From Aberdeen Hall to wherever life takes you, you will always be a part of the AH family. The Benefits of Summer
Finding your way in the professional world can be a daunting task. However, there are certain steps that you can take to ensure that you navigate this period with grace and ultimately end up on a path that will lead you to success.
It’s okay not to have a clear vision of what you want to do after university. Many successful people have gone through this period of uncertainty, and it is entirely normal to feel a sense of confusion and lack of direction.
Based on the experiences of the Aberdeen Hall alumni we interviewed for this edition of Grad Pathways, here are some things you can do to kick-start the process of narrowing down what career is best for you:
• Explore your potential career options. This could involve doing internships, taking on part-time work, or volunteering in different fields to get exposure and experience. By doing this, you can gain a better understanding of the various industries and jobs available, and start narrowing down your options.
• Build your network. Networking is crucial in today’s job market and can open doors to new opportunities. You can start by attending industry events, joining professional organizations, or even reaching out to alumni from Aberdeen Hall for advice.
• Be patient and persistent. Finding your dream job may take time, and it is important to stay motivated and keep pushing forward. Remember that setbacks and failures are a part of the journey, and they should be viewed as opportunities for growth and learning.
While the period after university can be uncertain, it is good to know that there are steps you can take to navigate it successfully.
Erin Jones Director of Communications and Marketing
When I read through the articles in this magazine and meet you in our halls and during events I am reminded time and again of what an incredible group of people that you are. The life journeys you are taking are dynamic and filled with hope.
We always love when you drop in to see us and especially enjoyed the recent alumni presentations during our Senior School ‘Careers Day’. Listening to our former students presenting to current students on topics such as artificial intelligence, real estate land development, law, and life as a young entrepreneur was very inspiring!
You truly are living proof that we are fulfilling our mission to empower students to lead meaningful lives as compassionate, contributing citizens and inspire their success in learning and life.
A special note to our graduates of 2023. Our sincere congratulations to each of you on finishing up your final year of high school and being accepted to some of the top universities in Canada and abroad.
We wish you an excellent summer and look forward to continuing to connect with you in the new school year.
Warmest Regards
Christopher Grieve Head of School
We are excited to see what your bright young minds will accomplish in the years ahead as you join the ranks of your fellow Aberdeen Hall alumni.
Including 2023
Our Graduates have been accepted to:
Acadia University
Blanche Macdonald Centre
Capilano University
Centre for Arts and Technology
Concordia University
Dalhousie University
Emily Carr University
Georgian College
Guelph University
Langara College
McGill University
McMaster University
Mount Allison University
Mount Royal University
Okanagan College
Queen’s University
Ryerson University
Simon Fraser University
St. Francis Xavier University
Thompson River University
University of Alberta
University of British Columbia
University of Calgary
University of Lethbridge
University of Northern British Columbia
University of Ottawa
University of Regina
University of Saskatchewan
University of Toronto
University of Victoria
University of Waterloo
Vancouver Film School
Western University
US UK International
Belmont Abbey College
Berklee College of Music
Chapman University
Columbia University
Cornell University
Emerson College
Missouri S&T
Parsons School of Design
Post University
St. Norbert College
University of Arizona
University of Hawaii
University of WisconsinMadison
Vermont State University
Queen’s University Belfast
Royal College of Surgeons
St. Andrews University
University of Buckingham
University of Exeter
University of Edinburgh
University of Liverpool
University College of London
ESMOD (École supérieure des arts et techniques de la mode), Paris
Tokyo University
University of Amsterdam
University of Sydney
Our alumni records indicate you were at the University of Alberta enrolled in the Honours Science program. Can you give us an update on your studies as you complete the final year of your undergraduate program this winter?
I did my first two years in the Honours Integrative Physiology program at the University of Alberta, however, during this time I was able to take some Earth and Atmospheric Science courses which really inspired me. I changed my degree in my third year to a general science Earth and Atmospheric Sciences major. Being in general science gave me more freedom to explore my interests, take electives I was intrigued in, and take more diverse science courses. I’ve been able to include many zoology and paleontology classes into my degree which I have loved. Upon graduation I will have a BSc Earth and Atmospheric Sciences with a Biological Sciences minor.
We saw that you were named ‘Miss Queen Alberta 2022-2023’, congratulations! Can you tell us about that?
I have admired pageant titleholders my entire life, because of the impact and reach they are able to have for their causes. I had been really interested in competing and when I found Personality Pageant Canada, it felt like fate! Going into my first pageant I put my whole heart into it and was so excited to win the title of Miss Queen Alberta 2022-2023. Being a part of this pageant system and a titleholder has presented me with so many opportunities already, especially to advocate for my platform of women’s health and destigmatizing menstruation. I am really excited to be competing for the national title in August, for an opportunity to go on to compete internationally.
I have battled with chronic migraines and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder for almost my entire life and it was an incredibly isolating and difficult experience. I set out to become the woman I wanted to look up to at fifteen. I have been able to get involved in changing women’s health through my board position with the Women’s Health Coalition of Alberta and my VP Events position with the Interdisciplinary Women’s Health Association.
In addition to this, the reach I have with a regional title inspired me to create and fund my passion project, ‘Charlotte’s Women’s Health Hub’. CWHH is a blog-style platform where I share my own health journey, other women’s experiences, resources, and my own custom self-improvement/care worksheets. CWHH launched at the end of April 2023 and I was so excited to bring it to life.
Can you give any future UofA students some hot tips about university life at UofA and suggest any ‘must-visit’ spots in Edmonton?
Edmonton is such a fantastic place. Though the weather is chilly (buy the warmest coat you can find - it’s worth it!), the people and culture here are incredible. My favorite UofA hotspot is the Rutherford library ‘Harry Potter Room’, which really does make you feel like you’re studying at Hogwarts! As well as Remedy Café, which has the best Chai lattes I’ve ever had, we’re lucky enough to have three on campus! UofA loves their students and truly has so many opportunities for us. Look into student groups, internships and study abroad opportunities. I’ll be studying in Lille, France, this summer where I’ll be taking two classes, French and a class on sustainable cities!
After graduating from this degree next winter, I won’t be done with school! I am planning to apply for nursing school. I love Earth Science, but I’ve also discovered my passion for health. I realized
I want to be outside of a laboratory, interacting face-to-face with people that I can help. I will also continue to compete in pageants. Pageantry has inspired me and opened up doors I am so thankful for. I am hoping to compete for the ‘Miss Universe Canada’ title down the road, and ultimately vye for ‘Miss Universe’! Your ultimate career goal?
Ultimately I would like to be a nurse practitioner for women’s health. In my ‘dream life’ I can see myself having my own women run practice with a variety of specialties. I hope to grow ‘Charlotte’s Women’s Health Hub’ to an international platform impacting women worldwide, providing resources and taking the isolation out of chronic pain due to menstruation.
Do you have any advice for our grads who are about to enter post-secondary?
Be open to all experiences. I have always been a planner, and I had a clear plan of what my degree would look like and what my academic journey would entail. It has changed over and over throughout my studies and I am so grateful for that! I have been able to do so many interesting things I never planned, like my pageantry, student group involvement and my upcoming study-abroad experience. You will change and grow so much throughout these years that it’s ok for your plans and passions to change. I promise you will be ok!
Thank you so much, Charlotte. We think you are well on your way to accomplishing your goal of being the kind of woman you would want your 15-year-old self to look up to.
Be open to all experiences. I have always been a planner, and I had a clear plan of what my degree would look like and what my academic journey would entail. It has changed over and over throughout my studies and I am so grateful for that!
I took a semester off at the beginning of 2022 and I traveled for a total of four months. I made this decision when my exchange to Sweden, which was supposed to be from January to June, 2022, was canceled three weeks before my departure. UBC Okanagan had canceled all of their outgoing exchanges as a precautionary measure due to a new strain of Covid surfacing. I was devastated because I had been looking forward to traveling and living abroad for years. Luckily I was able to postpone my exchange to the fall semester, but I was still aching to travel and experience independence that would challenge my comfort level.
~ Caitlin’s Dad
“
If you can’t adventure right… adventure left.”
A close friend of mine named Maya had her exchange semester to Paris canceled as well, so we decided to take the semester off and travel together. We had no plan, but we were eager to start, so we met up in her home town in New Mexico; and from there we traveled to Colorado, Utah, and California. We spent 2 weeks in Mexico and then I flew down to Liberia in Costa Rica to stay with an old friend of a friend for a week. Then Maya joined us and we traveled all around the province Guanacaste and around Lake Arenal by staying in Airbnb’s with a couple friends we met along the way. When they left, Maya and I traveled to Jaco to stay at a surf hostel for 3 weeks where we surfed and took Spanish lessons almost every day. We had originally wanted to stay for only one week and then travel to Panama, but we loved the hostel so much that we extended our stay instead. My mom and step-dad wanted to join the adventures so we flew to Ecuador to meet them and stayed in Quito for a night before flying out to the Gálapagos Islands where we explored a few islands by boat for five days. It was surreal, I vividly remember snorkeling with penguins and sharks on either side of me. From there we flew to Peru where we stayed in Cusco and traveled to Machu Picchu. Peru had the most unbelievable food, my favorite was the Alpaca steak!
When my exchange was canceled, my dad told me “if you can’t adventure right, adventure left” to which I rolled my eyes at first, but it stuck with me. There were many obstacles I faced while traveling, but having a good attitude and letting the change take me in a different
direction made my travels so incredible. I wasn’t able to go to Sweden when I had planned, but I’m so glad it worked out the way that it did. Now the European friends I had made in Costa Rica were able to visit me in Sweden!
Currently I am studying at Lund University in Sweden. During my first semester I was taking solely business courses such as entrepreneurship, international business, and business marketing. They were fantastic and I noticed their focus on sustainability.
wasn’t interested in a Master’s degree until I went on exchange this year. Now, studying abroad excites me and I want to continue my studies further.
Advice that I have for Aberdeen Hall students is to understand that their goals and aspirations will change as time goes on, because life isn’t always predictable - but that’s what makes it so entertaining.
I thought I wanted to graduate with my bachelor’s degree in four years, but when classes went online, my enjoyment of university dwindled and I no longer felt purpose in my work. Taking the semester off was scary as I knew it would set me back from my original goal, but I’m so glad that I did. Taking that semester off allowed me to study for one year in Sweden instead of just one semester (because I have to finish my last semester at UBCO).
I’ve now been able to take some free standing electives so I’ve been taking some cultural and Swedish language courses. After graduation I want to work for a year and then apply for a Master’s program outside of Canada, perhaps in tourism, hotel management or international marketing. I
It’s the most incredible thing how, what I once thought was a setback, became the best years of my life.
The Scandinavian perspective on Human Resources has been enlightening.Caitlin in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Hi, my name is Chantel Bennett, and I am a 2020 Aberdeen Hall graduate. I am currently in my 3rd year of a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance at Western University. I started my university experience at Brandon University, but decided to transfer for this year. I have loved Western University, and have been getting very involved in the student community. This past year I was a Promotions Commissioner on the Faculty of Music Student Council, and I am the incoming Vice President of Communications. On top of student council I am also a Soph. The Sophs are the upper-year student volunteers who help lead the orientation week for the incoming first years.
Following four years as an International student at Aberdeen Hall, I entered the Faculty of Science at UBC to study Computer Science. It was a year that prompted a lot of introspection and I realized that a future in the field of IT was not my passion: it’s not where I wanted to devote my time nor how I wanted to spend my future. After much reflection, I plan to enter the Film Production Program in the Faculty of Fine Arts at UBC in the fall of 2023. It’s quite a departure from my background in Maths and Sciences but I’m excited to explore this field. I attribute my initial introduction to photography to Ms. Berteig’s Art class in Gr. 10 where I discovered film as an art form and have found over the past several years that capturing images through photography and film inspires me, allows my creativity to flourish and is where my passion lies. I’m still playing basketball; finding pick-up games on courts around the UBC campus.
Overall I have loved being involved in the Western University community and I can’t wait for next year!AHPS ‘22
This year was my first year as an undergraduate student at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. After considering all the programs Berklee has to offer, I decided to double major in Songwriting and Music Business/Management with an emphasis in Marketing.
My favourite part of this year was participating in the Berklee Billboard Hot 100 Club. This club is for artists, songwriters, producers, and managers to meet and collaborate with one another to make music that could be on the Hot 100 charts. The club brings in guest speakers and label executives who talk about their experience in the industry and provide advice on student songs. Through the Billboard Hot 100 Club, I submitted my song “Tattooed Butterfly” for a chance for it to be sent off to labels. Soon after the submissions closed, I received an email that Photo Finish
Records based in New York City wanted to meet with me and the collaborators of the record. I got the opportunity to sit down with the label executives and talk about my song and how we could improve the record. It was super rewarding to know that all of the late nights, heartbreak, and frustration that went into producing the track were worth it. This was the beginning of my relationship with Photo Finish Records which I intend to continue throughout my artistic career. I am so grateful for everyone who collaborated on the record since the record started off as just an artist project that a fellow Berklee producer/ songwriter and I started, but now there are a total of 5 songwriters, 2 producers, 1 vocalist and an entire string ensemble credited on the track. I am also very excited to announce that I was offered a leadership position for Billboard Hot 100 Club starting next semester where
I will begin my role as a Communications Officer.
In terms of classes, my favourite class this semester has been my Producing with Ableton for Songwriters class. Ableton is the digital audio workstation where I produce the majority of my music. Although my classes are done, I am still occupied applying for social media marketing and content creation internships out in Los Angeles. Hopefully this summer I will be working at an artist marketing agency part time, and spending the rest of my time in sessions with producers, songwriters and artists in Los Angeles. If there is one thing I have learned from Berklee, it is that hard work outweighs everything. It is such a competitive industry and people will try to tell you who you are supposed to be.
I have discovered a lot of things I am not very good at (yet) and failed many times, but hard work, time, and patience are truly the greatest weapons to combat these challenges, and the good moments are completely worth the hardships.
Thank you for the update, Lukas and Tessa, and best of luck in your next endeavours!
“From Grade 8 Math to 4th year university… last class ever together”.
This is a big part of what makes Aberdeen Hall so special.Alumni Lukas Haberman and Tessa Monaghan (AHPS 2019), sent Mr. Oz and Mr. Acree this awesome photo of their last class together after 9 years of attending the same school. They will both be graduating from the University of Alberta this spring with their Bachelor of Commerce degrees.
AHPS ‘16
Congratulations to alumna, Rita Lam (‘16), on successfully defending her MASc thesis, and on winning first place in the UBC Okanagan Three Minute Thesis competition.
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) is an academic competition that assists current graduate students with fostering effective presentation and communication skills. Participants have just three minutes to explain the breadth and significance of their research project to a nonspecialist audience.
Rita’s research aims to understand the interactions between two healthy building foundations: indoor daylight and indoor microbiome. Specifically, she studies the effect of indoor daylight through a newly developed electrochromic smart window on the microbiome within the building. The results of her study can provide important insights for future healthy building design and infectious disease control in all built environments. Well done Rita! We’re keeping our eyes on you!
Congrats to Kaid van Kampen, our 2017 valedictorian, who completed their Bachelor of Health Science at McMaster University in 2020 and subsequently began medical school at McMaster University.
As of May 25th Kaid can officially call themselves ‘Doctor van Kampen’ and they are heading to Vancouver in July to start their surgical training in orthopedic surgery, along with their fiancé, Emelia, and their cat, Astrid.
Outside of their medical career, they are an aspiring physician-artist, interested in exploring the crossroads of medicine, art, and humanities. During their undergraduate studies they founded tothe9s, McMaster’s only fashion club focusing on sustainability and self-expression, and played piano at the McMaster Children’s Hospital biweekly. In medical school, they became a freelance journalist writing for the CBC, Healthy Debate, and The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. They have been featured on the award-winning medical podcast, The Nocturnists, for their story “The Resident and the Rogue” after originally performing their work in Chicago, IL. In their free time, they picked up rollerblading, rock climbing and Dungeon & Dragons. During medical school, they saw 3 West End shows, 6 Broadway shows and numerous others in Toronto, Stratford, and Niagara-On-the-Lake. They continue to play piano, guitar, and the drums, and most recently DJ’d their birthday party. They’re very excited to be heading back to the West Coast and reconnecting with some of their best friends from high school.
AHPS ‘18
Congrats to Yoshi Yamagami (AHPS 2018) who is set to graduate from UBC with a combined major in Statistics and Economics in the Bachelor of Science program in June 2023 and a Master’s of Management Preparatory Program in December 2023.
Internships are an essential part of a university student’s journey, offering a multitude of benefits for those willing to embrace them. These opportunities allow students to gain valuable work experience, develop new skills, network with professionals in their field, and make informed decisions about their future careers.
Internships provide university students with an opportunity to gain handson work experience that they may not get in a traditional classroom setting. By working alongside professionals in their chosen industry, students can learn about the day-to-day operations of a company and gain insight into what it takes to succeed in their chosen career path. This type of real-world experience is invaluable as it allows students to apply the knowledge they have gained in the classroom to real-life scenarios.
Building relationships with professionals in your chosen field can be a valuable asset when seeking employment after graduation. Interns can use their time in the company to ask questions, seek advice and learn from others already living their chosen career paths. Connections are precious currency, especially in this age of connectivity. Work hard and make a good impression and you will reap the benefits of your internship.
During an internship, students may be given tasks that challenge them and require them to learn new skills. For example, they may be asked to work on a project that requires them to learn an unfamiliar computer program, or they may be given the responsibility of managing a team of individuals. These types of experiences can help students build their confidence and give them a competitive edge when entering the workforce.
While working in a company, students may find that they enjoy certain aspects of the job or industry more than others. This experience can help students make informed decisions about the types of jobs they would like to pursue after graduation.
AHPS ‘19
University of Calgary; Accounting Co-Op
Internship: Heartland Generation, Commerce Summer Student
I will be working as a commerce summer student on the Battle River Carbon Hub project, an exciting energy transition project that is moving from coal power to 100% hydrogen-fueled power. When completed, it will be Canada’s first large-scale facility to integrate hydrogen production, carbon sequestration, and clean power.
AHPS ‘21
University of Toronto; Rotman School of Management - BCom, Finance and Economics Specialist
Internship: Cenovus Energy
Cenovus is a Canadian-based, integrated energy company with operations that span Canada, the United States, and the Asia Pacific region. They work across the full oil and natural gas value chain - in exploration, production, refining, transportation, and retailproviding products that power our communities.
During my internship at Cenovus, I will be doing analysis of accounting and financial data to help aid in decision making in their joint venture partnerships.
After university, I want to get into investment banking, with the ultimate goal of hedge fund management. Eventually I’d like to launch a public company.
AHPS ‘22
Western University
Internship: University of Calgary Research Intern
I will be interning at the University of Calgary working under Dr. Dave Campbell, a specialized endocrinologist who specifically studies the hormonal imbalances and problems of diabetes. He runs a clinic and lab called the Campbell Lab, where I will be working as a student researcher 30 hours a week! Dr. Terry Saunders-Smith is my research director and she coordinates many of the projects within the lab. Personally, I will be working on the homelessness project, which looks at the correlations between homelessness and diabetes, and the lack of resources and funding given to those in need. I will also be working on the FoodRX program, which looks at the links between our diets and nutrition, and diabetes. I am one of only three undergrad students working at the lab.
Here’s what some of our alumni are up to this summer!
Our Grade 12 students graduate from High School ready to take the next steps in life. They’ve honed the academic strategies and developed the character needed for success in post-secondary and beyond. Here’s what some of our grads are up to next year.
What university are you planning on attending?
I will be attending Simon Fraser University.
Major/Program: Criminology
What are your career goals?
I would like to work in the forensic field, possibly as a forensic investigator.
When did you start at Aberdeen Hall?
I started at Aberdeen Hall in grade 10.
How do you think your time at Aberdeen Hall has prepared you for postsecondary?
Aberdeen Hall provides an excellent educational experience for all students. The school offers courses that help prepare students for postsecondary starting in Grade 9. If I’m ever struggling, academically, or in my personal life, the teachers and administration are always there to support me, giving support and advice. Their encouragement has given me a sense of confidence that I know will serve me well as I progress through life.
How do you think you’ve changed or grown in your last year of High School?
When I first arrived as an international student in Grade 10, I was fairly introverted due to the language barrier. During my three years at Aberdeen Hall, I have stepped out of my comfort zone, trying new things and making new friends. I’m now very open to new experiences and possibilities, leading to both academic and social success.
Tell us about an accomplishment you’re proud of.
Getting accepted into my top two universities is definitely something I’m proud of because I worked really hard for it.
Be proud of who you are and believe in yourself. Don’t be afraid of stepping out of your comfort zone and look for new possibilities in life.
What university are you planning on attending?
I am planning to go to the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
Major/Program: I will be taking a Politics, Psychology, Law, and Economics (PPLE) degree.
What are your career goals?
My intent is to go to law school and become an international human rights lawyer. With my degree and license, I want to work for an international organization, such as the United Nations or work in human rights advocacy.
When did you start at Aberdeen Hall?
I joined Aberdeen Hall in Grade 11.
How do you think your time at Aberdeen Hall has prepared you for post-secondary?
My two years at Aberdeen Hall have taught me a lot, but what has prepared me the most is the support of the community. The strength I have found in my friends, peers, and teachers has allowed me to achieve my social and academic goals, such as receiving an admission offer to the University of Amsterdam.
How do you think you’ve changed or grown in your last year of High School?
I have experienced growth in my approach to balancing my school priorities and my social life. I have learned that both are equally as important and valuable to your development as a well-rounded person.
Tell us about an accomplishment you’re proud of.
An accomplishment that I am proud of being a semi-finalist for the Loran Scholars Foundation. As a semi-finalist, I was part of the top 5% of applicants, and it was an amazing experience connecting with other young change-makers from across Canada. I am very excited to receive my certificate of recognition in June.
Try everything and be involved in the school community as much as possible because those are the experiences that will create opportunities for you to discover what you are passionate about.
What university are you planning on attending?
I am planning on attending ESMOD, in Paris, France.
Major/Program: My major is business administration, and luxury brand management.
What are your career goals?
I aspire to work in fashion, specifically creating advertising campaigns. I also intend to work towards a more sustainable fashion industry, as the fashion industry is at the forefront of climate change.
When did you start at Aberdeen Hall?
I started at Aberdeen Hall in Grade 6.
How do you think your time at Aberdeen Hall has prepared you for post-secondary?
My time at Aberdeen Hall has consistently tested my time management skills, which has taught me how to how to balance my commitments no matter how large my workload is.
How do you think you’ve changed or grown in your last year of High School?
I have grown to realize my own worth and the importance of getting to know myself. I can see how getting to know myself can benefit me in the long run, and also benefit my relationships. I realize now that someone can only meet you as far as you’ve met yourself.
In my opinion, the most peaceful people that I know and the most wise people that I know are the ones who have created enough internal space to be able to allow all of the parts of themselves to coexist despite the contradictions or opinions of others, all because they know themselves. I aspire to continue growing until I have reached that point.
of.
I am incredibly proud of being accepted to my dream school. I have been working on this goal ever since September of 2019, as it has been a dream of mine ever since I did a project on Paris for my careers class. To be able to achieve this life goal makes me feel incredibly grateful and proud.
The hardest thing to learn is how to let go of things that used to be worthy of your energy.
These Grade 12 students have been with us since the very beginning. Felicity
Each year, we recognize those students who have been at Aberdeen Hall from Kindergarten all the way through Grade 12.
Kyler Assam
Tyson Battye
Felicity Byrne
Janette Cai
Emerson Caruth
Harkirat Chahal
Russell Cleve
Connor Corrigan
Meagan Corrigan
Soren Crumb
Jenna D’Amico
Wolfe Engman
Ty Frydenlund
Tejan Govender
Kaden Harris
Ella Hatchard
Matthew Hill-Turner
Maddox Holliday
Raajin Hoonjan
Andrew Isa
Nicholas Jackson
Ayra Khan
Jashanjot Khun Khun
Chloe Knight
Josh Kostek
Kammy Kuang
Liana Lam
Ruby Leinemann
Georgina McAllister
Athina Merckx
Maya Neale
Charlie Nestman
Owen Novakowski
Isla O’Connor
Chelsea Ozechowski
Bianca Pan
Pauline Pham
Bria Raduy
Hani Rehan
Kohen Reiber
Jace Ring
Olson Russello
Maxwell Schmidt
Gabriel Shimoon
Kai Slosky
Jaden Snitynsky
Moya Triyangkulsri
Julia Zhang
TEACHING EXCELLENCE. INSPIRING FUTURES. SHAPING CHARACTER.
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