When I was applying to scholarships in my graduating year of high school in 2013, I pulled some strings and reached out to previous winners for tips on improving my application. Not only did most of them offer little tip by tip, some of the students (who were complete strangers to me before I reached out!) even met with me to help me prepare for my interviews. Later that year, I was fortunate enough to be offered over $200 000 in scholarships.

From this experience and from speaking with fellow scholars I've met since, I learned that the road to success is not one you need to travel down alone - a valuable network and a drive to mine its resources are almost fail-proof ways to get you where you want.

So to pass on the kindness I received in my graduating year, I'm looking to connect motivated students like you to my own network this March 5th at STEMposium, a high school conference hosted at Western University.

STEMposium is the first of its kind in Canada and is targeted towards motivated students interested in Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Technology. A free and private lunch with major scholarship winners is just a portion of what's offered. Medical school students, NASA interns, engineers and hackers alike will also be present at the event to pass on all they know to you - the future of STEM. Professors will teach you how to get involved in research early (perhaps even now!) and follow with workshops on international opportunities, coding and more.

If you want to become a part of this network, the deadline to register for STEMposium is Sunday, February 21st and you can do so at http://www.womeninscienceuwo.com/conference.html. Success doesn't have to be an unknown or an isolating goal. Adopt the key habits proven by past scholarship winners and open yourself to the resources that are right in front of you. Hope to network with you soon.