Studying engineering is far more than the first step to a rewarding, future-proof career. With the right mindset, it can be a transformative experience that reshapes how you think, how you solve problems and how you see yourself.
As we describe below, students who thrive in engineering are those who stay open minded, take risks, pursue their curiosity and say yes to new opportunities. This approach makes for a memorable university experience while laying the foundations for a successful future.
A degree that opens doors
An engineering degree is one of the most reliable pathways to being highly employable in your field right after graduation. The BC Student Outcomes survey consistently shows that engineering students are in greater demand and earning more money than students from other academic and technical programs.
Because engineering is a regulated profession, you can only work in the field if you have a degree from an accredited university like UBC. However, many people use engineering as a stepping stone to other careers, including law, medicine, applied research, education or entrepreneurship. Employers across all industries recognize an engineering degree as proof of your ability to think critically, solve complex problems and develop innovative solutions.
“Engineering is a challenging and rewarding degree that opens doors to a wide range of career paths,” says alum Brooke Franchuck. “Even if you transition to another field entirely, the skills you develop during your engineering education are highly transferable and useful in all facets of life.”
The experiences that shape you
University is about more than gaining a credential. It’s also about all the on-campus experiences that shape you and the person you are becoming. UBC’s two campuses in Vancouver and Kelowna offer countless opportunities to explore – and your time as a student will be significantly more memorable if you say “yes” to what’s on offer.
This could include joining a club, getting involved in an engineering design team, trying out new activities, joining an intramural sports team or pursuing something you’ve always been curious about. These experiences help you learn more about yourself, discover new interests, meet people outside your immediate social circle and grow immeasurably as a person.
“Say yes to the opportunities that come your way – no matter how random they may seem at first,” says student Athina Law. “Some of my best memories are from side quests completely unrelated to my academics or what I thought I would be doing in university – I promise you won’t regret a moment of spontaneity.”
The people who broaden your perspective
Engineering education broadens your perspective. You’ll learn how to be a systems thinker and develop innovative solutions to complex problems by considering multiple (and often competing) variables, constraints and possibilities. This mindset develops through your coursework, group projects and open-ended design challenges like your final year capstone project.
Your perspective also broadens through the people you meet. UBC is one of the most international universities in the world, and you will learn alongside students from dozens of countries and diverse backgrounds.
Academic exchanges where you study abroad for a semester are also incredible ways to add global experience to your education.
“If you do go on an exchange, use it as a chance to say yes to as many things as possible,” says former UBC Engineering student Sara Han, who participated in exchanges in Zurich, Singapore and Cambridge before graduating in 2025. “Before I went on exchange, I was very focused on academics and hadn’t realize how many opportunities we have as university students. Studying abroad definitely made me much more open-minded. Now, in my final year at UBC, I’m making an effort to join more in clubs, activities and events.”
The challenges that help you grow
University is a place where you learn to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. You’ll encounter courses that are challenging, concepts that are hard to understand and projects that require persistence. You might feel nervous about joining a design team or going to an event where you don’t know anyone.
It can definitely feel easier to stick to what you know – to rely on the same social group, stay away from electives that might be hard for you or pursue a more obvious design solution rather than one that requires you to go deeper. But growth happens when you push yourself out of your comfort zone and take risks. The elective you took might lead to a new interest. The co-op position you weren’t sure about might lead to a new career path. The club you joined might be where you meet lifelong friends.
“Pursue opportunities – be part of engineering student teams, co-op programs, sports teams, extracurriculars,” says alum Austin Giles. “Basically, dabble in lots of things to find out what you like. And be persistent, even in areas that might not seem like your thing at first because you will learn a lot about yourself and what you actually want to do.”
The community that grounds you
Ask any UBC Engineering student – past or present – and they will describe the community as supportive and welcoming. You’ll find encouragement wherever you look for it: classmates, professors, TAs, lab instructors, residence advisors and academic support staff.
This community can help you build a well-balanced life – one where you make intentional choices in line with your values and where you give and receive support to others who want you to succeed.
"The community at UBC is fantastic,” says student Neil Mitra, winner of the Gold Medal Student Award from Engineers Canada.
“UBC has an amazing and exceptionally strong sense of community and positive energy that truly cultivates the engineering student experience. The engineering curriculum is rigorous, but the fact that the community is so strong makes it much easier. Everyone knows it’s a challenging program and everyone – both faculty and fellow students – are willing to help you. People are doing impressive things and there is a whole community of people here to support you to succeed.”
The future ahead of you
An engineering degree is a credential that opens doors and sets you up for a rewarding career. And if you arrive on campus with an open mind and willingness to take risks, engineering is also a path to discovering yourself and the kind of person you want to be.
