Charelle Anobile

Tecumseh, Ontario
Graduating with an honours BASc in industrial engineering with a minor in business

How did you pick your major of study, and why did you choose the University of Windsor?

I wasn’t one of those kids who always knew what they wanted to be when they grew up. By the time I entered high school, I still had no idea what I wanted to do after my four years. However, I liked the idea of university; I thought it would be a good challenge for me.

I can remember being in grade 10, trying to decide what courses to take the next year because teachers has already started pressuring us into planning for the next step. I had to see the school’s guidance counselor because I had no idea what my options were. I told her my favourite subject was math and that my highest marks had been in math, physics, English and physical education. I figured those things didn’t really add up to a clear-cut university program choice, and other than being a teacher, I didn’t know any specific job options relating to what I was interested in. She told me that if I kept my grades up and started taking chemistry, I would have a great chance getting accepted in any engineering program. So I took that and ran with it – I had set a goal for myself to become an engineer even though I had no idea what that meant. I started looking into different engineering programs and it was a female industrial engineering student that happened to supply me with a lot of my information. She was trying to recruit more women to industrial engineering and I thought it sounded like something I could be good at.

As for my choice to come to the University of Windsor, well that was easy. The University of Windsor has a nationally ranked track and field team and lucky for me, the hurdles coach for the varsity team had been my coach since I was 11. He taught me everything I know about the sport, so it was a no-brainer. And it just so happened that the University of Windsor offered the strand of engineering I wanted. I applied to other universities around Ontario but choosing Windsor was an easy decision that I have never looked back on.

What were your expectations of university? Has the University of Windsor met those expectations?

In terms of workload, my expectations of university were as harsh as I could make them – more difficult subjects, more assignments, longer classes, harder practices, more challenging exams – no walk in the park. As for the social aspect, I had great expectations – new people to meet, parties, a new team, freedom to be whomever you feel like being, time and space to grow up and figure out where you want to be in five years and what path you need to get on to get there, etc.

The University of Windsor exceeded my best and worst expectations. On one hand, some classes I didn’t think I would survive, but on the other hand, I’ve had so many great memories in and out of the classroom that far outweigh any difficulties my professors could throw at me.

What would you say is the most important thing you have learned at university: about yourself, about other people, about your field of study, or about the world?

I am sure most alumni would agree that the most important thing you can learn in university is the art of balancing your life. Time management is a skill that I learned very quickly at university – because I don’t think I would’ve made it through the past five years without it. But above that, I think the most important thing I have learned is that no matter what challenges life throws at you or what obstacles there are, if you are willing to work hard and have self-motivation, anything can be accomplished. Desire outweighs ability in terms of success – if you want something badly enough, you will figure out how to succeed and learn from your failures.

What would you say has been the most memorable part of your UWindsor experience?

For me, the most memorable part of my University of Windsor experience took place outside the classroom, a little off-campus, at the St. Denis Centre – a place that will forever be Our House. Being a Lancer for five years, contributing to three straight national track and field championships and countless other accomplishments, and competing for a team that I could call my family; these are the memories that I will cherish the most and will fondly look back on for years to come. Not very many university students will get to experience these things, so I am very grateful to be one of the few who did. Once a Lancer, always a Lancer.

Please tell us why you are proud to be part of the University of Windsor’s graduating class of 2011.

I am proud to be a graduate because I succeeded as one of the few women in a challenging, male-dominated program. I am proud to be a University of Windsor graduate because I feel like I can give back to a city that has given me so much over my 21 years living in the area. But most importantly, I am proud to be part of the graduating class of 2011 because by taking a fifth year, I was able to help the Lancer women’s track and field team receive our third straight CIS banner and I became an obligated engineer in the 50^th year Windsor’s Camp 14 has been welcoming students to the profession.

Did you have a course, professor or classmate who inspired you?

Out of all my classes in five years of industrial engineering, I happened to meet Dr. Jill Urbanic in my final year as a student. Being one of the few female professors I had been taught by, she would’ve made an impression regardless of having spoken to me personally. But she made more than just an impression, she had great influence over my work in my final Capstone project, my future plans for work and possible graduate studies, and of course, she positively influenced my views as a female becoming an Engineer. Her passion for the profession and motivations as an educator truly inspired me to take great pride in my work. And if she ever reads this, I hope she continues to push her students and believe they can do great things.

What are your plans following graduation?

I have already entered the working world in hopes of gaining experience. I have accepted a full-time position at a steel processing company here in Windsor. However, I do plan on continuing my education with graduate studies in the future.