You know those people who, no matter what, will always look on the bright side of any situation? Serisha Iyar is one of them. “My favourite study spot is McLennan 1st Floor at 4AM during finals. You can watch the sun rise while studying for that 9AM exam!” What a beautiful depiction of what is a truly stress-inducing situation.
In addition to dedicating herself to her demanding studies, the U3 Political Science Major and World Religions Minor student also pledges her time and energy to various causes that pertain to her inspiring visions. “Most of the organizations I’m involved with surround some form of advocacy with the hope of evoking change through feminism, social justice and leadership initiatives. I’m privileged to have access to an education and I believe that with this privilege comes the responsibility to use my growing bank of knowledge in a way that creates progressive change.” Wise words from the Co-President of McGill Women in Leadership Students’ Association and the VP Internal for Women in International Security Canada at McGill.
Serisha’s passion for the associations she believes in so fiercely is both palpable and contagious. “I get to focus on creating events that highlight women in specified fields and encourage more female representation within the global workforce, which inherently affects me as a woman. Being able to work alongside two groups of incredible women on campus and spotlight a diverse set of accomplished women is always uplifting.” It’s heartening to meet a woman who uses her own personal experiences as motivation to implement political changes, or at the very least, political awareness of various social justice issues. At this point in our interview I think it’s fair to say that Serisha is the epitome of girl power.
So, what is this go-getter planning for post-grad life? “There are also organizations I work with that cater to what I want to focus on after graduation, specifically: policy development, humanitarian advocacy, and peaceful and constructive dialogue. I get to work within all three as a SSMU Rep on the McGill Joint Board-Senate Equity Subcommittee on Racialized and Ethnic Persons, VP Sponsorship for McGill Students Refugee Alliance, and as a U of Mosaic Fellow for The Mosaic Institute’s Fellowship Program.” Just a sidenote: the next time you think you’re overwhelmed with school, work and other extracurricular engagements, just remember that I’ve counted not two, not three, not four clubs and organizations that Serisha is part of, but five. Five. “Gaining experiences through groups that reflect my professional interests while in university for me is beneficial because I get to actively participate while still learning more about each specific area.”
But wait, there’s more! “This year I was lucky enough to again be involved with groups relating to my areas of study by joining the Religious Studies Undergraduate Society as VP Events.” So, that makes Serisha a member of six societies. “After working with the Political Science Students’ Association last year under the Academic Portfolio organizing department research brunches, I decided to shift gears from participating within my major to try and incorporate my minor field as well – essentially getting the best of both worlds.”
Aside from academics and McGill extracurriculars, Serisha is also dabbling in the App world with a new program called Pre. Currently available on the Canadian App Store, Pre allows you to stay connected with your squad by encompassing your location, ETA, a live map and picture updates of where you are and where your next hang out is happening. Even if your friends, family or roommates aren’t on the app, they’ll still receive text message notifications letting them know the WhoWhatWhenWhere&Why of your group’s meet-up.
“I joined Pre as a student ambassador to help grow the app within Montreal and throughout the McGill community. On a daily basis I get to forge relationships with organizations on campus, provide feedback on the app itself and gain experience working with a start-up. I got my position with Pre through McGill Women in Leadership Students’ Association (MWIL) when Min Wei, co-founder and COO of Pre, reached out to us looking for a strategic partnership.” Min had this to say about MWIL and proactive members like Serisha: “I love what MWIL is doing to help educate, showcase, and empower students to become the next generation of women leaders. As a fellow female, I want to work with and support such an organization. I’ve been incredibly impressed and humbled by my interactions with McGill students – smart, motivated, and full of potential!” Serisha firmly believes that women like Min and other females she works with in the multiple McGill associations she’s become a core member of are what motivates her. “Having women like Min reach out to students via campus organizations like MWIL really motivates us to continue working hard on fulfilling our mandate, and personally, proves that what we spend so much time doing outside of our academic requirements is definitely worth it.”
Does this Wonder Woman have any advice for incoming first year students on how to get involved, stay on top of your workload, and keep indulging your interests in your field of study? Serisha advocates for going with your gut. “I would suggest to first year students wanting to get involved on campus to simply go with what you’re most comfortable with. The transition to university can be difficult sometimes, and if you need a little time to adjust, that’s more than okay. I was involved in a lot of extra-curricular activities in high school but only started getting involved on campus during my second year of university.” For some it might be best to dive right in and seek out opportunities with groups during your first year and for others it might prove better to wait and check out all your options. Either way I can attest that getting involved and holding leadership positions have been some of the best experiences I’ve had at McGill.” So get out there, get involved, and whether your pace is slow and steady or dive in head first, Serisha is living proof that immersing yourself in all the opportunities McGill has to offer can only enrich your university experience.
All photos obtained from interviewee