Carving a path in engineering through creativity, community, and code

Why did you choose to go into your field of study at UBC?

I left high school excited to be one student among a crowd of thousands. I ended up feeling quite lonely in first year and wanting to find a closer-knit community to connect with.

I also wasn't sure what direction I wanted to head post-graduation (will I ever be sure?), but I wanted it to involve computer science. With that in mind, along with what I'd heard in first year, I was drawn to Engineering Physics' relatively smaller community, coursework spanning various disciplines including math and computer engineering, and flexibility to create your own specialization within the program.

Tell us about your experience in your program. What have you learned that is most valuable?

What I'll remember most about Engineering Physics is the community. 

Many of the most meaningful experiences I had at UBC came from this sense of community in so many ways. Walking into the Engineering Physics Project Lab worried about the next assignment that's due, but it's okay—some people have already finished the homework and are circulating, seeing if anybody would like some help. Chatting with my instructors who remember my interests and encourage me to pursue them. Spearheading initiatives such as Fizz Talks, a recurring coffeehouse-like event, and Fizz Beans, a coffee chat program. Volunteering with Engineering Physics' Student Association and Mentorship Program. Collectively scurrying from one end of campus to another in a ten-minute window between classes. 

I'm grateful for my classmates, instructors, and everyone else in the Engineering Physics community who I've been fortunate to cross paths with and learn from. I learned a lot about the value of community and connection, and I hope to pay it forward.

What advice would you give a student entering your degree program?

Something that would've helped me is being advised that my path through engineering is my own! 

I think that everyone's engineering journey looks different and there are many factors behind that. Surrounded by passionate and resilient peers, I found myself worrying about whether I was interested in the right fields (should I search for a co-op position related to a specific sector?), doing the right activities (should I apply to a design team?), going at the right pace (should I be condensing or extending my degree?), and so much more. 

I don't think there is a "right" path for me, nor is there a direct mapping of anyone's blend of interests, skillsets, and circumstances onto my life. What I do have is the path I ended up taking. In my coursework, I often encountered problems that had only one correct answer. 

But I think this challenge—the challenge of navigating my life—does not have one correct answer, and does not really have any wrong answers. 

My path is my own, and when I ground myself in that, I find that I am more capable of nurturing it.

What are your future plans to make a difference in our world?

Right now, in my career, I'd like to help make consumer products and experiences safer, more inclusive, and more equitable. On a day-to-day basis, I hope to do the things I can—whatever those things are for that day—and to continue learning, growing, and striving for better for our world.