Interview with a Civil Engineer – Part 2
It is without question very intimidating to have to decide what you want to do for the rest of your life, even for those who may have just earned a degree. Last week, I had the chance to sit down with a civil engineer to discuss what this career is like in more depth. If you are still on the fence regarding what you want to study or have just begun your new journey as a university student, and especially if you are leaning towards a career in engineering, you may find his responses to be useful. This is the second part of the interview; the first part can be found here.
Post-undergrad life can be confusing for everyone, especially until you at least know what you want to do next. As a recent graduate who completed her program in December and got the diploma to prove it just last week, I’ve had time do some research and self-reflection since December. I’ve come to the realization that post-undergrad life consists of different stages until you find your way, especially if you are stepping into the real world a little uncertain as to what you want to do with the rest of your life. If you already have a plan or a job lined up, then that’s amazing! The truth is, though, about 
As a new graduate, you can expect to experience a flurry of emotions. These may include, but are not limited to, a sense of relief stemming from the fact that you have finally completed your degree. Depending on the particulars of your McGill experience, this accomplishment may have been more or less of an uphill battle. A sense of confusion may be in the mix… a disoriented feeling given that what you’ve worked so hard for over the past few years is now coming to a close. Ideally, your emotional cocktail is topped off with a sprinkle of excitement for what lies ahead. Perhaps the excitement is overshadowed by a sense of impending doom and panic. That’s okay, too! Whatever it may be for you, ultimately, along with this change, you are one step closer to being fully immersed in *real* life. You will be reminded of this fast approaching responsibility time and time again by peers, parents and other family members. “Congrats, you graduated!” They’ll say. Followed promptly by a, “What’s next?”
Many career options are often presented broadly, but offer much more specific branches to choose from. For aspiring engineers, the options are plenty: chemical, mechanical, electrical, computer, civil, software; the list goes on. When you first decide to pursue a degree in one of these, it can be a challenge to feel confident that you’ve made the right decision until you are well into your studies. I recently had the chance to sit down with a civil engineer of over 30 years to discuss what this career is like in more depth. You may find this helpful if you are just embarking on your new journey as a university student or contemplating whether this is the right path for you.
Bilinguals today make up approximately half of the world’s population. I, myself, grew up in a bilingual household and learned a third language when I began going to school. It is not surprising that in our highly globalized world, being fluent in more than one language is extremely beneficial. Asides from supposedly being better for your neurological health and making communication much easier, being proficient in several languages will often be a serious asset as you progress through your education and enter the workforce.
McGill is a research-intensive university. To be able to attend a school that places importance on research and study in the field, is a privilege. It offers countless opportunities to students and can be a rewarding and career-changing experience. It’s a pivotal part of your education, especially if you plan on going into academia. But… what if that’s not something you’re interested in? If after your studies, the lab bench or research team is not for you, or maybe you just want a break, here are other job paths in science that you may want to take. Note that some require additional education.
For me personally, the holiday season is primarily a time to be surrounded by family, to celebrate Christmas with the people you love, and take the time to recover and relax from the bustle of the past year. For this reason, I tend not to think too much about looking for career-related opportunities during late December. However, as everyone knows, New Year’s is a time to begin new goals and make new resolutions (that can be kept!). It is also perfect occasion to start fresh and get back into looking at volunteering, extra-curricular, and job-related activities that will be sure to boost your CV and enhance the skills that will make you an adept professional in the working world.
Some things don’t have a linear path. A career can be one of those things.
University teaches you an immense amount of invaluable information. Most of us go into it thinking we will learn everything there is to know about our degree, so that we can apply the new knowledge and know how to get the job done, and get it done well. But the truth is, your classes provide much more than just the information you will need, as important as that is. You also develop a wide variety of skills that, as you continue your education and enter the workforce, will serve you well, and provide you with a basis for so many of the things you will do later in life.