In our third edition of our Alumni Spotlight, meet Param Desai, a Computer Engineering graduate of Ryerson University circa 2020. Param is currently a Consultant at Deloitte.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I graduated in Computer Engineering from Ryerson University in 2020. I came to Ryerson as an International Student. I am currently working at Deloitte as a Consultant. Outside of work, I like to play volleyball and tennis and I’m a big F1 fan.
What are some of your fondest memories from your time in the Engineering program?
I think getting involved on campus through various student groups and organizations is definitely one of my fondest memories. From taking part in case competitions to being a member of the First Year Ambassador program, every single endeavour taught me different skills. Not to mention, these experiences were fun, exciting and I got to make a lot of new friends. They also proved to be a destresser and helped me gain extra-curricular experience.
What were some of the different groups/activities you were involved in?
I was involved with many different student groups throughout my undergraduate program notably, First Year Ambassador Program, Tri Mentoring Program, Ryerson Engineering Student Society (RESS), Student Learning Support (SLS), Ryerson Hackathon (RU Hacks) and IEEE.
How do you think Ryerson Engineering set you up for success?
Ryerson gave me a platform to express myself and explore my true potential. The abundance of opportunities and the freedom of tailoring my own career path helped me grow and gain a multitude of skills. For instance, through various networking events at Ryerson, I was able to get an insight into the professional world and identify which industry I would resonate the most with. Additionally, whether it was attending the Forbes U30 conference or organizing RU Hacks, this was made possible due to the resources/support available at Ryerson. All these experiences combined with academic learning have given me the confidence to take on challenges at the professional level without the slightest hesitation.
What advice would you give to current students?
I would say network as much as you can, reach out to people for advice/guidance and hear their stories as there is lots to learn. Secondly, identify your goals, break them down into smaller components and then work towards achieving one small component at a time. The university might be overwhelming, to begin with, but it doesn’t have to end that way. Go out there, get involved, have fun and make memories that last a lifetime. Lastly, don’t exhaust yourself and work towards maintaining a fine balance between academics and extracurriculars as they are both equally important.
**As of April 2022, Ryerson University has been renamed Toronto Metropolitan University**