Using chemical engineering to launch a consulting career in environmental assessment

Pauline Mengote didn’t expect her degree in chemical engineering to lead to a career in environmental assessment. Now working on major infrastructure, mining and renewable energy projects across B.C., her path shows how engineering opens up opportunities across industries and sectors. 

Pauline Mengote Headshot

Pauline Mengote

  • Degree:
    • Bachelor of Applied Science
  • Grad year: 2021
  • Program:
  • Campus: Vancouver

What kind of work do you do and what is its impact? 

I’m an environmental assessment and permitting specialist at WSP. My role is to help clients understand the environmental impacts of their projects — not just on the natural environment, but on the communities of people who live in and around the project area. I also support clients to navigate the regulatory and permitting requirements for the construction and operation of their projects. 

My work is very diverse and has included consulting on mining projects, renewable energy projects, and a major transportation project in B.C.  

WSP

What does your day-to-day job look like? 

A big part of my job is co-ordination — bringing together the engineering team, the client, the biologists and other specialists to make sure we’re aligned on project deliverables, on schedule and meeting expectations. I also contribute to writing sections of environmental assessments, which I really enjoy. It allows me to build an understanding of both technical project details and complex regulatory requirements.

What surprised you most about where your engineering degree has taken you? 

When I was in university, I didn’t realize environmental assessment was even an option. My engineering degree didn’t limit me to a narrow specialty. 

Instead, it opened doors to different industries and roles I hadn’t considered. 

Tell us about your path after graduating. 

I graduated in 2021 — right in the middle of COVID — but I was fortunate to find a job within two months. My first role was at Source Environmental Associates, a consulting company based in North Vancouver, where I primarily worked to provide environmental and technical advisory services on behalf of First Nations clients, supporting their interests in mining projects. It was in this role that I was first introduced to environmental assessment work. That experience led me to my current role at WSP. 

Source Environmental Associates

Why did you choose to study at UBC — especially coming from Abu Dhabi? 

I grew up in Abu Dhabi, which is a small city, and I wanted to experience something bigger and push myself outside my comfort zone. I had never been to Vancouver before moving here for first year, but I knew UBC had a strong reputation and that I’d get a high-quality education. And the location is unbeatable — mountains in the distance, a beach on campus and so many parks and trails. I don’t even mind the rain! 

Any highlights from your time at UBC? 

My capstone design project in fourth year was a major highlight. My team developed a process to treat acid mine drainage, and we won two awards for our presentation — voted on by industry professionals and faculty. 

Having a full year to work on a real problem with a team was incredibly valuable and gave me good insight into what it’s like to work in industry. 

I also did summer work terms, including assisting a professor with compiling and analyzing data sets for their research. 

These work experiences were important in helping me apply what I learned in class and build my network and resume. 

And beyond academics, UBC has such a great atmosphere — lots to do, lots of support and a beautiful campus. 

Did studying engineering change how you think and solve problems? 

Definitely. Engineering teaches you to think systematically — to break down problems, understand constraints and work collaboratively. Those skills show up constantly in consulting, where you’re working with multi-disciplinary teams to develop solutions that meet technical, regulatory and other various expectations. 

Did your engineering education prepare you for your career? 

Yes. Beyond the technical knowledge, the most valuable skills were teamwork, communication and collaboration. My experience with capstone and my work terms taught me how to work in interdisciplinary teams, build and maintain meaningful relationships, and solve complex problems, which are all essential in my career where I routinely work across technical teams, clients, and environmental regulators. 

Any advice for students considering engineering? 

Join design teams or clubs. Looking back, I wish I had been more involved, not just for gaining more technical skills but for meeting people, learning from others and making connections with students and faculty. 

Another piece of advice is to take advantage of the resources on campus. There’s a lot of support available if you need it! 

Student in a lab using a micropipette.

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