Name: Meenakshi Andoorveedu
Program: Management Engineering
Degree you are studying toward: Bachelor of Applied Science
Expected year of graduation: 2024
Institution: University of Waterloo
Email: Send Email
Fun Facts About Me
If your best friend had to describe you in 10 words or less, what would they say?: Ambitious, Compassionate, and Relentless.
Share one fun fact about yourself: I’ve always loved Indian classical dance and began my journey in Bharatanatyam at the age of four. I still dance, both competitively and non-competitively, throughout my undergrad.
What do you want to accomplish in the next 10 years?: My goals are to successfully complete my Bachelor's degree, pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, and earn my professional engineer designation. Beyond my education, I hope to secure a job where I feel passionate and connected with the company's mission so that I can leave a positive impact, innovate, and drive change. But most importantly, I will continue to advocate, encourage, and empower women by supporting them on their learning journey in the STEM field.
The most inspiring engineer I know is ....... Because ........?: I come from a family of engineers. I look up to my brother, father, cousins, and uncles who have all had success in their field of engineering. I am particularly inspired by A Lalitha, who was the first woman engineer in India. Her sheer determination to pursue her dream career and cast aside gender norms in a male-dominated field makes her a striking role model for me. She was not only an engineer, but a mom, who strived to be career-driven and family-oriented.
Profile Questions
Why did you choose your program of study?: I've always been passionate about problem-solving and thinking innovatively, combined with my interest in business and technology, prompted me to choose Management Engineering as my field of study. My program is truly one-of-a-kind. It bridges concepts between computer programming, industrial engineering principles and math into a unique, interdisciplinary curriculum that allows me to develop an understanding of engineering from multiple lenses. I'm especially interested in data analytics, information systems, operations and supply chain management, so Management Engineering naturally became the perfect fit for me.
What has been your favourite course (in Engineering) and why?: My favourite course has been Introduction to Computer Programming. Having no prior coding experience before coming to University, programming languages seemed daunting to me at first. With the right mindset and tons of encouraging words from my Professor and TAs, set me on the right path to truly appreciate the beauty of learning Object-Oriented Programming Languages. By the end of the semester, I was able to create complex projects in Java with new-found confidence and develop my critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
What has been the best part of your Engineering education to date?: The best part about studying engineering is the endless opportunities to grow and develop, both personally and professionally. The co-op program at the University of Waterloo offers me the chance to get my foot into different industries and apply my knowledge in real-life scenarios. I've been lucky to collaborate with so many like-minded people to design creative solutions and implement change. For my first co-op, I worked as the Product Developer and Marketing Intern at Wellow, a startup company based in New York. Working directly with the founders was an empowering experience, and I quickly developed soft and technical skills that I am eager to apply to future opportunities.
What do you hope to do after you graduate?: I hope to advance my career in data science, project management or software. Through my internship placements during my undergrad, I hope to gain a clear picture of which path I should take moving forward. I would ideally like to work in a balanced environment that allows me to apply my skills individually while simultaneously fostering a safe space to collaborate, share ideas and develop meaningful projects. My passion has always been giving back and helping others, so I hope to work for a company that aligns with my personal goals and values.