U-Connect

As an applied science, engineering is anchored within communities of innovators that aim to improve the lives of others. Wanting to learn from them directly, I began my journey intending to champion sustainable development and increase accessibility to engineering solutions.

I was being advised to consider a career that would lead to a "good lifestyle for a woman." However frustrating it was to receive these comments, my decision came with the unlearning of gender stereotypes and recognizing it's okay to have high aspirations. Luckily, I met female mentors in engineering and worked with them on a project as they typically would on campus. The encouragement and insights that they shared were invaluable to me in deciding my future career path.

First of all, that's very exciting! Although I am biased and would be delighted to have you join, I will emphasize one point: Don't limit the scope of your career by what you think you can accomplish. Success in engineering, or any other STEM discipline, is often portrayed as being heavily based on having unearthly math and coding skills. These preconceived images limit our potential, and in my experience, the students that are most capable of excellence are those that are curious and collaborative.

On another note, if you are interested in seeking postgrad education such as medical school or graduate studies, engineering can be a great stepping stone. You will be able to build the necessary skills throughout your undergraduate degree, and the industry you choose to pursue will benefit from your technical background. You may find yourself at a crossroads while having to choose a program of study after high school, but the truth is, you won't be restricting yourself to any one path through an engineering degree.

Schulich hosts many conferences focused on equity, diversity and inclusion that allow students to represent their peers through advisory committees. In addition to that, the technical clubs and students' societies are well-supported and encouraged to take the initiative of developing a culture of inclusivity. There are also many opportunities for subsidized travel. Students can receive funding to work, study, or volunteer abroad, and the student services team ensures that these opportunities can be taken advantage of by all.

The community here is very supportive! Although the coursework gets heavy at times, some of my best moments come from frantic, last-minute study sessions with my friends. The "aha" moments that follow our discussions remind us that we are all one step closer to actualizing our goals. Beyond the scope of our classes, we often collaborate on projects with meaningful applications. Being able to meet experts in the field and learn from immersive experiences is very exciting.