Celebrating the Shad alum named 2024 Schulich Leaders – Patrick Huynh
Q: How does it feel to be named a Schulich Leader?
I was in the middle of making gnocchi with my table group in foods class and had some downtime while waiting for our potatoes to boil when suddenly my phone started ringing. When I picked up the phone, I found out I was named one of the Schulich Leaders for the University of British Columbia. I was in so much shock—I didn’t even know what to say. It feels incredibly surreal and such an honour to receive such a prestigious award. Being recognized for my hard work over the years means so much to me, and it inspires me to continue striving for excellence and making a positive impact.
Q: What motivates your passion for STEAM/Entrepreneurship?
My passion for STEAM and entrepreneurship is driven by my curiosity and desire to solve problems. I’ve always been fascinated by how science and technology can be used to improve our lives and address some of the biggest challenges we face. Knowing that I can make a difference by leveraging these fields motivates me immensely. Being able to apply my knowledge on science fair projects, engineering challenges, and also the Shad design project has brought out my passion for STEAM.
Q: At Shad we are leaders in social innovation, how do you plan to use #STEAM4Good?
I want to help make change by engineering solutions to our world’s problems. One area of technology I can see myself innovating in is cybersecurity. With so many things now being online, I want to use tools like artificial intelligence or quantum computing to safeguard the internet. No matter what the future holds, I will use my skills to better our world.
Q: What lessons would you share with incoming Shads?
For all those incoming Shads out there, build connections and maintain positive relationships. It is so important to expand your circle because it also opens more opportunities for you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or to fail because the experience that you gain is invaluable to your later success.
