Toma Rahman uses the critical thinking skills she gained from her studies to analyze information, solve problems, and engage people in any role she takes on.

Where are you originally from?
I am originally from Dhaka, Bangladesh. I studied International Relations at University of Dhaka

Why did you choose Memorial for graduate studies?
I was interested in doing research on the Rohingya Refugee Crisis. Professor Isabella Cote was working on similar projects. I reached out to her and shared my interest. She was one of the biggest reasons that inspired me to choose Memorial University.

What was your degree program and area of specialization?
I completed my MA in Political Science from Memorial University. I graduated in 2021.

How would you describe your experience as a graduate student at Memorial?
I had an excellent experience at Memorial University. I had classmates from Canada, Europe, Middle East and Africa. As a lifelong student of International Relations, I considered this a great opportunity. I learned first-hand how life was like as an Iraqi woman under US occupation. I had only read about it, but nothing beats a first-hand account. The classroom size was small, unlike the university I came from. There were professors like Dr Bittner who taught me how to read a paper and think critically. I think I am still employing these skills that I learned from my graduate program.

What were some of your accomplishments during your graduate degree?
I unfortunately didn’t graduate at the top of my class. I had to finish my degree in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were financial uncertainties, harsh Newfoundland weather, I was all alone in a foreign country. Despite all these challenges I managed to finish my degree and got to meet some amazing people. Life taught me how to multitask under pressure. These are some huge accomplishments that made me unbeatable.

What are you doing now after having graduated with your master’s degree/PhD?
Right now I am working as a full-time content creator. I post educational videos on different social media platforms. My videos have helped thousands of students achieve their dreams of studying abroad. I provide information on gaining admission and securing scholarships at top universities worldwide. So far, I’ve worked with thousands of students, many of whom have secured scholarship and funding under my guidance.

Did you get a job directly after graduating?
I was working at a bank even before I graduated from Memorial University. I was one of the top performers there. I finished some licensing exams and was actively networking with people in the banking community. All my efforts helped me to secure an excellent opportunity as an Investment Specialist at BMO within seven days of graduation.

How did your graduate program help prepare you for your current job?
I have worked as a banker for four years and am currently working as a content creator. My degree was focused on Political Science. There is no direct relation between the degree and the kind of work that I did. Still, I want to say the experience of working on a research project taught me to think critically. It is extremely helpful in any professional setting. When I was working as an investment specialist, I frequently had to discuss complex taxation rules or investment strategy with my clients. Now I must present complex information through my content in such a way that engages people. Here critical thinking and ability to present is crucial. I want to say thanks to the professors like Amanda Bittner and Luke Ashworth. The reflection paper and the presentations that we had to prepare as graduate students trained us for the real world.

How did Memorial help to get you where you are today?
When I was applying to Memorial University as an international student, there was not much information available anywhere especially for humanities and social science students. I sent hundreds of emails to the School of Graduate Studies every time I encountered any hurdles in my application processing. Eventually, I secured financial assistance that allowed me to study in such an excellent institution without any cost. I have come from a humble background. I would not have been able to afford such a degree without financial assistance from Memorial University. Even now, a lot of students believe that studying abroad is for the affluent class only. I wanted to be the support I never had. The knowledge I gathered from my graduate program and the workshops arranged by SGS deeply impacted my efforts to guide Bangladeshi students.

What advice do you have for current and/or future graduate students?
If anyone from Bangladesh reading this, let me tell you the graduate program at MUN is different from what we are used to in Bangladesh. It will test your patience and resilience to the absolute max, but trust me, if you can complete the degree here, you will be prepared for any challenge that life might throw at you.

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