Jesika Briones
Entrepreneur and MEEI Candidate

MEEI Enterprise Development Project:
Flexible Solar Panels

Expression Comes with Confidence.

How do you build confidence when you’re a student outside of your home country where your first language isn’t spoken?

Jesika Briones has been there. A student of McMaster University’s Master of Engineering Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MEEI) program, it’s Mexico she calls home. But the uniqueness and academic design of this particular graduate program drew her to Canada, even after she was offered an attractive opportunity to study at a highly regarded university in Spain for what initially seemed like a very similar curriculum.

“When I took a closer look,” says Jesika, “I could see it was just another program that would require me to read a hundred books and write a thesis.” But with McMaster’s MEEI program , Jesika’s studies became a living, breathing project, earning her practical hands-on business experiences and skills, networking options, and connections that are already helping her build her business, her confidence, and her professional contacts.

“Results and recognition can motivate you to work harder,” she explains, and the program faculty is in the practice of supplying hefty doses of it, despite the hard work expected of their students.

Jesika emphasizes that when she feels true ownership of a project, she naturally develops an interest in seeing it grow to its fullest potential. That makes her a perfect fit for the program, where students are encouraged to take an engineering project from conception to completion – with professional and personal support being provided every step of the way, as much or as little, as needed. It’s not always easy – students are placed in real-life situations with potential but real investors, stakeholders, and partners where they could either sink or swim. Understanding business culture and “talking shop” is an important skill that’s learned, not born.

“From dealing with suppliers and customers to networking with CEOs and venture capitalists, you get it all in McMaster’s MEEI program,” smiles Jesika. She entered with a belief that she knew where she was headed and what she would gain by the time she graduated, but “the program has far surpassed my expectations.”

Now, Jesika is equipped with the “big picture” skills, knowledge and perspective, so needed for any business venture to be successful.