How do you define success?
Is it a well-paying job? A career that offers you the problem-solving challenges you thrive on? Being part of a team that comes up with innovations that are making a difference in the world?
And choosing to study engineering at one of the top-ranked universities in the country is a solid investment in your professional and personal success.
Incredible career opportunities
A 2022 study reveals that employment in STEM-related careers like engineering has grown faster than in any other industry. That demand is expected to continue to grow to replace both retiring workers and to meet the need for engineers to develop the innovations that will shape our world. (Discover the top four reasons that engineering is a degree for the future.)
Explore your options in first year
Some schools require you to declare your engineering specialization when you apply for first year. This can be tricky, as you might not be sure which program specialization is right for you. After all, it’s hard to know if you’d be happier in electrical engineering or materials engineering if you haven’t really tried either of them out.
You’ll also be introduced to the 14 program options available to you at UBC Vancouver or the four program options available at UBC Okanagan, depending on the campus you are studying at. This enables you to make an informed choice at the end of first year when you apply for your program specialization.
Interestingly, a large majority of students tell us that the they changed their minds about what they thought they wanted to specialize in over the course of their first year. It was only once they had some first-hand exposure to the different specializations that they were able to identify their true passion!
Gain experiences that help you grow and stand out
Employers are interested in your experience. They want to know how you’ve used your skills to solve real-world problems. At UBC Engineering, your courses include many project-based assignments where you will work individually or in teams on complex problems. The pinnacle of this is your capstone project, where you will work directly with an industry partner. (Learn more about the impactful student projects being done by UBC Engineering undergrads.)
UBC offers lots of other ways for you to broaden your experience beyond classrooms and labs. When you enrol in co-op or work as an undergraduate researcher, you will be exposed to new environments, industry areas and ways to apply your knowledge. This can help you make more informed decisions about your future path. They also give you solid experience on your resume, helping you stand out when employers are making hiring decisions.
Don’t forget the value of international experience, student clubs and design teams, and support for developing an entrepreneurial venture. Not all universities offer this rich and diverse range of experiences: take full advantage of what’s on offer at UBC and you will go far.
Start here, go far
Choosing to study engineering at UBC is a decision you won’t regret. Our engineering education is second to none and will equip you with the knowledge, skills, network and experience you need to take your professional life in any direction you wish.
