Disclaimer: The views expressed by our interviewees are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of GradSimple. We only edit these responses for clarity. All opinions remain those of the interviewee.
- Year Of Graduation: 2024
- College/University: University of British Columbia
- Major: Materials Engineering
What do you do for a living? Can you share what a typical day at work looks like? Do you enjoy what you do?
I’m a mechanical designer. So, what I’m in charge of is doing the drafting and design work for mainly residential developments right now. So, townhomes, and low-rise residential developments. They’re maybe six stories right now. And then underneath would be commercial units. What my job is really about is working with architects to ensure that there’s sufficient ventilation and sufficient cooling. Most of our jobs are usually in BC [British Columbia].
Initially, I did [see myself continuing in this role] but then the thing is I wanted to get a professional engineering license, but right now I actually can’t because there’s a misalignment between my education in materials engineering versus mechanical engineering, which is a little bit different. I did go to school for what I’m doing now previously, and that was at BCIT (British Columbia Institute of Technology). I did the two-year program and got a mechanical engineering diploma, and that’s where I initially got my job.
I asked the EGBC, which is the professional engineering license board, and they told me yeah, it’s going to be difficult to get my engineering license. It doesn’t mean that I can’t, but I might have to write some technical exams and the thing is I don’t want to write those exams. It’s just like, I already did the four years of schooling. To me, it just doesn’t make sense. So I don’t see myself doing this long term and initially, my goal was to get away from this industry. I don’t hate it, but do I really enjoy it? Some parts of it I do, and I definitely have a greater appreciation for it compared to before, but I really don’t know. I mean I would love to actually find a job that is more related to my most recent education which is materials engineering but those jobs are hard to come by so I don’t know.
What has been the most unexpected challenge you faced after graduating, and how did you handle it?
This came up before, my dad asked me, “Hey, what if you can’t find a job in materials engineering? What are you going to do?” I never really thought about it. And I was like, “Hey, maybe worst case scenario, go back to my old role.” And lo and behold, here I am. That’s a challenge. I guess mentally and emotionally it’s frustrating. It’s like you work so hard and then in the end you’re back to square one. So then you’re like why the hell would I work that hard to begin with? It doesn’t matter. Despite all of your hard work, no one cares.
I think the other common challenge for everybody is I guess you want to find something that’s related to your education, but you can’t and that causes frustration as well.
Can you provide some background on why you chose to pursue materials engineering after getting your mechanical engineering diploma?
I wanted a degree and I didn’t really care what it was because at that time I was really tired of engineering. Every single project was pretty cookie-cutter. I knew exactly what to expect from each project. I know geometry-wise each building is different and there are other challenges as well, but it was just pretty much the same old rinse and repeat.
I wanted to go into sciences, but what was really strange was when I applied to UBC, there were actually two choices to put down. My first choice was going into physics, and then they had me list a second-choice alternative if I didn’t make it into my first choice. I put engineering, and I was like, “Okay, I’m never going to make it into engineering.” Well, engineering gave me an offer first rather than physics. I thought I might as well take it and then if I hate it, I can just transfer out.
From there, I actually had enough credits to advance to the second year, but there were restrictions. Apparently, if I wanted to do mechanical engineering, I was actually missing a course. The advisor told me if I could get it completed before the summer ends, then they could actually consider my application towards mechanical engineering. I didn’t want to delay my graduation. I just wanted to get it over and done with. In the end, I didn’t really research, but I kind of knew what materials engineering was about because we did study a little bit in BCIT as I was doing mechanical systems. So, I was like, “Hey, that’s pretty cool.” I thought it kind of made reasonable sense when I was thinking about it. Lots of things are materials-based. Heck, your computers, whatever, they’re all materials. Why wouldn’t there be a job related to that? But the thing is, when I got into it, the curriculum was so broad that it didn’t make you niche enough. That’s where problems can come up, especially when finding a job.
If you could speak to your younger self right now, right after graduation, what’s the one piece of advice you’d give?
I would say if you want to do something I guess getting your education done as soon as possible is pretty good because otherwise, you lock yourself in for another four years. Also if something doesn’t work out and your gut feeling is telling you to stop, but then for whatever reason you still think it’s worthwhile to do so, I think you should just stop and really think about it before you continue. That’s what I felt like back then. I felt something was wrong but I didn’t really put the brakes on the decision. So yeah, I would say stop and think.
What would you say is your biggest fear or insecurity right now and how do you manage that?
Job security right now isn’t my number one goal, but it’s like should I take that risk of going into finding another materials engineering-related job? Because right now, for example, I’m considering going back to let’s say Kwantlen [Polytechnic University] for a two-year program. But the thing is in this case, I kind of have to weigh the pros and cons. The pro right now is that I have high job stability because of how my job is tied to housing. The thing that I want to go for is actually in technical apparel design, but there aren’t as many jobs. So, yeah, should I take that risk? Should I actually pursue what my interests are versus, getting that paycheck? That’s my fear and that’s also something that I’m struggling with right now because I have to make a decision soon.
If financial stability wasn’t an issue, what dream or passion project would you pursue?
I don’t have one, yeah, I don’t really have one. The thing is, after going through unemployment, I don’t really think about any kind of farfetched life I could lead.
What’s something about life after college that no one warned you about?
There’s no right or wrong answer. It’s not like how in school somebody marks you and gives you directions and tells you, “Hey, you should be thinking about it like this.” Nobody’s going to give you directions to actually do this.
How do you define fulfillment? Do you think you’re on the path towards it?
I think as long as you’re happy with what you’re doing, and also financial stability is definitely important. As long as you can handle your day-to-day bills and you enjoy what you’re doing, I think that’s fulfillment right there. It’s just that simple. You don’t need to be rich or anything. It’s just being satisfied with what you’re doing and you don’t have financial worries, then that’s great. I think I’m at like 6.5-7 out of 10 in terms of feeling fulfilled.
What’s one raw and honest thought you have about where you are in life right now?
I mean, to be honest, I’m obviously not very satisfied with where I am. I wanted to improve, but it seems I’m backtracking. I wish I was more satisfied, but I’m just not right now. Mentally it’s definitely a big struggle because every day you’re kind of questioning if you’re doing things correctly. Even considering that technical apparel design route, man I wish somebody would tell me if I’m making the right decision. But nobody can tell you that, and the other thing is I’m a Christian by belief, so you know, you pray and then you just don’t get any answer, and you’re wondering what exactly you’re believing. It makes you question your core values.
What’s one belief or assumption you had about adulthood that turned out to be wrong?
I thought being an adult would be great because nobody would boss you around and you be free to do whatever you want. But the thing is I feel like I’d rather be more restricted and have some sort of somebody telling you that’s not a good decision or whatever. Sometimes having that flexibility isn’t that great.
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