There are many misconceptions out there about engineering programs – the engineering discipline you choose to specialize in after your first year as a UBC Engineering student. You might have heard that you should already know what engineering program you want to take (even before you’ve taken a single engineering course!), that only certain programs lead to specific careers or that some engineering programs are “better” than others.
Let’s clear up some of the biggest misconceptions.
Myth: You need to know what kind of engineer you want to be before you start university
Reality: UBC’s foundational year gives you time to figure it out
UBC’s first-year curriculum is designed to give you time to explore your options before you commit. In your first-year engineering design courses, you’ll work on hands-on interdisciplinary projects that incorporate many different kinds of engineering.
You’ll also take part in course activities designed to help you learn about the different engineering programs and reflect on which ones best match your interests and goals. Additionally, you also have the opportunity to meet faculty from each program, attend program fairs, talk with upper-year students and attend events hosted by different disciplines. All of these experiences help you make an informed choice.
Our research shows that over 90% of students enter first year unsure about what program they want to study or end up changing their mind once they’ve had a chance to learn what each discipline actually involves.
Myth: There’s only one engineering program that matches your interests
Reality: Most interests map onto several programs
Many students arrive on campus in first year with a general sense of what they are interested in, whether that’s sustainability, robotics, health technology, infrastructure or aerospace. You might think that you can only pursue a career in that area if you have studied a specific engineering program.
The thing is, there is rarely a direct match. In fact, there are multiple paths that will set you on your way to pursue a career in an area you are interested in.
For example, if you want to work in the automotive industry, you might find your home in mechanical, materials, manufacturing, computer or electrical engineering. Passionate about expanding access to clean water? Civil, environmental, chemical and biological, and environmental engineering could be routes to get you there. Interested in improving people’s health and quality of life? Biomedical, electrical, mechanical, materials could be options.
The key is to start with what excites you and then explore the programs that connect to those interests.
Myth: Some programs are “better” than others
Reality: Every engineering discipline can lead to an in-demand career
Some people might try and convince you that some engineering programs are “better” than others in terms of prestige, job opportunities or salary prospects. The reality is that engineering as a whole is a profession in high demand, and every engineering discipline can open doors to meaningful, well‑paid and future‑focused careers.
Don’t overlook some of the programs that you might not be as familiar with! One reason that UBC Engineering is so popular is because we offer such a comprehensive range of engineering programs, with some of the less-known programs offering incredible opportunities for students.
The takeaway? The “best” engineering program is the one that best aligns with your interests and the kinds of engineering problems you’re excited to work on.
Top engineering jobs in Canada
Myth: It’s best to decide early and then stick with your plan
Reality: It’s okay to change your mind
Some students begin first year with a clear plan for which engineering program they want to pursue, while others arrive with only a rough idea or no idea at all. No matter where you start, your first-year experiences often reshape your understanding of what you enjoy and where you excel.
What’s most important is that you use your first year to stay curious and open-minded. If you read through our student and alumni profiles, you’ll find many examples of people who discovered new passions in first year that led them to change direction.
Brooke Franchuk, for example, wasn’t sure which area of engineering was right for her.
However, thanks to her first-year engineering design courses, she discovered how much she excelled at hands-on, tangible projects. This led her to mechanical engineering and a successful career at Garmin in product design as a member of the biosensor platform technology team.
Divya Budihal is an example of someone who changed their mind about their program of choice.
Originally intending to study chemical engineering, Divya’s first-year experiences – which included being fascinated by her physics courses and getting interested in programming after joining a student design team that was building a satellite – led her to electrical engineering instead. After graduating, she began working as a robotics and autonomy software engineer for Zipline.
Explore our student and alumni profiles
