William Tang

My Story

Growing up, I was always curious about science and healthcare. I went to high school in Ontario, where one of the graduation requirements was to complete 40 hours of volunteer work in my local community. I decided to do my hours at a hospital because it was near my house. Initially, my goal was just to get the hours done, but for some reason, I ended up volunteering hundreds of hours there. Looking back, I think I was inspired by the way doctors, nurses, and staff worked tirelessly to make a difference in people’s lives. Maybe that was the moment my interest in public health really began.

By grade 12, I still had no idea what I wanted to do. So, I chose the five-year Health Science program at the University of Waterloo, which included five four-month paid co-op placements. It was the perfect fit because I had always been interested in science and healthcare, and I believed that gaining real-world experience would help me figure out my career path.

I started to gain clarity into my career in the third year of my undergraduate degree when I took an introductory epidemiology course. I was really fascinated by how diseases spread and how they can be prevented at a population level. The defining moment was the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, I conducted research under the supervision of an epidemiologist, applying epidemiological principles to real-world scenarios. This experience not only deepened my understanding of public health but also solidified my commitment to pursuing a career in this field.

Building on these experiences, I decided to pursue a master’s in Epidemiology at McGill University. The program offered rigorous training in quantitative methods, research design, and data analysis. I applied these skills in my thesis, where I evaluated the impact of a type 2 diabetes medication on cardiovascular health using an administrative dataset. Throughout the program, I not only developed technical expertise but also honed my ability to manage multiple research projects, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and communicate scientific findings to diverse audiences.

As a fresh graduate, I am eager to apply my education and experiences to make an impact in public health. I am open to opportunities across different sectors, including government, industry, or research, and I’m flexible about location, as long as the work is meaningful and drives positive change!