I chose EngSci because I was interested in applied math and thought that the Math, Stats, Finance option looked interesting (almost all other programs I applied to were applied math rather than engineering). I had always looked for academic challenge including taking AP streamed courses whenever they were offered by my high school and taking linear algebra at the UofT Faculty of Arts and Sciences during my Grade 12 year. EngSci would be a program that would push me while allowing two general years to learn the terminology of engineering disciplines (which would help me on my desired path to project management as I would be good at interfacing with many different areas of engineers), and select an option in a couple of years when I better knew what I specifically wanted to do. The Professional Experience Year would also allow me to gain experience throughout the full duration of a Co-Op rather than a four-month Co-Op where you do not always get to see through a full project. The ESROP program also appealed to me as an option to get experience in research including potentially abroad.
The biggest adjustment for me when entering university was how much class is within our schedule. In high school, I had spares and the school day was shorter while in EngSci, we commonly go from 9am to 6pm. This meant I had to be even more efficient with my time in order to complete problem sets and lab reports in addition to studying and finding time for social activities and hobbies.
I ran for the role of Second Year Rep for EngSci this year because I knew the reputation for how busy second year is and I wanted to be able to advocate for students to support them through it. I had some past experience with advocacy in High School including being a member of the Youth Assembly on Digital Rights and Safety as well as being really into Model UN so I thought I would have the skills to be effective.
While it’s been somewhat hard as the busiest times for the class are also your busiest times, I have found it very fulfilling to be able to make a difference for my fellow EngScis. Not only was I able to negotiate with Professors to get extensions at times with a particularly heavy workload, I was able to provide important course feedback to the Division of Engineering Science and advocate for the upcoming Engineering Science major in Transportation Systems at the Engineering Faculty Council as a voting member. My favourite part of the role has been that students have trusted me to advocate for them and thanked me for the impact I have made on their university experience. This has even been reflected in the fact that I have been re-elected to continue in the class rep role for third year!
While most people might say bridge project in CIV102 or calculus with Professor Stangeby and Professor Davis but I would have to say ECE159 – Fundamentals of Electric Circuits because it was the first course where we had an entirely novel hands-on component in first year (I had never used an oscilloscope before but that skill has been useful a few times since). Apart from Praxis, it was one of the few courses that had lectures in Myhal 150 (a lecture hall with group work tables) where we were encouraged to engage with one another which also helped me meet new people. Maybe it’s just the future ECE in me but I really enjoyed it and the other ECE courses we’ve taken so far.
I came into EngSci not being entirely decided on my option but leaning towards Machine Intelligence (MI). When it came time to select an option in second year, I went to every single option talk (held by the Option Chairs to describe what the option is like) to explore the possibilities and eventually selected MI. After some extra conversations, I changed my mind and my option to be ECE instead. Don’t be afraid to change your plans while in EngSci.
There were a lot of experiences I had that helped inform me about the various options including the obvious like coursework but also I did ESROP-Global in Singapore after first year on an Engineering Physics related project (quantum optics) and have worked on the University of Toronto Aerospace Team on the SAE team building a plane. This exposed me to some of the majors that you don’t directly experience, especially not in first year. I also got to work in varying environments such as my ESROP experience which was in academia and my current Co-Op in IT as an industrial position. This helped me know more about the type of work environment I would like post-graduation and various pathways within options to reach them.
My biggest piece of advice is to find something that you enjoy and consistently make time for it. You’re going to spend a lot of time focusing on school work so find something that is outside of it, particularly where you chat with other people. In high school, for me that was going to concerts and making friends with the random people I met at them. In university, that included many of the aspects of Skule culture that you will meet at F!rosh week and once you arrive. Get involved in clubs or design teams and don’t worry about whether or not they will directly help you on a career path.
Otherwise, don’t be afraid to reach out for support: whether that’s asking upper years in the common room for help on a problem set, going to a Professor’s office hour to go over an exam question, or meeting with your academic advisor for anything.
