Celebrating exploration and embracing uncertainty

Chat with Stephanie

Hi! My name is Stephanie (she/her), and I am in my 4th year of electrical engineering. Throughout my time at UBC, I have had the incredible privilege of getting involved with UBC Women in Engineering, the Engineering Undergraduate Society, and the Electrical and Computer Engineering Student Society. What I have enjoyed most about being part of these groups is meeting new people and getting to organize community-building events. In my first year, I made videos for Engineering Stories, where I had the opportunity to share my story and experiences with students who might be interested in UBC Engineering! I have also been an undergraduate teaching assistant and part of a design team, and I really valued connecting with other students through these roles. I have really enjoyed the opportunities I have had to explore and try new things throughout my time at UBC.

How did you decide your current UBC Engineering discipline, or why did you choose UBC Engineering?

When I entered UBC Engineering, I was actually hoping to pursue Chemical and Biological Engineering! However, I had opportunities in first year to hear from different programs, connect with upper-year students, and work on projects related to various disciplines. This helped me broaden my understanding of my interests and find a program that is the best fit for me. When I looked at the course list for the biomedical option of electrical engineering, all the courses sounded really interesting and were topics I wanted to learn more about. I felt excited about the program and thought that was a great sign, so I decided to pick the biomedical option of electrical engineering.

What has made your time at UBC Engineering memorable?

My time at UBC Engineering has been memorable in so many ways, mainly from the incredible people I have met and the communities I have had the privilege of being part of! In terms of academics, I have really enjoyed the biomedical engineering courses I have taken, as the professors, teaching assistants, and my classmates have all been great support in those classes.

Tell us about your experience in your program. What have you learned that is most valuable?

On top of learning technical skills in classes, I would say one of the most valuable things I have learned is understanding how to break down problems to be able to solve them. Many times, I felt unsure of where to start with a project, assignment, or homework question. Whenever I faced this challenge, I reached out to friends, did more research, asked questions, and ultimately, I figured things out. Now, no task or project feels too daunting, and I have the confidence to at least figure out a place to start. I have had the incredible opportunity to get involved in undergraduate research and intern at Microsoft and Goldman Sachs, and I felt my experience in my program helped me find my way in learning new skills and applying my knowledge in different settings.

What resources or events organized by UBC Engineering have helped you in your academic, professional or entrepreneurial journey thus far?

When I was in first-year, I helped to organize and also attended UBC Women in Engineering's Women in Engineering and Science (WiSE) mentorship event. Hearing others' stories and experiences at this event helped me see a future for myself in engineering. I am grateful that others have paved the way for me to pursue what I am passionate about.

What is one piece of advice you would share to a student entering UBC Engineering?

If I could give advice to my first-year self, I would tell myself not to be afraid of trying new things, and to embrace the uncertainty that comes along with that. There are lots of opportunities, and it can be hard to figure out which ones to pursue, but luckily there isn’t really a right or wrong answer.

At UBC, we are creating highly impactful solutions that aim to radically transform health and wellness, and shape a society and economy where people are more connected, empowered and effective. How has UBC Engineering inspired your entrepreneurial thinking, and helped you make a difference in your own community or beyond?

An initiative I have enjoyed working on is getting a sensory room started at UBC, a personal passion of mine. A sensory room is a space designed to support sensory regulation, and these rooms are especially helpful for neurodiverse people. Working on this project involved proposal and report writing, interviewing stakeholders, and designing physical spaces. My experience in UBC Engineering helped me tremendously in building my understanding of how to study and define a project, engage with stakeholders, view a project from different angles, and build solutions for people. The combination of courses and experiential learning opportunities I had access to gave me the confidence to engage in this work and the skills needed to implement my ideas.