This article is part of a series focusing on the grads of the AV俱乐部 Class of 2025. Spring Convocation takes place May 30 and from June 9-19 in Halifax and Truro. Read all our profiles聽here in one place聽as they are published.
Mohammed Hamedelniel keeps a list of his goals. It guides his choices and pushes him to aim higher.
Before he arrived in Halifax to study, that list included learning more about real estate, completing an internship and setting himself up for a master鈥檚 degree.聽
Initially intending to enrol in the Bachelor of Commerce Co-op (BComm Co-op) program, he had to change gears when the class was full. He was offered two choices: wait until January to transfer in or start in the Bachelor of Management program immediately.
鈥淚 was like, 'Put me in management now,'鈥� he says. 鈥淚鈥檝e never looked back.鈥�
From side hustle to start-up
Hamedelniel is one of very few students who chose an Entrepreneurial Work Term (or EWT) for his optional eight-month internship.
鈥淵ou submit your letter of intent and your resume and then you go through two group interviews,鈥� he explains. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not as straightforward as the typical internship, but it's worth it.鈥�
It鈥檚 not as straightforward as the typical internship, but it's worth it
With guidance from his advisor, Shakara Russell, he scaled up a business he鈥檇 already started. Elfatih, named after his grandfather, began as a business that helped landlords manage student properties.聽
鈥淭he students wouldn't take their garbage out on time, so I'd get paid to go take pictures, and then it started growing into like cutting the grass, making sure the snow was plowed.鈥澛�
Now Elfatih has grown into a full-fledged property development company specializing in student housing with a team of employees. The company is building real-estate solutions for the student market 鈥� something he鈥檚 been doing while pursuing his degree and playing on Dal鈥檚 varsity rugby team.
Friends for life
Juggling business and studies hasn鈥檛 been easy. A turning point came when studying statistics and Hamedelniel realized he needed support. 鈥淚f you put in the time, go to office hours, ask questions 鈥� you鈥檒l build rapport with your professors.鈥�
Faculty like Dr. Paulette Skerrett, who teaches both the introductory and capstone course, and Dr. Najah Attiq, whose passion brought financial management to life, played a vital role in his journey.聽 聽
Hamedelniel鈥檚 advice to any new student is to get involved in a society. As the outgoing president of the Dal Management Society, he says that鈥檚 he鈥檚 made friends for life. Not just a social group, the society plans networking events, case competitions and workshops. He says he feels like he鈥檚 part of 鈥渙ne big family.鈥澛�
Born in Sudan and raised in multiple cities across Canada, Hamedelniel now proudly calls the East Coast home.
Whether it鈥檚 walking along the waterfront, picking up black licorice and peanut snacks from the Farmer鈥檚 Market, or continuing to grow Elfatih, he鈥檚 here to stay.聽 聽
As for the list of goals, the master鈥檚 degree is still on it 鈥� along with a growing vision for his company, the community, and his future.聽 聽