## [Being Part Of An Engineering Consulting Firm Is A Non-Stop Learning Experience](/spotlight/student/being-part-of-engineering-consulting-firm-non-stop-learning-experience) /sites/default/files/spotlight-images/2024-05/Pavni_headshot.jpg *"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 School of Engineering (Okanagan campus) - Electrical Engineering - Bachelor of Applied Science 2022 Okanagan **Job**: Electrical Designer at Smith + Andersen ## **Tell us about your job at Smith + Andersen.** I am an electrical designer at [Smith + Andersen](https://smithandandersen.com/offices/kelowna), 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. [ ![Why engineering is a versatile and future-proof degree](/sites/default/files/styles/max_325x325/public/2024-05/whyeng-set7-square-logo-large.jpg.webp?itok=gRPwqPYq) ](https://engineering.ubc.ca/spotlight/why-engineering/why-engineering-most-versatile-undergraduate-degree) 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. [Smith + Andersen](https://smithandandersen.com/offices/kelowna) ## **Were you always interested in being an engineer?** [ ![Questions about engineering](/sites/default/files/styles/max_325x325/public/2024-05/whyeng-set13-square-1080x1080.png.webp?itok=R8deOIkd) ](https://engineering.ubc.ca/spotlight/why-engineering/who-what-where-why-when-and-how-of-engineering) 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](https://engineering.ok.ubc.ca/programs-admissions/electrical/)? UBC has a general [first-year](https://engineering.ubc.ca/programs/undergraduate/foundation-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. [ ![Student centred learning at UBCO](/sites/default/files/styles/max_325x325/public/2024-05/whyeng-set17-square-1080x1080.png.webp?itok=d-IBidMV) ](https://engineering.ubc.ca/spotlight/why-engineering/discover-student-centred-learning-ubc-okanagan) [Electrical engineering](https://engineering.ok.ubc.ca/programs-admissions/electrical/) [First-year](https://engineering.ubc.ca/programs/undergraduate/foundation-year) ## **How was the move to Canada?** What helped me right from the beginning was the [Engineering Mentoring Program](https://experience.apsc.ubc.ca/okanagan/network/engineering-mentoring-program). I connected by email with my mentor before I came to Canada and that support was really helpful when I arrived. In my second year, I volunteered with the program so I could help others. [Engineering Mentoring Program](https://experience.apsc.ubc.ca/okanagan/network/engineering-mentoring-program) ## **Did you do co-op?** I did, and I would 100% recommend [co-op](https://coop.apsc.ubc.ca/prospective-students/) 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](https://www.fortisbc.com/) and two separate engineering consulting firms. [Co-op](https://coop.apsc.ubc.ca/prospective-students/) [FortisBC](https://www.fortisbc.com/) [Image ![Why co-op? Launch your career while still a student](/sites/default/files/styles/original_image/public/2026-08/whyeng-set10-gd-728x90.jpg.webp?itok=tSWqtJgs) ](https://engineering.ubc.ca/spotlight/why-engineering/why-co-op-launch-your-career-while-still-student)## **Any advice for others who are considering engineering?** 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. > The engineering mindset, with its focus on asking why, reasoning things through, thinking logically and weighing the pros and cons of alternatives, is very valuable. It’s changed me – even in terms of how I make decisions in my personal life! ### Find me on: [ LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavniagarwal/ "LinkedIn") - [Alumni](/topics/alumni "Alumni") - [Alumni Success](/topics/alumni-success "Alumni Success") - [Engineering](/topics/engineering "Engineering") - [International Student Experience](/topics/international-student-experience "International Student Experience") - [Women in Engineering](/topics/women-in-engineering "Women in Engineering")