Sharana Saini
Tell us about yourself and what you are currently studying at UVic.
My name is Sharana, and I am the director of Human Resources with UVic Women in Science (WIS). I am currently in my fourth year of psychology here at UVic.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I was born and raised on the Island and love swimming, but I am terrified of the ocean!
What made you first get involved with UVic WIS?
I first heard about UVic WIS at club day, and I wanted to get involved, meet more like-minded people, and use my voice as a person of colour in an initiative for minority women.
What are your future career goals?
I have been working towards dental school to hopefully one day work as a dentist here in Victoria.
Some people find out they are interested in science at a young age, while some find out much later. Tell us about how this experience was for you.
At a young age, I found myself interested in science and enjoyed science classes. Around high school, I had health issues, so I was not in class as much and had to miss a lot of school; my grades went down due to this, and it discouraged me a lot. I got help for my health issues, which gave me more insight into how impactful the healthcare system is. After getting the help, I saw my grades improve. It was motivating, helped my self-esteem, and helped me believe in my abilities in the sciences.
What is your favourite non-stem hobby/activity?
I love painting, and I also do henna art!
What is one piece of advice you have for people looking to get into your field?
For Psychology, even though everyone thinks it's a lot of memorization, the most helpful technique for me was generating my own ideas from the content teached. One way I do this is by making mind maps about the topics. Try to put your own spin on it and generate examples for the concepts you are learning. Try to understand the content rather than memorize it. For psychology, many of the same concepts come back each year, so it is helpful to really understand them.
What is your favourite way to relieve stress and recharge after a hard day?
I enjoy going to the gym, and I like to leave my workouts until the end of the day so I am done with all my schoolwork and homework and can go to the gym and not think about it. It is a great way to relieve stress.
What media are you currently consuming? Music, podcasts, books, movies?
For movies, I watch only Bollywood movies. One of my favourite romcoms I have seen recently is Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. It has a lot of the same messaging as something like the Barbie movie about feminism and also touches on female roles in society and marriage. For music, I listen to a lot of Hindi and Punjabi music. I have also been reading the A Court of Thornes and Roses series and am currently on the second one. Lastly, I am a huge fan of the Game of Thrones series!
Who is someone that inspires you and why?
My aunt inspires me; she is a dentist, and I work in her office. She has been my inspiration and motivation. She is such a great mentor and always gives me great advice. Just watching her work, I have learned so much about what goes into being a good healthcare provider.
What do you feel you have gained by being part of WIS?
I have gained a connection to a community that aligns with myself and have gained confidence in my capabilities. I was very shy in the beginning, but through the process of being in a director position and having a lot of responsibility, I have opened up and gained confidence.
