This article is part of a series focusing on the grads of the AV俱乐部 Class of 2019. Spring Convocation kicked off May 10 in Truro, with Halifax ceremonies from May 27 to June 1. Read all our profiles here, and for more information visit the Convocation website.
Adjusting to a new place was a bit of a challenge for Industrial Engineering student Sarah Abdoon when she transferred to AV俱乐部 in 2016, but she soon found connections through her employment with the Dal Libraries.
鈥淚 always wanted to go abroad and study; I liked the whole idea of it,鈥� says Sarah, who was born and raised in the United Arab Emirates.
The opportunity to travel to Halifax presented itself because her brother was living here. Having always looked up to her brother, this made the choice to study in Halifax for her post-secondary education an obvious one.
鈥淗e moved here 18 years ago so it was just easier for me to come here,鈥� she says.
After Sarah moved to Halifax, she spent her first two years studying engineering at Saint Mary鈥檚 University, where she earned her diploma in the subject. She then decided to transfer to AV俱乐部 to pursue the full bachelor degree, but that meant she had to once again change her environment after having just adjusted to studying at SMU.
鈥淲hen I moved to AV俱乐部, I wasn鈥檛 sure about it,鈥� says Sarah. It was an unfamiliar campus and she found the larger class sizes intimidating.
Enter the Sexton Design & Technology Library
In the summer of 2016, Sarah started job searching so she could work while attending classes. 鈥淚 just wanted a part-time job. I鈥檓 used to working and studying at the same time to support myself. I knew one of the librarians at Saint Mary鈥檚 University and I used to chat with her now and then. I remember telling her that I would love to work in the library and asking what steps I could take to work in the AV俱乐部 Libraries,鈥� says Sarah.
She followed that advice and got a position as a student assistant at the Sexton Design & Technology Library.
鈥淚鈥檓 thankful that I got it because I鈥檝e met so many people just by working at the library,鈥� says Sarah, who has now been working at the Sexton Library for the past three years. Since coming to AV俱乐部, she has found a sense of belonging in the library, 鈥淚 feel close to the full-time staff members 鈥� it鈥檚 such a family vibe."
Whether she was in the classroom, helping a client during her co-op, or working at the Sexton Design & Technology Library, Sarah always looked for the best way and solving problems.
鈥淚ndustrial Engineering is all about the system and finding the optimal solutions. It can be implemented in any field,鈥� says Sarah. 鈥淚t鈥檚 all about trying to find the best solution for any given problem.鈥� 聽
Sarah is set to graduate with a Bachelor of Engineering on May 29. After graduation she will work for Michelin in Wolfville, N.S.