What brought you to UPEI? Why did you choose to study here?

UPEI was an appealing option for study as I'm from Park Corner, Prince Edward Island; I had grown up on the Island and value giving back to the community that helped to build who I am today. Being an advocate and ally for the community is very important to me. Logically, UPEI’s community-based nature and integration with local businesses and not-for-profits gave it a competitive edge as I knew I would be able to attain my personal goals while simultaneously reaching my professional goals.

What do you find unique and interesting about your program?

UPEIs engineering program is quite unique compared to most engineering programs offered across the country. The integration of yearly design studios through the undergraduate engineering program is beyond valuable and has provided me a unique value proposition and selling point as many of the communication and professional expectations are often not learned until students enter the job market. We're provided not only with skills but also a supportive environment to navigate and improve those skills. This significantly shortens the gap from moving between an undergraduate and EIT (Engineering Internship). The real-world, hands-on nature of the projects provide invaluable learning, often incorporating or encouraging practice of technical work in a real life scenario.

What kinds of support have you received during your time here from UPEI students, staff, and UPEI faculty members?

UPEI provides many necessary and helpful resources. I have had the opportunity to work with experiential education in workplaces and participate in case competitions. The Health and Wellness Centre along with academic and personal counselling services makes it convenient and easy to balance taking care of myself while juggling a full workload and schedule. The Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering provided support to attend conferences, help solidify the starting of an EngiQueers Canada chapter, and are always excited and open to hearing student ideas on how to improve the engineering student culture throughout the building and program.

What opportunities have you experienced because you're studying at UPEI, or because of the Island location?

Since both the Island and the UPEI community are smaller, there is greater access to local companies and professionals. I’ve had the opportunity to build rapport and gain insight into organizations without necessarily working for them, which has broadened my understanding of the industry landscape on Prince Edward Island. Class sizes also make it easier to form meaningful relationships with students, staff, and faculty. That access creates more space for mentorship, collaboration, and support when pursuing individual goals. It has made initiatives like starting an EngiQueers Canada chapter feel attainable and has opened doors to participate in conferences and extracurricular opportunities that further accelerate my learning. Another unique aspect of studying here is working on local projects and being able to see ideas move beyond the classroom. Contributing to work that has tangible impact within the community makes the learning experience more meaningful and reinforces the connection between engineering and Prince Edward Island.

"The integration of yearly design studios through the undergraduate engineering program is beyond valuable and has provided me a unique value proposition and selling point as many of the communication and professional expectations are often not learned until students enter the job market."

What's unique about UPEI, and Prince Edward Island, in your experience?

UPEI is very community-integrated and excels at solidifying long term partnerships allowing professionals and students to work in tandem to overall improve the state of Prince Edward Island. The closeness of partnerships is rarely seen at other universities. The small nature of PEI allows students, staff, faculty and the community to know one another and work together in a way that both parties learn and grow.

What would you tell a student considering UPEI and the Sustainable Design Engineering program?

Engineering is a challenging degree to pursue, but at UPEI you are never alone. There are ample supports to help you accomplish your goals and learn as mentioned in the Engineering Success Centre which provides students a safe place to work, ask questions, and work through concepts that are hard to grasp. The challenge is well worth the effort and UPEI will equip you to enter industry better than any other engineering program.

How do you feel UPEI has prepared you for your future?

UPEI has provided many opportunities to grow aside from academically. During my time at UPEI I have volunteered with the provincial Thumbody program through the Canadian Mental Health Association, participated and supported conference planning in numerous roles including chair and has helped me engage with younger stem enthusiasts. These experiences have all shaped my leadership, communication, and management skills. Combined with the design labs, UPEI has helped accelerate my career path as I will enter industry equipped with skills many others are just learning to navigate.