Engineering Conversations

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Have you ever noticed that we are surrounded by software?  It’s in our phones, our cars, our appliances, and more!  The opportunity for Software Systems engineering to make positive impacts on our lives is limitless.

In this episode, we sit down with Nikki Pelchat to talk about her experience as a Software Systems engineer.  Nikki is currently the co-Chief Technology Officer and Principal Software Engineer at Lumeca Health, a company that provides health technology solutions for medical providers across Canada.  In this conversation, she talks about her early career at Gas Buddy and her current work at Lumeca to help develop software that provides meaningful impacts in the health care sector.

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Do you ever wonder about the infrastructure and services in your community?  How did the roads, sewer, landfill, and water services get there?  Engineers are responsible for setting up communities that are functional and safe for the people who live there.

In this episode we sit down with Ryan Johnson, an Environmental Systems engineer with close to thirty years of experience.  Ryan is the Chief Executive Officer of the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation.  In this conversation he talks about his career and his extensive experience in water treatment.

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Engineers often find themselves in leadership positions as their career progresses. Managing large projects and groups of people can be very challenging and requires skills that are not fully developed during university studies.

In this episode we sit down with Tara Paton, an Industrial Systems engineer and the President and founder of Red Blaze Solutions. Tara spent 20 years working in the energy sector for oil and gas companies. That vast experience eventually led her to start her own company that helps managers become better leaders. Tara shares some interesting perspectives and advice on what engineers can do to become better leaders.

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Do you like industrial projects?  Are you interested in manufacturing and processing modern resources?  Do you want to help companies improve their efficiencies, quality control, reliability, economics, and sustainability?

In this episode we sit down with Rob Jones to learn about Industrial Systems Engineering.  Rob has been teaching laboratories at the University of Regina in our Industrial Systems engineering program for over 37 years!  In our conversation he explains how laboratories help enhance the learning that takes place in the classroom.  Rob also gives some examples of the industries and careers that Industrial Systems engineers work in after they graduate.

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Do you ever notice street lights or the exterior lighting on buildings?  Have you ever wondered who put them there, or how they get their power supply?  Engineers design these systems!  In fact, there is even an Illuminating Engineering Society to help support engineers in this field of practice.

In this episode we sit down with Ariele Chow to discuss her career as an Electronic Systems engineer.  Ariele has over a decade of experience in consulting, where she has primarily designed lighting and power systems for civic and commercial projects.  In this conversation she talks about her career, the Illuminating Engineering Society, and some of the projects she has completed.

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International students can be found studying at many universities and colleges across Canada.  They bring their culture and knowledge to the classrooms and laboratories, and they broaden the educational experience for all students and professors.  Moving to the other side of the world to pursue an education is a giant leap in life that takes a lot of courage, determination, and effort.

In this episode we sit down with Ashley Kanyatte and Rushi Patel, international students from Kenya and India who came to Canada to study engineering.  Ashley has completed her degree in Electronic Systems Engineering, and Rushi completed his degree in Industrial Systems Engineering.  They both talk about their experience studying in Canada, and they offer great advice for individuals who are thinking about studying abroad.

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Have you ever thought about your own energy use?  People need energy, and the global energy demand continues to rise year after year.  Engineers play a huge role in helping address the challenges and opportunities that exist in the energy sector, from demand to sustainability to safety, and more.

In this episode we sit down with Lex Ewen to learn about his experience as a Petroleum Systems engineer.  Lex is the CEO at Edge Engineering and Geoscience Ltd.  In our conversation, he talks about the work his company does to improve the abandonment and reclamation of oil and gas wells, and their new work on lithium exploration.  He highlights the importance of industry mentors that can help guide and encourage entrepreneurs to tackle unsolved opportunities.

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Do you have an interest in the environment?  Do you want to reduce pollution, improve sustainability, and help ensure that new engineering projects meet current environmental standards? 

In this episode we sit down with Ben Lichtenwald to learn about Environmental Systems Engineering.  Ben teaches the laboratories that help give students a hands-on learning experience in our Environmental Systems Engineering program.  In our conversation, he talks about his own experience in industry as an environmental systems engineer, and he highlights the types of careers that students can have when they graduate from this program.

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Do you like to write code?  Have you ever dreamed of starting your own software engineering company?  Software Systems Engineering is a rapidly growing field, driven by the need for safe and reliable software products.  We are literally surrounded by software in our homes, vehicles, places of work, phone apps, and more.

In this episode, we sit down with Kyle Smyth to talk about his journey into software systems engineering.  Kyle is the co-founder of Offstreet Technology and serves as their Chief Technology Officer.  Kyle and his team develop software products for the parking industry.  In this conversation, he talks about his experience launching a start-up company and explains how software can be designed to help improve the parking experience for everyone.

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Does anyone remember what life was like before cell phones and the internet?  The telecommunications industry has changed so much over the past thirty years.  Engineers are working hard to keep up with this rapidly changing industry.

In this episode, we sit down with Patti Kindred to talk about her experience as an Industrial Systems Engineer.  Patti spent over two decades in the telecommunications industry, helping bring cellular and internet services to Saskatchewan.  She then moved into the regulatory side of engineering and worked for the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan.  At the end of her career, she started an engineering consulting firm with her husband.  In this conversation, Patti shares some highlights from her career and encourages people who like to figure things out to consider a career in engineering.