“I think an engineering degree will give me the ability to design a new mine reclamation style that any other degree would not have been able to provide.”
Nathan Skubovius
- Degree: Bachelor of Applied Science
- Grad year: 2019
- Program:
- Campus: Vancouver
Nathan Skubovius is a member of the Tahltan Nation. At UBC, he was president of the UBC Mining Undergraduate Club and captain of the UBC Mine Rescue team. Nathan completed an architecture and engineering technologies diploma from Thompson Rivers University and worked as an engineering draftsman at the New Afton mine. He then worked for Teck at their Schaft Creek exploration camp, and then for Pretivm as a mining engineer student at the Brucejack Mine. He went on to work for the Tahltan Central Government in land use planning and most recently, for Kutcho Copper Corp as a geological engineering student. Nathan has started, and currently helps manage, a non-profit called Tene Mehodihi which is a high school adventure program that focuses on combining education and culture to give student a passion to pursue a post-secondary education.
Why did you choose engineering?
I choose engineering because after completing my architectural and engineering technologies diploma I knew I wouldn’t be able to sit at the design table for a new mining project with only a diploma.
What has made your time at UBC the most memorable?
The connections I made over the last four years in the mining engineering program as well as developing the Tene Mehodihi non-profit.
What have you learned in engineering that is most valuable?
I was very involved with the mining engineering undergraduate society. In my final year I was elected president of the society. I was also the UBC mine rescue team captain for the past two years.
How are you applying the skills you learned through your studies at UBC?
Engineering has taught me how to manage many projects at the same time. I use those skills today running the Tene Mehodihi non-profit.
What has been your most memorable non-academic experience studying engineering at UBC?
Attending the Mine Expo conference in Nevada; this showed me what the industry is like and where it is going.
How do you feel a degree in engineering has benefitted you compared to a different field of study?
I think an engineering degree will give me the ability to design a new mine reclamation style that any other degree would not have been able to provide.
What advice would you give a student considering engineering?
If you are considering engineering make sure to study and do all the math homework.
Where do you find your inspiration?
I find my inspiration in different landscapes. I enjoy hiking and adventure which brings me out on the land away from the city.
What are your plans for the future?
Future plans involve working towards my P.Eng and getting some more mining experience. After that I am up for new adventures.
