Wondering how to make an impact with your medical sciences degree or curious about what lies ahead? You’re in the right place! This article is part of an 8-part series, supported by RBC Future Launch, that delves into the entrepreneurial journeys of students and recent graduates just like you. 

To get some real advice, we sat down with three of our 2024 RBC Inclusive Entrepreneurship Award Winners from our Fellowship Program. These medical sciences graduates, recognized for their inclusive leadership and entrepreneurial innovation, shared their personal stories, growth journeys, and practical advice, all tailored just for you.

Meet the Fellows

Omer Abdalla

Meet Omer, he graduated from Western University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences and Psychology. Omer is also the co-founder of Silver Connect, a non-profit organization that connects student volunteers with seniors or newcomers to Canada, allowing them to practice English in a safe space. He’s based in London, Ontario and is currently a 2024 Venture for Canada Fellow. 

Omer discovered the Fellowship Program through an Instagram ad. Motivated by his desire to continue learning about the startup space, he applied. “In one of the introductory sessions, I saw my old university roommate on the powerpoint going over the program details. He’s an incredible individual, and seeing that he had gone through the program, I was instantly convinced of its value. Initially, I kept my expectations low, as these kinds of programs can sometimes be hit or miss. However, I’m so glad to have participated and come away with all that I learned,” explains Omer.

“With a degree in medical science and psychology, I’ve learned that it’s not always about what your degree qualifies you for but about the skills you gain and the connections you make. I recommend future Fellows keep their eyes open and focus on gaining skills in industries they’re passionate about. Don’t worry too much about your degree—network and learn from people in the field you are interested in, as this can open many unexpected doors and don’t ever say no to networking with someone, even if they don’t help you along your career, friends are always welcome,” says Omer. 

The Fellowship Program allowed Omer to reevaluate his management and leadership styles, providing powerful insights into the types of people he works well with versus those he might clash with. “The case review sessions really helped further my ability to steer teams while still hearing everyone’s input. I also learned a lot about being a better listener, truly understanding what someone is saying, both as a friend and when receiving information from a boss. This has significantly improved my interpersonal skills and professional relationships. Even the exercises we did at Training Camp I’ve been implementing with my teams on a weekly basis,” exclaims Omer. 🥳

Sahawat Nilwatcharamanee

Meet Sahawat, he graduated from Thammasat University in Bangkok as a Doctor of Medicine and also has postgraduate degrees from Sault College of Applied Arts and Technology in Healthcare Administration and Health Informatics. He’s passionate about health, wellness, and helping others. Sahawat is based in Toronto, Ontario and is currently a 2024 Venture for Canada Fellow. 

Sahawat applied to the Fellowship Program in February 2024 when he saw the ad on social media, just as he was let go from his job. It was perfect timing – he wanted to do something different and improve his skills in entrepreneurship. 

The advice Sahawat gives to a Fellow with the same academic background is to explore different career options. “You know, my background is deeply in the healthcare industry, but I know that there’s many different career options outside. So it would be great to explore other careers too. There are many useful skills, like, for example, in the Venture for Canada Training Camp, I got to learn about other Fellows and other alumni stories. We have a lot of stories of people who make a pivot into a totally different field. I think it’s really important to explore your options and not be afraid to take the leap,” advises Sahawat. 

What’s most meaningful to Sahawat are the connections with the other Fellows – sharing experiences with them and trusting one another. He also found the one-on-one coaching with Anna Smith impactful, because she doesn’t try to force him in a particular direction, instead she tries to understand his experience. “For me it has encouraged me to make more professional connections since I kept hearing about the importance of networking. So, after Training Camp I had the opportunity to attend networking events which inspired me to make more connections and listen to other people’s stories and try to figure out my own. I just attended a tech conference called Collision which happened last month in Toronto,” says Sahawat. 🚀

Alfa Hamilton

Meet Alfa, she graduated from the University of Ottawa with a Bachelor of Science degree. Alfa also completed a co-op as a Business Quality Analyst in the Innovation, Science, and Economic Development for the Government of Canada. She’s based in Ottawa, Ontario and is currently a 2024 Venture for Canada Fellow. 

Alfa’s university sent out an email with different employment resources/opportunities where the Fellowship Program was mentioned. She was motivated to join because it seemed like an incredible learning experience targeted towards recent graduates like her to help them find amazing roles at startups. “I also loved that Venture for Canada put an emphasis on work-life balance, since that’s something I can struggle with at times. The Fellowship Program aligns with my long-term goals by allowing me to develop transferable skills that can be used as I discover and build my dream career,” says Alfa. 

“I would suggest that they try to push past the need of always having the “right” answer and jump outside of their comfort zones. I decided to study science because I loved knowing when something is the “right” answer but a lot of problems and situations don’t have one right answer. Also, if you’re worried because you have no business experience or education, I promise you that you have a variety of useful skills that can be applied,” explains Alfa. 

Through the different panels and workshops offered, The Fellowship Program had a very positive impact on Alfa’s personal and professional growth. She learned which domains of business she’d like to focus her job hunt on, as well as how she can use her personality traits to thrive. “I loved hearing the diverse backgrounds from the panelists regarding their career path, as some of them were extremely thought out and planned, and others were based on whatever opportunities they decided to pursue. I also indirectly learned a lot from my peers during the program and their experiences that they shared,” says Alfa. ❤️

Inspired by Omer, Sahawat, and Alfa’s stories? 

You can be next! Become one of the top 65 entrepreneurial graduates across Canada by applying for Venture for Canada’s Fellowship Program. Connect with a vibrant community and leverage your unique medical sciences background to carve a distinct path in the entrepreneurial world. Engage with like-minded individuals, redefine entrepreneurship, and start building a future where your skills set you apart.

Apply to Venture for Canada’s 2025 Cohort