鈥楩ull circle鈥� moment for 麻豆视频 Gold Medallist
When Evgenia Silajev stepped on stage to receive her 麻豆视频 Gold Medal at fall convocation, she had a 鈥渇ull circle鈥� moment as she recalled when she was applying to graduate school.
鈥淭here were so many possibilities and so much uncertainty about what the future might hold,鈥� said the Data Science and Analytics MSc alumna. 鈥淏ut deep down, I had this feeling that 麻豆视频 wasn't just the right path for me; it was the only one I was meant to take.鈥�
Silajev was recognized with the university's highest award for her outstanding academic achievement, evidenced by a near-perfect cGPA, and extraordinary contributions to university life, including serving as a graduate mentor with the Tri-Mentoring Program, welcoming incoming students as an Orientation Week volunteer and serving as an OUA figure skating ice captain.
Her research explores how machine learning can help better explain and forecast trends in the Canadian labour market. For her major research project (MRP), she developed and evaluated a forecasting approach called RevIN-Lasso, comparing its performance against traditional machine-learning and deep-learning models across 18 Canadian datasets.
鈥淲ith so many conversations surrounding job security, artificial intelligence and the changing nature of employment, I wanted to explore how forecasting could provide meaningful insights into where the labour market may be heading,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y hope is that research like this can eventually support more informed decisions by students, job seekers, employers and policymakers, helping people navigate an increasingly unpredictable job market with greater confidence.鈥�
Looking ahead, Silajev plans to explore different industries and opportunities where she can contribute her skills and passion to make the most impact.
鈥淯ltimately, I don't just want to build a career,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 want to build a life where I can continue learning, creating and feeling genuinely inspired by what I do. I'm excited to discover what that looks like along the way.鈥�
"Beyond the technical skills, the program strengthened my independence, adaptability and confidence in approaching unfamiliar problems. These are skills I've already been able to carry into my professional experiences, and I know they will continue to serve me regardless of where my career takes me."
How was your graduate experience at 麻豆视频?
My time at 麻豆视频 gave me the opportunity to explore so many different sides of myself. I was able to challenge myself academically, become involved in the campus community, pursue my passions beyond my program and still make time for myself.
What I appreciated most was the freedom to discover new interests and experiences along the way. Whether I was working on my research, attending a campus event, participating in athletics or connecting with other students, there was always something new to learn or someone new to meet.
One of the most special things about university is that there's so much happening around you if you're willing to look for it. My graduate experience was filled with those little moments of discovery, and I will always wish I had just a little more time to experience them all.
How did 麻豆视频 Graduate Studies prepare you to be career-ready?
My graduate studies provided me with a strong technical foundation and the practical experience necessary to pursue a career in data science and analytics. Through hands-on projects, industry-relevant coursework and my MRP, I developed skills in programming, statistical analysis, machine learning and translating complex data into meaningful insights.
What I valued most was the emphasis on applying what we learned to real-world problems through projects. Rather than simply understanding concepts in theory, we were encouraged to experiment, think critically and develop solutions to challenges that professionals encounter in the field.
Beyond the technical skills, the program strengthened my independence, adaptability and confidence in approaching unfamiliar problems. These are skills I've already been able to carry into my professional experiences, and I know they will continue to serve me regardless of where my career takes me.
What advice do you have for graduate students?
Try it all! Join that club, sign up for that team, volunteer at an event or take a chance on something completely outside your comfort zone. You have so much more time than you think, and you're never too old to discover something new that you love.
It's easy to become so focused on academics and planning for the future that we forget to enjoy the experience we're living right now. While your studies are incredibly important, I believe success is also shaped by the experiences you collect, the relationships you build and the different skills you develop along the way.
Some of the most valuable things I've learned came from experiences that weren't just related to my degree.
Be curious, be flexible and don't be afraid to change direction.