Zoha Bilal Syed

Being part of the fellowship was a very special and resourceful experience for me. I gained access to not only valuable and practical tools and skills, but also made connections with mentors and role models who inspired me to work harder, and taught me that there is no limit to success. I found my ”North Star” thanks to fellowship, and the support I gained for my passions motivated me to keep going, which is why I wouldn’t have wanted to spend my summer any other way.

Zoha Bilal Syed is a high school student from Canada with a wide range of interests in STEM, including math, engineering, and chemistry. In addition to STEM, Zoha is especially passionate about art, design, and the humanities. Zoha started an art business called Zoha’s Palette, where she creates custom paintings and hosts pop-up events. She also founded a Literary Society at her school and is currently writing a book inspired by a Pakistani folk tale.

Eager to work at the intersection of arts and STEM, Zoha is interested in studying architecture. Outside of academics, she is learning Arabic and serves as the recruitment coach for her school’s Relay for Life team. Read on to discover more about Zoha’s journey and her vision for merging creativity with STEM!

Meet Zoha!

How did you initially become interested in STEM?

It’s a funny story — when I was younger, I was actually very opposed to STEM! A lot of my family members are doctors, and growing up, they would also tell me that I should become a doctor. Then, when AI started growing quickly, everyone began telling me that I should get into computer science. I think I was just opposed to STEM because it felt like it was just what everyone was telling me to do.

As I grew older, I started realizing that STEM is not such a narrow field, and that it can be very interdisciplinary. I’ve always loved the arts and humanities and realized I could combine these passions with STEM. Around two to three years ago, I started getting interested in everything STEM! There was a phase where I wanted to become a doctor, then an astrologist, then an environmental activities, and even a forensic scientist. I was honestly so indecisive up until the fellowship! Now, I’m still interested in a pretty broad range of fields, but I’m the most interested in math, engineering, and chemistry. I’m also still very passionate about graphic design and the arts, and I hope to pursue architecture in the future because it combines my interests in STEM with art and design.

Thats awesome! Could you tell us more about your interests in the arts and humanities?

I’ve always loved the arts and humanities, so this year, I started a Literary Society at my school with a friend. We formed an executive team, planned book club meetings, and have lots of events lined up for the year. At my old school, we had a similar club, and I felt it was something we needed here too. We’ll read a book each month or short stories every few weeks, followed by group discussions. To engage more students, we’re also planning fun activities like movie nights and scavenger hunts.

I also have a small art business called Zoha’s Palette, where I focus on painting and creating custom pieces. Some clients send me pictures, like wedding photos, and I paint them as commissions. I’ve done this several times, and it’s a great way to keep improving my art, especially since I don’t have art as a course at school. Beyond paintings, I enjoy making jewelry—using clay, thread, and other materials, though I mainly create those pieces for friends rather than for commission.

On the side, I’m currently in the process of writing a book! The book is a fictional story based on an old Pakistani folk tale. In it, the main characters uncover an ancient myth that turns out to be true, leading them on an unexpected adventure. In my free time, I love watching shows to study how they build story arcs and develop characters, using them as inspiration.

What else do you enjoy doing outside of school?

Outside of school, I enjoy painting and drawing, and recently, I started doing puzzles with my sister. We’ve been working on a 1,000-piece puzzle for the past two weeks, and we’re almost done—just a little bit left! I’ve also started learning Arabic. I think learning another language is such a valuable skill, and I’d also like to better communicate with my friends and family who speak Arabic. In the mornings, I also enjoy playing badminton to stay active, and I love going on walks with my family!

Summer Experience

Could you share your favorite part about the fellowship?

Honestly, there was so much happening in the fellowship, and everything about it was amazing! But if I had to pick, I’d say one of my favorite parts was the EdStem boards, where we could interact and have discussions with other fellows. They gave us a space to really see what other fellows were working on, and it was inspiring to see the different projects and passions everyone was working on.

For example, I remember Sarah had a magazine project called "Proton Post," which was so impressive that she's creating a magazine on her own. Another student, Precious, was working on a campaign to support girls in developing countries with their periods. Seeing all these amazing initiatives made me realize how passionate and driven everyone was. Plus, all the fireside chats were incredibly informative, and everyone was just so nice. It really made the whole experience special.

Did you have a favorite fireside chat or talk from the summer?

Yes, absolutely. Zoya Surani’s Fireside Chat really stood out to me. Her campaign, iConquer, focuses on tackling childhood obesity, which I think is such an important yet often overlooked issue. A lot of people think of obesity as something that develops later in life, but addressing it in kids is crucial for their health as they grow up. I loved how she combined her interest in medicine with creating an NGO. It inspired me to realize that I don’t have to limit myself—I can blend different interests and make an impact in multiple areas at once. Zoya was also an incredible speaker; it felt like listening to a story. And since she’s also from Pakistan, her journey really resonated with me.

I also really enjoyed hearing from female mentors, like Jenny. Seeing her thrive in a male-dominated field like gaming was incredibly inspiring. I used to see engineering as something mainly for boys, but hearing her story helped me realize that it’s open to anyone. She showed me that engineering is not just for boys, and I can pursue that path if I wanted to.

What was the most valuable skill you learned over the summer?

I’d say one of the most important skills I picked up was cold emailing. I feel like everyone probably says this, but it really is essential. Since learning it, I’ve actually been reaching out to people and getting responses! For instance, with my small business, I’ve been emailing people who have a lot of followers and similar interests, and I was even able to make a painting for someone through cold emailing—they replied, and it brought a lot of new viewership to my work. I wouldn’t have done that if the fellowship hadn’t shown me it’s okay to just go for it. It’s been useful beyond my business too. To pursue my interest in architecture, I’ve been cold emailing professors and different programs, and I’ve gotten replies there as well. I never would’ve tried this before.

Also, one of the mentors, Isabella, shared her “Life Spreadsheet,” which I’ve been using ever since. It’s kind of a variation of a ‘brag sheet,’ and it’s helped me keep track of what I’ve done and what I can work on in the future.

What advice would you give to future participants of the fellowship?

My biggest advice would be to make the most of the fellowship and really take advantage of everything it offers. There are so many resources, and you also have access to so many amazing mentors. I would really encourage you to branch out and try to learn about other fields too. Even if someone isn’t directly in your field, talking to a variety of people is valuable because you can draw inspiration from different paths and perspectives.

Also, don’t be intimidated or feel overwhelmed by all the mentors and other students! I remember feeling like everyone was so accomplished and amazing, and it made me think, “Wait, what am I doing here?” But the whole point of the fellowship is to show that these mentors were once in our shoes not too long ago, and show us that we also have the potential to achieve great things. It was inspiring to realize that all the mentors were just once like us and that we all share the same potential.

Future Aspirations

What are your goals for the next 5 years?

For university, I’m hoping to pursue something in architecture. I’m not entirely set on becoming an architect per se, but I know I want to work within that field. I’m still figuring out if I want to focus more on the engineering side or the design aspect, though I think I’m leaning toward engineering. I thought architecture would be a great combination of my interests in both STEM and the arts. The universities I’m aiming for are the University of Toronto and Waterloo, which have strong architecture programs in Canada. So, ideally, I’d love to graduate from one of those. I also hope to have my book published within the next five years and to see my business continue to grow—hopefully at an even faster pace than it is right now!

How did the fellowship influence your career aspirations?

The fellowship really helped me clarify my career interests, and it showed me that I don’t have to fit into a specific box. I realized I can work at the intersection of multiple fields, and currently, architecture feels like the perfect blend because it combines my interests in art and design with STEM and involves engineering, math, and physics.

One of the mentors, Isabella, shared something that really stuck with me: “You don’t have to figure out what you want to do for the rest of your life; you just need to figure out what you want to do next.” That advice has given me so much clarity, and it’s helped me narrow in and focus on my goals.

What have you been up to after the fellowship?

Since the fellowship, I’ve been staying busy with a few different things! I mentioned the book club I started, so that’s been taking up some of my time, and I’m also excited to book more gigs for my art business. This semester is packed—I have all three sciences and math, so I’m focused on keeping my grades up.

Outside of schoolwork, I set up my LinkedIn! The fellowship’s ideathon on professional development taught us how to use LinkedIn to find opportunities, and it’s been really helpful. I’ve been connecting with local architects and exploring co-op opportunities at my school for next semester.

I’m also involved with Relay for Life, an organization that raises funds for the Canadian Cancer Society. I have an executive role as the recruitment coach for my school’s team, so I’ve been helping plan fundraising events throughout the year. It’s kept me busy and has been really rewarding!