After graduating from UBC this past June, I was elated to learn that many of my peers would be joining me in Calgary as we started our careers. Numerous attempts to plan a weekend hike followed by a get-together were squashed by an unseasonable amount of rain that Calgary has experienced this summer. It seems that we brought the rainy Vancouver weather with us! We ultimately had to scrap the hike plans and settle for a mid-week get-together, one that couldn't be rained out and would fit with all of our schedules.
The six of us that ended up being able to make it represented my university experience very well. Included in the group were roommates of mine, past and present; friends made in Jumpstart before my first ever class; friends made on co-op work terms; and classmates throughout my degree. We also represented three disciplines: my own Electrical, as well as Mechanical and Engineering Physics. Being unable to hike, we settled for a pizza and games night. We had a blast playing Codenames, Dutch Blitz, and a couple of card games in between our slices. Later on, we broke out Mario Kart to see if driving in Calgary had improved our skills at all!
At around 9 o’clock, the event died down (it was a work night after all!), and we said our goodbyes. This event proved to be a great opportunity for new connections to be made. I had the pleasure of watching my friends from various aspects of my university career come together and share stories. With a shared experience of attending UBC and starting our careers in Calgary, we had a great time throughout the night. The locals who grew up in Calgary answered our questions about the mysteries of Deerfoot Trail and what we can expect in the coming winter months, while confusing us with the neighborhoods that “everyone knows!”
Starting a career in a new city has been full of challenges and new surprises, and I think I speak for all of us when I say it was great to be together with friends from university to bring some comfort and familiarity to our lives.
Submitted by Brandon Just, BASc '25
