"If you are remotely interested in any of the STEM subjects, choose engineering because it changes you – both as a person and how you think."
Pavni Agarwal
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Applied Science
- Grad year: 2022
- Program:
- Campus: Okanagan
Job: Electrical Designer at Smith + Andersen
Tell us about your job at Smith + Andersen.
I am an electrical designer at Smith + Andersen, an engineering consulting firm with offices across Canada. As part of the electrical team, I work on all aspects of electrical systems for various types of buildings, from new high-rise towers to improvements on existing buildings. This can include the layout of electrical rooms, fire alarm design, lighting control solutions and more.
What I like about this work is that you get to see what you are designing – it’s very tangible. I can look at a building and know that I had a hand in putting together its electrical systems.
I’m very interested in energy efficiency and finding ways to make buildings more sustainable. Smith + Andersen is a leader in this area, and our clients are interested in integrating technologies from solar panels to LED lighting.
I also enjoy coordinating with architects and the other engineering disciplines, like the mechanical engineers. Building systems are all interrelated, so as a small example, we need to make sure we aren’t placing receptacles where they will have a structural impact. I find this all very interesting and it’s great to work with people with other areas of expertise.
Finally, I love this work because every day is different. We work on lots of projects and there is always so much to learn.
Were you always interested in being an engineer?
My dad is a mechanical engineer, and growing up I had a lot of admiration for how he thought about things and approached problems. So, I always had it in the back of my mind that engineering could be an option. In high school I was interested in STEM subjects like math and science, and an aptitude test in Grade 11 confirmed that I am a logical thinker – engineering was therefore an obvious path!
How did you choose UBC and Electrical Engineering?
I grew up in India and I wanted to come to Canada.
The UBC campus in Kelowna appealed to me because I am also from a smaller city.
I wanted to live in a more laidback environment and be part of a smaller community where it would be easier to get to know my professors and classmates.
As for choosing electrical engineering? UBC has a general first-year curriculum for engineering where you get introduced to all the different disciplines. That helped me identify where my passions are. Everything to do with electrical engineering just clicked for me.
Electrical engineering First-year
Did you do co-op?
I did, and I would 100% recommend co-op to everyone. There’s a big difference between the work you do in school and the work you do in the industry. You learn so much in your co-op positions.
Engineering is such a vast field with so many opportunities, and co-op is a great way to figure out what kind of work you like and don’t like.
I had positions as an undergraduate research assistant at a lab here at UBC Okanagan, and then worked for FortisBC and two separate engineering consulting firms.
