Lead. Innovate. Create Impact.
Engineering is more than technical expertise; it includes leading teams, solving complex problems, identifying opportunities, and turning ideas into action.
Build Skills That Set You Apart
The Certificates in Engineering Leadership and Entrepreneurship give you the opportunity to build these skills alongside your engineering degree, helping you become a more confident, adaptable, and career-ready engineer.
These free, non-credit programs help you to:
Any undergraduate student currently enrolled in the Schulich School of Engineering is eligible to participate.
This 3-module program consists of multiple in-person workshops delivered by subject matter experts in industry and higher education.
Upon completion of each module, a certificate of completion is provided. When all 3 modules are completed, you can earn a micro-credential.
This is a 3-year program designed to be completed prior to internship placement, however it can still be completed throughout your degree.
Certificate Core Components
Industry-led workshops
- Learn from industry subject matter experts with engineering backgrounds through practical, engaging workshops. Sessions are offered at flexible times, including lunch hours and evenings, with 60- or 90-minute options and two sessions of each workshop available between September and February.
Leadership & Entrepreneurship Conference
- Connect with engineering leaders and entrepreneurs to hear about their experiences in the profession and gain practical insights into career growth, professionalism, and preparing for the workplace. Explore trends in engineering and learn how leadership can help shape the future of the profession.
David Holub Interdisciplinary Cleantech Design Challenge
- Develop sustainable solutions by pitching a creative idea to solve a problem, while collaborating with students from the faculties of Arts, Law, Business and Science.
Earn Your Certificate or Micro-Credential
- By participating in a series of interactive workshops facilitated by industry leaders and entrepreneurs with engineering backgrounds, you can earn a Certificate of Completion per module or a micro-credential for completing all 3 modules.
Workshops
Everyone starts here
Shared Certificate Workshops:
- Leadership Styles & Entrepreneurial Mindset
- Leadership LEGO
- Giving & Receiving Feedback
- Emotional Intelligence
- Communicating for Impact
- Project Management
Offered as part of first-year course curriculum
Choose your pathway
Leadership-Specific Workshops: (2 required)
- Difficult Conversations
- Leading a Collaborative Team
Entrepreneurship-Specific Workshops: (2 required)
- MVP & Market Intelligence
- Value Propositions & Business Models
Shared Certificate Workshops: (3 required)
- Teamwork & Leadership through Improv
- Decision Making
- Negotiation Skills
- Idea Generation
- The Pitch
- Evaluating Ethical Impact and Sustainability Practices
Offered to undergraduate engineering students who have completed the Foundations Module
Deepen your expertise
Engineering Leadership Workshops: (5 required)
- Tactical Empathy: Leadership Judgement Under Pressure
- The Power of Branding & Presentation Skills
- Conflict Resolution
- Building Professional Integrity
- Self-Advocacy
Engineering Entrepreneurship Workshops: (5 required)
- How to Start a Start-Up & Protect Your IP
- Product Development, Design & Marketing
- Viability & Project Plans
- Deep Tech: Commercializing Science-Based Solutions
- New Ventures Pitch Competition
Offered to undergraduate engineering students who have completed the Development Module
If you are interested in attending any individual workshops, please connect directly with us: schulich.leadership@ucalgary.ca
Registration & Eligibility
The registration deadline for both certificates is Friday, Sept. 18th, 2026.
Certificate in Engineering Entrepreneurship
Certificate in Engineering Leadership
FAQs
Attend 5 workshops over Fall & Winter semester
Submit 2 Reflections & Surveys
Receive a micro-credential upon completion of all 3 modules
At this time, only undergraduate (BSc) engineering students are eligible to participate in Certificates in Engineering Entrepreneurship and Leadership.
The structure of the program has changed over the years to reflect feedback from students and the faculty. We aim to continue meeting engineering students where they are at by offering flexibility in workshop timing and adjusting the ways learning is assessed.
While you are permitted to enroll in both programs, we encourage you to choose the Certificate that most appeals to your professional interests.
If you’re unsure which certificate to register for, you can register for either one to start. If you decide later that the other certificate is a better fit, we can easily switch your registration.
Each level is approximately 8 total hours, consisting of workshops, seminars, and self-reflections. Additional time may be invested in developing entrepreneurial ventures.
Yes, it is possible. In-person workshops are typically offered in the evenings after regular working hours. If your internship placement is in Calgary, you can discuss attending these workshops with your supervisor.
Due to the expected workload in addition to academic classes, we recommend that students participate in only one tier per year.
These programs have built-in flexibility to account for scheduling conflicts. If you miss a workshop, you can either choose to participate in a different workshop that suits your availability in Development module, or attend a make-up bonus workshop in Application module.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to discuss ongoing challenges with workshop participation.
While the Certificate is not officially recognized by employers, we encourage participants to describe their learnings and key takeaways in resumes and interviews.
Yes; there is no restriction on the number of workshops you are permitted to attend.
Currently, our certificate programs are only open to undergraduate students.
It was one of my best academic decisions to take this certificate. I have learned so many skills that I have already been applying, and I know I will apply them soon in a professional setting.
Thalia E
CEL Participant
This course helped me understand more complex concepts of entrepreneurship and even gain valuable experience marketing our product to a panel of investors. Although informal, it helped complement my engineering skills.
Mirei M
CEE Participant