International exchange in Australia, capstone project and co-op among UBC highlights

Why did you want to study engineering?

I always liked science in high school, so that factored into my decision. Also, my dad is a scientist who works with engineers and I realized from talking to him that engineering has some advantages over science. I wouldn’t need to do a master’s degree to get a job in my field, and as an engineer, I would be doing more hands-on problem solving.

How did you choose your program specialization?

I liked the introduction to electrical engineering in the foundation year. Before that, I thought electrical engineers only worked on powerlines, which I didn’t see as something I wanted to do. I realized how broad electrical engineering is and that it is has many applications. I also liked how you were not confined to one type of work and can branch out into many different fields.

Electrical Engineering  Foundation Year 

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What have your co-op positions been like?

I’ve done five co-op terms. One term I worked at Sierra Wireless as a software test engineer, where I tested their firmware using both manual and automated methods. My last co-op position was eight months at Smith and Anderson, an engineering consulting design firm. My role as a junior electrical designer was to decide where to place lighting in buildings they were working on, including a new hospital in Terrace. At a hospital, different rooms have different lighting requirements – from bright lights for an operating theatre compared to dimmable lights in patient rooms, with each having its own load and power requirements. I applied a lot of knowledge I’d learned in school and also learned new tools like AutoCAD and Revit.

Co-op Program  Sierra Wireless 

How do you think you might use your engineering degree to benefit society?

I want to make a positive impact and do something to contribute to society, but I am not sure exactly what that is yet. I liked working on the hospital project – that felt like I was doing something good for the community.

Any reflections on being a female engineer?

There is likely still some bias out there where people think of Mark Zuckerberg when they think of someone in engineering. But you don’t have to look that way to be good at your job or be a great engineer. There are still some stereotypes, but it’s a diverse community and I think it is getting better.