said Nguyen. “Most importantly, don’t give up and keep on believing in yourself!”
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