U-Connect


Kasandra Hut

Meet Kasandra Hut

First-year engineering

Being an engineer will lead me to solve problems that are bigger than myself, and I want to innovate and create things to help people by improving quality of life on a global scale.

Engineering Class of 2025


5 quick questions

As cliché as it sounds, the main reason I want to be an engineer is because I want to make the world a better place. Being an engineer will lead me to solve problems that are bigger than myself, and I want to innovate and create things to help people by improving quality of life on a global scale. Another reason I want to be an engineer is because my job would rarely be boring; there's a plethora of cases and projects that require an engineer's expertise, so every job will be different!

I didn't face as many challenges getting into engineering as I did once I got in and had to create a schedule. As a student with an invisible disability, the university was extremely helpful in providing various accommodations. However, I wasn't physically able to take the full first-year course load, so I needed to split it over two years, but ironically I faced a lot of resistance when trying to modify what is called the Modified Frosh Program. There was a lot of criteria on what my schedule should look like, but I knew what I would and wouldn't be able to handle, so I pushed back against these unwritten "rules." To make a long story short, the progress I made after each appointment, each schedule draft, was minimal; but, in the end, each small step forward brought me towards my goal of coming up with a solution that satisfied all parties. I overcame these challenges by trying again and again, and employing patience, compromise, and tenacity.

My advice is to listen to your gut when it comes to making decisions, and to never doubt yourself. If you want something, go for it! If you think you need help, ask for it! You need to do what you believe is right and what is good for you. I know engineering seems intimidating and stressful, but it isn't all about the grades and the math, although it may feel that way at first. What's really important is truly understanding as well as growth, teamwork, and creativity.

Of course, there's Schulich Change Leaders and tons of clubs for just about any interest. The makerspace and Maker Multiplex labs are open to all engineering students and allow you to use your passions and learn new skills, from the Sound Lab to the Art and Textiles Room to the Welding Shop. The Engineering Student Society is an amazing resource for new students. There are also many wellness opportunities that are available to any student.

What I find most fun about engineering is learning new things and working on projects. I love science, which is why I considered engineering, but I also love problem-solving, being creative, and working with other people with different perspectives, which is why I chose engineering. It's also fun to me because I feel proud when I solve a problem, and fulfilled when I learn something new, both about the world and about myself.