Here is your monthly dose of my Canadian engineering news created for licensed and aspiring engineers, geoscientists and technicians in Canada.
- Laleh Behjat received the 2024 Award for the Support of Women in the Engineering Profession from Engineers Canada. This award recognizes her extensive efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in engineering, particularly through initiatives like the WISE Planet leadership program and the Bioengineering Summer Institute, which support women and gender-diverse individuals in STEM fields.
- Dr. Gabriel Potvin of UBC received the 2024 Medal for Distinction in Engineering Education, recognizing his innovative teaching methods and commitment to fostering student success in engineering through real-world learning and interdisciplinary collaboration.
A new AI-driven ultrafiltration system is being piloted at Drayton Valley’s water treatment facility to enhance sustainability and cost-efficiency, potentially revolutionizing water treatment in climate-vulnerable communities (see below).
Eco Material Technologies is transforming construction with its sustainable green cement. Developed from fly ash waste, this innovative material drastically reduces carbon emissions while offering a durable, quick-setting alternative to traditional cement, paving the way for more eco-friendly building practices.
A team of Canadian engineers is crowdfunding a retrofit kit that allows homeowners to turn their existing homes into smart homes.The kit is designed to be affordable and easy to install, making smart home technology accessible to a wider audience.
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-APEGA Initiating Practice Review on City of Calgary Following Water Main Failure
- APEGS News -Saskatchewan Engineer is Fined, Given Further Orders
- APEY News
- ASET News- STEM association survey reveals appeal of Alberta for internationally trained tech professionals
- EGBC News- Clarifying the Role of Architects and Engineers for Existing Buildings
- EGM News- Dr. Brad Hayes, Ph.D., Peo., FGC, Receives 2024 Canadian Professional Geoscientist Award
- Engineers Nova Scotia News-For Immediate Release-Engineers Nova Scotia Honours 2024 Award Recipients
- Engineers PEI News
- NAPEG News- Geoscientists-in-Training (GIT) Guide Revised Edition
- PEGNL News
- PEO News
Engineers need strong communication skills to convey their work effectively. To improve, they should practice active listening, simplify language for non-specialists, engage in public speaking to build confidence, seek constructive feedback, and use visual aids to enhance understanding. Read more about how to improve your communication skills as an engineer here.
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.
Search all 300k eng. jobs | Use my three career-hunting tips for better success.
Networking is a crucial skill for career development, but it can feel intimidating. This article offers top tips to help engineers and professionals make a lasting impression, from making a great first impression to effectively following up and leveraging LinkedIn. Learn how to approach networking with confidence and build meaningful connections that can advance your career.
- In this TED Talk, Layla Akilan, a Human Factors Engineer, explores user-centered design through cognitive systems engineering, highlighting how thoughtful design impacts decision-making and simplifies complex work processes.
- In this TED Talk, Hans van Dam delivers the first-ever speech written by ChatGPT, an AI language model. He discusses the relationship between people and language, and the implications of outsourcing language to AI. Hans argues that for humanity to thrive, individuals with soft skills should be trained in prompt engineering and conversation design to ensure AI enhances rather than harms human interactions.
"Scientists study the world as it is; engineers create the world that has never been."
-Theodore von Kármán
Thanks for reading, and have a great month!
Gavin Simone, P.Eng. (AB), LEED AP
Engineers, join my monthly Canadian engineering newsletter to stay informed & receive my free career resources cheat sheet!
100% privacy, I will never spam you!
Success! Now wait until the 1st of each month for your highly informative and fun engineering newsletter - Canadian edition.
Thank you for reading!
Here are this month’s questions:
Q1: Have you ever had a mentor in your engineering career? How did they influence you?
OR
Q2: What skills do you believe are essential for success in engineering today?
Hands on skills developed while working in a field position are crucial. These skills and scenarios faced during filed work teach you to use your resources efficiently, search for required information on topics unknown to you and problem solving on the go weighing pros and cons and utilizing risk assessment tools.
Q1: I had a couple of good mentors early in my career. One of the best lessons they taught me is that an engineering license does not make you suddenly know everything about your field of expertise. You are still just a normal person that needs to keep learning, just take the responsibility seriously.
The eco-friendly cement sounds really cool! I wonder if it’ll catch on.
I’ve been fortunate to have a great mentor throughout my engineering career. His guidance has been invaluable, not only in sharing technical knowledge but also in teaching me how to work effectively with clients and trades. He’s helped me navigate the challenges that arise when engineering designs meet the realities of construction. I believe every E.I.T. or young P.Eng. should have a mentor, and I look forward to paying it forward by becoming one myself later in my career.
Q2: What skills do you believe are essential for success in engineering today?
Ans, Knowledge and connections
Professional Curiosity is an essential trait. There is so much to learn in any discipline that listening and learning is critical to staying current and relevant.
Thanks for sharing.
Q1: Have you ever had a mentor in your engineering career? How did they influence you?
Yes, and currently they are winding down and preparing to retire! Which is terrifying haha. I always find that talking to them is almost calming; it brings you back to the bigger picture, rather that the small things that you get wrapped up in on the day-to-day project. I always marvel at how not stressed they seem, and it makes me stop and think about how I want to one day do the same for someone else!
Q2: What skills do you believe are essential for success in engineering today?
Eagerness to learn, and networking is key. Anytime you are communicating with professionals; outside your company or coworkers, you are networking, keep that in mind!