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

UPEI was an attractive option for my post-secondary studies due to its smaller class sizes and greater opportunities for interaction with the instructors and staff. The Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering provides an incredibly welcoming environment for new students while providing a truly unique program.

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

Throughout my studies, I have received substantial support from the faculty and staff and have formed productive working relationships with other highly motivated students. In addition, resources such as the Engineering Student Success Centre provide unique opportunities to seek academic guidance in an informal and collaborative setting.

"By the time you graduate, you will have a broad scope of not only pure engineering skills but experience in managing real-life complex projects with local companies as part of our Design Clinic Partnership program."

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

There are many opportunities available to UPEI students. I became involved with the Engineering Society in my first year, which culminated in the opportunity to attend the Canadian Engineering Leadership Conference in Edmonton, Alberta in 2020. At this conference I connected with engineering students from across the country and expanded my growing professional network. I had the honour of co-organizing two regional conferences: the Atlantic Engineering Competition (UPEI, 2021); and the Engineering Leadership Summit (UPEI, 2022). Also, I had the opportunity to join the UPEI cheerleading team, which is a much-needed change of pace from focused academic studies.

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

UPEI is unique in comparison to similar universities offering technical degrees. Due to its generally small class sizes, it is easy to form beneficial working relationships with the faculty and staff! Being a relatively small campus also means that inter-faculty academic and research opportunities may exist where such collaborations would be much more difficult at a larger institution. I have been fortunate in this regard and have enjoyed opportunities to research alongside my professors—motivating me to follow in their footsteps and to enrich my educational experience.

What would you tell a high school student considering UPEI’s Engineering program?

UPEI’s engineering program is one of a kind. The professors, staff, and faculty know the students and are always willing to lend a hand when you need it. In the design courses, you are able to work with a Community Partner on a unique design project each year! By the time you graduate, you will have a broad scope of not only pure engineering skills but experience in managing real-life complex projects with local companies as part of our Design Clinic Partnership program.

What are your plans after graduation?

It is my intention to pursue graduate studies and realize my goal to work as an engineer in the biomedical field, or to complete additional studies to facilitate research and to mentor the next generations of young engineers. Overall, my drive to graduate and continue to elevate my education comes from my passion for helping people in the most impactful way possible. I intend to remain focused on the recruitment and guidance of femme-identifying people in engineering to give individuals the motivation to consider engineering as a career.