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In this episode we explore how we can nurture and encourage youth to consider a career path in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).  The world needs more engineers, and STEM outreach is a big part of the process to ensure we will have sufficient bright minds to solve big real-world problems in the future!

Kevina Mullock and MacKenzie Chittenden are the Coordinators of Engineering Outreach at the University of Regina.  Together they manage and deliver the EYES Program – Educating Youth in Engineering and Science.  This program provides youth an opportunity to experience science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in hands-on, interactive activities, workshops, and camps.  In this conversation Kevina and MacKenzie explain the various outreach programs they run at EYES, and how similar programs around the country are making a big impact encouraging and attracting youth to careers in STEM.

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Can you believe this tiny little podcast project is already two years old?  In this bonus episode, Justin Gwilliam comes back on the show to help celebrate the occasion and ask some more “behind the scenes” questions.  (I honestly think he just came for the cake and to tease me a bit.)

I extend a sincere thank-you to all of the guests that came on Engineering Conversations this past year to share their story.  Without guests, there is no show!  My hope is that these episodes help people learn a bit more about engineering by hearing people talk about their careers.

Last, but not least, thank you to all of the listeners!  I am truly blown away by the number of people that tune in all over the world to hear some engineering conversations!

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It is very difficult to predict the direction an engineering career will take as there are so many options.  One certainty is that an engineer can always take their knowledge and skills with them to address problems and challenges that exist in whatever industry they choose to work.

In this episode we sit down with Mehdi Mohammadpoor to learn about his career.  Mehdi has a background in petroleum engineering, where he completed advanced degrees.  He worked as a research engineer, completing a number of projects for the oil sector.  Eventually, an opportunity arose for him to take his experience and skills to a new sector.  Mehdi is currently the Manager for Risk Modeling at the Farm Credit Canada.  There, he leads a team of data scientists to study risk in financing and insuring the agriculture and food industries.  In this conversation, we will hear about his journey in engineering.  Mehdi offers advice to young people, and reminds all of us that engineers can take their problem-solving skills to any sector.

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Environmental engineering is a broad field that includes air, water, and soil engineering.  Among those areas, air quality has broad impacts on the environment since it is not always localized.  For example, forest fires can affect the air quality for people and wildlife that are thousands of kilometers away.

In this episode we sit down with Kevin McCullum to learn about his career as an environmental engineer.  Kevin has worked in both private industry and government sectors for 30 years, gaining a wealth of experience.  During his career he has worked on a number of engineering projects related to air, water, and soil, but he has a true passion for air quality projects.  Kevin is the Principal Engineer and Owner at KRM Environmental Consulting.  His firm provides a variety of engineering services for air, water, and soil quality monitoring, and they offer services in data analytics and environmental reporting.  In this conversation, Kevin shares his journey in engineering and talks about some of the projects he worked on.  He also offers advice to young people thinking about a career in engineering.

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The world relies on electricity for practically everything we do, including in our work lives and personal lives.  Electrification has changed the world, and we need engineers to design and build electrical systems.

In this episode we sit down with Trevor Chadwick to talk about his career.  Trevor has a background in Electronic Systems engineering and has worked in electrical consulting for fifteen years.  Trevor is the President and Principal Engineer at Wick Engineering.  His consulting firm works on a variety of electrical projects for commercial buildings, healthcare, industrial facilities, educational institutions, private homes and more!  In this conversation Trevor talks about his journey in engineering and his experience as an electrical engineering consultant.  He also offers advice to young people thinking about a career in engineering.

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To celebrate Pi Day, I invited some fourth-year engineering students to my office to eat some pie and talk about their experience in engineering!  We will hear their thoughts on surviving engineering, gaining work experience, completing a capstone project, and more!

A big thank you to Madison French, Sarah Schatz, and Pranav Mukesh for coming on the show to share their journey in engineering!

Happy Pi Day!

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Engineering careers can be dynamic, across many different sectors, and in new areas that require experience, a problem-solving lens, and perspective.

In this episode we sit down with Dr. Jocelyn Peltier-Huntley to talk about her experience as a mechanical engineer.  She has extensive experience in the mining sector, where she worked in coal mining, lead and zinc smelting, and the potash industry.  After working for over a decade, Jocelyn decided to go back to university to do research on workplace culture.  Jocelyn is the Principal and Owner of Prairie Catalyst Consulting, and her company helps support individuals and organizations to make work places more equitable.  Recently, Jocelyn published a book called Active Allyship that highlights evidence-based solutions that can help make positive change in workplace culture.

In this conversation, Jocelyn talks about her extensive career and the work she is doing at Prairie Catalyst Consulting.  She also offers advice to young people thinking about a career in engineering, and advice to those thinking about going back to graduate school.

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Do you like listening to the radio or watching television?  Have you ever wondered how that broadcast gets to your device?  It turns out that a lot of engineering is required to deliver that content to the audience.

In this episode we sit down with Dave Rainnie to learn about his career in the broadcasting industry.  Dave has a background in Electronics Systems engineering and has spent close to 18 years working for the Canadian Broadcasting Company.  The CBC provides radio and television broadcasting to listeners and viewers across Canada.   During his career, Dave has worked in a variety of different engineering roles.  There is a lot of engineering work that goes into the towers, antennas, and transmitters that are needed to deliver radio and television programing.  Dave is currently an engineering Project Lead at the CBC.  In this conversation he talks about his extensive career, and he offers advice to young people thinking about a career in engineering.

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An engineering degree can be a ticket to see the world.  It can also help you think both critically and logically, which often has benefits outside of your work life.

In this episode we sit down with Angela Jaimeson to learn about her journey in engineering.  Angela has a background in geological engineering and spent close to 20 years working in the oil and gas sector in Canada, The Netherlands and Brunei.  When Angela returned to Canada she started Jamieson Consulting where she provided services to both the oil and gas sector and the mining sector.  During this time, she started to pivot to areas outside of conventional engineering, helping people reduce stress and increase productivity.  Angela has had a very interesting career and offers advice to young people thinking about a career in engineering.

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Environmental engineers work on all kinds of projects for industry and municipalities.  These can include site remediation, civil earth works, surveying, water treatment, and more.  We all benefit from the work of environmental engineers.

In this episode we sit down with Greg Kuntz to learn about his career in environmental engineering, which spans over 25 years.  During this time, Greg has worked on an extensive list of projects in different sectors.  In this conversation he talks about his journey in engineering and some of those projects.  Greg currently works at EPCOR and is the Operations Manager for the City of Regina wastewater treatment plant.  In that role, he helps ensure the water discharged from the plan is compliant with the regulations and safe for the environment.  At the end of this conversation, Greg offers advice to young people thinking about a career in engineering.