Here is your monthly dose of my Canadian engineering news created for licensed and aspiring engineers, geoscientists and technicians in Canada.
- Distinguished electrical engineer Professor Monique Frize has significantly enhanced the safety of global hospital medical equipment. Her passion and determination have not only left an indelible mark on engineering but have also opened doors for numerous female engineers. She is the deserving recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award.
- Adam Radek Martínez, a distinguished fourth-year Engineering Science (EngSci) student at the University of Toronto, has been awarded the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship, joining a select group of U of T students recognized for exceptional achievements and leadership potential. This globally renowned scholarship covers postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford, underscoring Martínez's commitment to academic excellence and positive societal impact
- Stress Engineering Services Canada (SESC) is thrilled to announce the addition of Justin Bekker as the newest Metallurgical Engineer. A registered Professional Engineer in both Alberta and Ontario, Justin's extensive experience, including a Level 2 CWB Weld Inspector certification and a BSc in Materials Engineering from the University of Alberta, reinforces SESC's commitment to technical excellence. Currently pursuing his MEng at the same institution, Justin has successfully managed diverse metallurgical projects, showcasing his deep understanding of metallurgical principles and regulations.
Bird Buddy, the intelligent bird feeder, alerts you about visiting birds, snaps photos, and organizes a stunning collection. This smart bird feeder revitalizes tradition, fostering daily, uplifting connections with nature. It even unlocks new species paying a visit, recognizing over 1,000 bird species.
Introducing the OSSIC X, the pioneering 3D audio headphones, dynamically calibrate to the listener, enhancing auditory space. Utilizing advanced 3D audio algorithms, head-tracking, and personalized anatomy calibration, it delivers highly precise 3D sound for an unparalleled music, virtual reality, and gaming experience.
What technology or gadget are you currently enjoying and would recommend to other aspiring and licensed engineers? Let us know in the comments below.
Here are the news links to every Canadian Association. If there is anything beyond the standard stuff (elections, new appointments), I'll try to list them below. The news tends to slow down during certain parts of the year (e.g. Summer, X-Mas).
- APEGA News-GAPC Does Not Define Scope of Practice for Engineering Designations
- APEGS News-Protecting Title and Practice
- APEY News
- ASET News-Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan students receive first-hand introduction to booming STEM profession
- EGBC News-First 3-year CE Rolling Period Ends in June
- Engineers Nova Scotia News-APEGA Appealing Court Decision on Use of Engineer Title
- Engineers PEI News
- NAPEG News- National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
- PEGNL News
- PEO News-Ontario man ordered to refrain from representing himself as a professional engineer
A crucial career transition for engineers is moving beyond reliance on senior team members and actively participating in team decision-making. This article provides tips on how to become a productive team member and a more influential engineer.
Head over to our recruitment page where you can send us your resume and enter our select candidate pool. We'll contact you if your resume matches one of our client's open jobs.
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In engineering job applications, showcasing your fit for the specific role and company is paramount. This article offers 15 tips for engineering candidates preparing for interviews, encompassing insights on post-interview strategies
- Join transportation innovator Wanis Kabbaj in this TED Talk as he envisions a future where bio-inspired concepts like modular buses and flying taxis transform traffic into a seamless, driverless experience, inspired by the efficiency of our biological systems.
- Meet Debbie Sterling, engineer and founder of GoldieBlox, on a mission to bridge the gender gap in STEM fields. In this TED Talk, she shares her innovative book series and construction set, inspiring the next generation of female engineers through the adventures of Goldie, a girl inventor solving problems with simple machines.
"A good scientist is a person with original ideas. A good engineer is a person who makes a design that works with as few original ideas as possible"
-Freeman Dyson
Thanks for reading, and have a great month!
Gavin Simone, P.Eng. (AB), LEED AP
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This month’s questions are:
Q1. Beyond taking courses, how do you stay updated and continue your professional development in such a rapidly evolving field?
Q2. Are there any specific mentorship experiences you would like to share, either as a mentor or mentee, and the impact it had on your professional growth?
Answer to Q1: By going to events, coffee talks, following company news on LinkedIn, networking, and meeting the leadership teams of various companies.
Answer to Q2: At the end of the day we are a by-product of our environment. At any phase of life, we either have been coached or acted as a coach in either a formal or an informal way. The more we integrate and socialize the more opportunities we are swarmed with.
I find three key ways to stay abreast of developments in the field. First and foremost, I socialize with peers, finding out what is going on in other arenas. The second is newsletters, and sometimes workshops and conferences. Finally, getting out, and walking the floor to identify trouble areas, or areas where improvements are sought leads to researching options and opportunities, which inevitably leads to the discovery of new methods, equipment, or processes.
Thanks for the insights, Sean. Three different but effective strategies. Well said.
Q1. I mostly stay updated through Linkedin, other ways are through newsletters, peers and other subscriptions.
Q2. Mentorship has positively played a crucial role in my professional development – saved lot of time, provided right direction.
I think networking with other colleagues and professionals in the industry is the best way to stay on top of new technologies and innovations. I frequently attend conferences to continue my professional development.
Q1: I like to subscribe to many different periodicals. For example, Harvard Business Review has lots of great articles spanning myriad topics relevant to many engineers in a professional setting.
Q2: I have, unfortunately, not yet taken the opportunity to become a mentor. This question has sparked the desire, however.
I use peer review meetings to update my knowledge base.
A1. Being a member of professional engineering associations such as: the Drainage Superintendents Association of Ontario, attending regular members meeting, asking projects specific questions and sharing ideas and solutions based on everyone’s experience with various engineering and drainage projects. results in enhancing my professional development.
A2. As a mentee, one very useful mentorship experience that I gained and helped me grow throughout my career is to be a good listener and ask all my questions prior to taking on a project or a task and clarify the unknowns. this ensure that I am on the same page with my mentor from the beginning. As a result, the project work flow becomes easier as I am confident that I don’t have hesitations in the process
1) I attend conferences and attend as many paper presentation sessions as possible at these conferences. I’m also a member of several on-line mining groups and mining software groups, which are a great way to transfer knowledge and information and keep in the loop on the latest mining technologies.
2) At the CIM National Convention last spring I chaired a couple of sessions which gives one the opportunity to stay current and to ask relevant questions, in addition I presented a full-day short course which is a great way to act as a mentor to pass on relevant industry information.
Nice work, Tim! Glad to see you’re getting involving and giving back.
Our company regularly brings on co op students who I get to mentor. I enjoy working with them and also learning from their experiences. A recent student was heavily involved with a Formula SAE race car team. Learning about the design challenges and their solutions was very interesting.
Discussing with colleagues and attending professional events.
Q1: By participation in the advanced topics within the company I work in. Usually we like to explore new technologies and have lunch and learn sessions around those.
Q2: When I migrated to Canada, I was able to find a mentor through an immigrant serving organization. That mentor helped me big time to understand how should I approach the job market here. It deifnitely gave me confidence, and I ended up working for a decent company.
Q1. You’ve got to show up, whether it is conferences, meetings, seminars, there are opportunities all around. You have to seek them out, talk with the attendees and do your best to make connections. This rapidly expands your network and increases the ‘surface area’ for your learning.
Q2. Sometimes a mentor or advisor comes from an unexpected pathway. I recently met someone who gave me some advice on the consulting business. Turns out he had written 5 books, and was giving an online seminar that my wife (aspiring author) and I atteneded. Afterwards I reached out and picked his brain regarding consulting. Stay on the lookout for these unexpected opportunities!
Q1. Beyond taking courses, I stay updated in the rapidly evolving field by regularly engaging in industry forums, attending conferences, and participating in webinars. Additionally, I actively follow reputable technical publications, subscribe to newsletters, and participate in online communities where professionals share insights and discuss emerging trends. Continuous self-directed learning and hands-on projects also play a crucial role in my professional development.
Q2. I have had valuable mentorship experiences on both sides — as a mentor and a mentee. As a mentee, having an experienced guide provided me with insights into navigating complex projects and honing my problem-solving skills. As a mentor, I found that explaining concepts to others enhanced my own understanding, and the exchange of ideas benefited both parties. Mentorship has significantly contributed to my professional growth by providing guidance, expanding my network, and fostering a collaborative learning environment.
Q1. I mostly stay updated through Linkedin, other ways are through newsletters, peers and other subscriptions.
Q2. Mentorship has positively played a crucial role in my professional development – saved lot of time, provided right direction.