HEY THERE, I'M SALMA 👋
It's nice to e-meet you!
I'm a Systems Design Engineering student at the University of Waterloo, graduating in April 2029. I'm currently looking for a Summer 2026 internship where I can keep learning and making things that matter!
Growing up, I was always creating something. When I was not busy being a diligent student, you could find me making all sorts of things. Three-story cardboard dollhouses, crocheted blankets that never quite laid flat, dance routines I'd choreograph when I needed to think. I didn't call it "design" back then. I just called it making things I cared about.
Today, design has changed the way I see the world. It taught me that empathy isn't something you have, it's something you practice. It means stepping outside my own perspective, setting aside assumptions, and really listening to what a problem is asking for.
What draws me to design are the small details. The quiet, intentional choices that shape how someone feels using something. I’m looking for a team that cares about getting those details right, where curiosity and empathy guide decisions and ideas are shaped through iteration. A place where people enjoy asking why, debating ideas with intention, and working together to solve problems that matter.
DESIGN TOOLKIT
My Design Lens
LIFE OUTSIDE DESIGN AND ENGINEERING
My Side Quests
Inspiring Young Minds
Being the founder of the first STEM Fellowship chapter at my school, I designed the STEMettes Olympics legacy event for middle school students. Watching them collaborate through STEM challenges and light up as they explored concepts reminded me why I love creating experiences that spark curiosity.
Leading Through Sport
I've been doing gymnastics and dance since I was eight, and recently, I've stepped into coaching younger gymnasts. It's taught me discipline, creativity and how to help others build confidence, on the mat and beyond.
Bringing Leaders Together
As a Schulich Leader Scholar and Squad Captain, I organize events for our UW Schulich community and connect with other Schulich Squads across Canada. Being surrounded by innovative leaders constantly pushes me to think bigger.
Trail Explorer
Nothing beats a good walk. Golden fall sunsets with leaves crunching below my feet, or cold December nights admiring the holiday lights. It's where I process ideas, reset and remember to slow down.