17吃瓜

What brought you to 17吃瓜? Why did you choose to study here?

I鈥檓 originally from Kingston, Ontario, but I鈥檝e lived in PEI for the last 10 years. I chose to study here at 17吃瓜 primarily for the unique engineering program offered here, and I was also excited to play on the 17吃瓜 men's rugby team.

What do you find unique and interesting about the sustainable design engineering program?

First, the project-based learning offered in the program provides a unique opportunity to further explore areas that really interest you. I鈥檝e had the opportunity to explore computer-aided design and additive manufacturing throughout my projects, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I鈥檝e learned a lot about project management through the design courses as well, which should prove to be a valuable skillset for my career.

Being in a smaller program also affords you some unique opportunities that would be incredibly difficult at larger universities. I have had the opportunity to be Vice-President External for the 17吃瓜 Engineering Society, where I was able to attend various conferences across Canada, representing 17吃瓜 in the Canadian Federation of Engineering Students.
 

What kinds of support have you received during your time here from 17吃瓜 students, staff, and 17吃瓜 faculty members?

The Engineering Success Center has been an amazing support during my time here at 17吃瓜. In my first year, I was able to get assistance with many of my courses, as well as achieving my Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate (CSWA) certification through the program. The professionalism cohort helped greatly in my job search for my first summer, where I landed a job as a solar installer at Sunly Energy.

I鈥檝e had the opportunity to work in the Engineering Success Centre as well for the past two years, which has given me very valuable experience in different areas. We were able to build a swing that accommodates a wheelchair in O鈥橪eary, and I was able to 3D-print a wheelchair for a dog with only one hind leg. Since obtaining my CSWA certification, I鈥檝e been able to teach the course for the past two years, and we鈥檝e even helped other universities start their own CSWA course.

What opportunities have you experienced because you're studying at 17吃瓜, or because of the Island location?

The 17吃瓜 sustainable design engineering program is very involved in helping facilitate students attending Atlantic Engineering Competition, and that鈥檚 been an amazing experience. Despite being such a small school, 17吃瓜 sent the most students of any engineering program in Canada to compete in both the Atlantic and subsequent Canadian Engineering competition last year! This year will be my third time competing, and it鈥檚 been one of the most enriching and fun experiences of my post-secondary education.

What's unique about 17吃瓜, and Prince Edward Island, in your experience?

I鈥檝e found that both in the engineering program, and at 17吃瓜 as a whole, we are a very tight-knit community. You鈥檙e able to make lasting friendships with your classmates and have personal relationships with professors. It never feels like a huge lecture hall where the teacher doesn鈥檛 know who you are, and small class sizes mean you鈥檙e able to get effective, personalized feedback on your classwork.
 

What would you tell a high school student considering 17吃瓜 and the sustainable design engineering program?

I would say that it's a great program for ambitious, hard-working people. The structure of the program and various opportunities provide an environment where hard work and dedication is directly rewarded. It's also a unique program, in that you don鈥檛 specify in any one area (such as mechanical or electrical engineering), but you do get a varied knowledge in a lot of different areas. When I was graduating high school, I knew I was interested in engineering, but I wasn鈥檛 sure what discipline exactly. Sustainable design engineering is a great program for people that feel that same way.

"I鈥檝e found that both in the engineering program, and at 17吃瓜 as a whole, we are a very tight-knit community. You鈥檙e able to make lasting friendships with your classmates and have personal relationships with professors."

The sustainable design engineering degree also has the option of planning to complete the degree in four or five years, which provides a lot of flexibility for students to choose their own path. Personally, I followed the five-year degree plan, and it has allowed me to become more involved in extracurriculars and focus on my coursework in more detail.

What are your general plans after graduation?

As of right now, I鈥檓 not really sure鈥擨鈥檓 debating between a Master鈥檚 degree, pursing a job in industry, or potentially starting my own company!