Did you know that potash is essential for food production around the world?  Saskatchewan happens to account for roughly one third of all global potash production.  Engineers from a variety of disciplines are needed to support potash mining operations.

In this episode we sit down with Julien Brazeau to learn about his career.  Julien has a background in Industrial Systems Engineering and has spent over 18 years working in the potash industry in a variety of engineering roles.  Julien is currently the Senior Manager of Maintenance and Engineering for the Mosaic Company at their Esterhazy facilities.  In this conversation, we hear about his early career in construction, his decision to go back to school to study engineering and how got his start in the potash industry.  Julien also offers advice to young people thinking about a career in engineering.

In this episode we explore how we can nurture and encourage youth to consider a career path in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).  The world needs more engineers, and STEM outreach is a big part of the process to ensure we will have sufficient bright minds to solve big real-world problems in the future!

Kevina Mullock and MacKenzie Chittenden are the Coordinators of Engineering Outreach at the University of Regina.  Together they manage and deliver the EYES Program – Educating Youth in Engineering and Science.  This program provides youth an opportunity to experience science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in hands-on, interactive activities, workshops, and camps.  In this conversation Kevina and MacKenzie explain the various outreach programs they run at EYES, and how similar programs around the country are making a big impact encouraging and attracting youth to careers in STEM.

Can you believe this tiny little podcast project is already two years old?  In this bonus episode, Justin Gwilliam comes back on the show to help celebrate the occasion and ask some more “behind the scenes” questions.  (I honestly think he just came for the cake and to tease me a bit.)

I extend a sincere thank-you to all of the guests that came on Engineering Conversations this past year to share their story.  Without guests, there is no show!  My hope is that these episodes help people learn a bit more about engineering by hearing people talk about their careers.

Last, but not least, thank you to all of the listeners!  I am truly blown away by the number of people that tune in all over the world to hear some engineering conversations!

It is very difficult to predict the direction an engineering career will take as there are so many options.  One certainty is that an engineer can always take their knowledge and skills with them to address problems and challenges that exist in whatever industry they choose to work.

In this episode we sit down with Mehdi Mohammadpoor to learn about his career.  Mehdi has a background in petroleum engineering, where he completed advanced degrees.  He worked as a research engineer, completing a number of projects for the oil sector.  Eventually, an opportunity arose for him to take his experience and skills to a new sector.  Mehdi is currently the Manager for Risk Modeling at the Farm Credit Canada.  There, he leads a team of data scientists to study risk in financing and insuring the agriculture and food industries.  In this conversation, we will hear about his journey in engineering.  Mehdi offers advice to young people, and reminds all of us that engineers can take their problem-solving skills to any sector.

Environmental engineering is a broad field that includes air, water, and soil engineering.  Among those areas, air quality has broad impacts on the environment since it is not always localized.  For example, forest fires can affect the air quality for people and wildlife that are thousands of kilometers away.

In this episode we sit down with Kevin McCullum to learn about his career as an environmental engineer.  Kevin has worked in both private industry and government sectors for 30 years, gaining a wealth of experience.  During his career he has worked on a number of engineering projects related to air, water, and soil, but he has a true passion for air quality projects.  Kevin is the Principal Engineer and Owner at KRM Environmental Consulting.  His firm provides a variety of engineering services for air, water, and soil quality monitoring, and they offer services in data analytics and environmental reporting.  In this conversation, Kevin shares his journey in engineering and talks about some of the projects he worked on.  He also offers advice to young people thinking about a career in engineering.

The world relies on electricity for practically everything we do, including in our work lives and personal lives.  Electrification has changed the world, and we need engineers to design and build electrical systems.

In this episode we sit down with Trevor Chadwick to talk about his career.  Trevor has a background in Electronic Systems engineering and has worked in electrical consulting for fifteen years.  Trevor is the President and Principal Engineer at Wick Engineering.  His consulting firm works on a variety of electrical projects for commercial buildings, healthcare, industrial facilities, educational institutions, private homes and more!  In this conversation Trevor talks about his journey in engineering and his experience as an electrical engineering consultant.  He also offers advice to young people thinking about a career in engineering.

To celebrate Pi Day, I invited some fourth-year engineering students to my office to eat some pie and talk about their experience in engineering!  We will hear their thoughts on surviving engineering, gaining work experience, completing a capstone project, and more!

A big thank you to Madison French, Sarah Schatz, and Pranav Mukesh for coming on the show to share their journey in engineering!

Happy Pi Day!

Engineering careers can be dynamic, across many different sectors, and in new areas that require experience, a problem-solving lens, and perspective.

In this episode we sit down with Dr. Jocelyn Peltier-Huntley to talk about her experience as a mechanical engineer.  She has extensive experience in the mining sector, where she worked in coal mining, lead and zinc smelting, and the potash industry.  After working for over a decade, Jocelyn decided to go back to university to do research on workplace culture.  Jocelyn is the Principal and Owner of Prairie Catalyst Consulting, and her company helps support individuals and organizations to make work places more equitable.  Recently, Jocelyn published a book called Active Allyship that highlights evidence-based solutions that can help make positive change in workplace culture.

In this conversation, Jocelyn talks about her extensive career and the work she is doing at Prairie Catalyst Consulting.  She also offers advice to young people thinking about a career in engineering, and advice to those thinking about going back to graduate school.

Do you like listening to the radio or watching television?  Have you ever wondered how that broadcast gets to your device?  It turns out that a lot of engineering is required to deliver that content to the audience.

In this episode we sit down with Dave Rainnie to learn about his career in the broadcasting industry.  Dave has a background in Electronics Systems engineering and has spent close to 18 years working for the Canadian Broadcasting Company.  The CBC provides radio and television broadcasting to listeners and viewers across Canada.   During his career, Dave has worked in a variety of different engineering roles.  There is a lot of engineering work that goes into the towers, antennas, and transmitters that are needed to deliver radio and television programing.  Dave is currently an engineering Project Lead at the CBC.  In this conversation he talks about his extensive career, and he offers advice to young people thinking about a career in engineering.

An engineering degree can be a ticket to see the world.  It can also help you think both critically and logically, which often has benefits outside of your work life.

In this episode we sit down with Angela Jaimeson to learn about her journey in engineering.  Angela has a background in geological engineering and spent close to 20 years working in the oil and gas sector in Canada, The Netherlands and Brunei.  When Angela returned to Canada she started Jamieson Consulting where she provided services to both the oil and gas sector and the mining sector.  During this time, she started to pivot to areas outside of conventional engineering, helping people reduce stress and increase productivity.  Angela has had a very interesting career and offers advice to young people thinking about a career in engineering.

Environmental engineers work on all kinds of projects for industry and municipalities.  These can include site remediation, civil earth works, surveying, water treatment, and more.  We all benefit from the work of environmental engineers.

In this episode we sit down with Greg Kuntz to learn about his career in environmental engineering, which spans over 25 years.  During this time, Greg has worked on an extensive list of projects in different sectors.  In this conversation he talks about his journey in engineering and some of those projects.  Greg currently works at EPCOR and is the Operations Manager for the City of Regina wastewater treatment plant.  In that role, he helps ensure the water discharged from the plan is compliant with the regulations and safe for the environment.  At the end of this conversation, Greg offers advice to young people thinking about a career in engineering.

Do you pride yourself in how your organize your organics, recycling, and garbage materials for pick-up?  Or do you just throw everything together in one bin?  Clearly, if materials are organized properly it makes it much easier to process them at the relevant facility.

In this episode we sit down with Sam Dietrich to learn about his career, which has seen him working in robotics and programming.  Sam has a background in Industrial Systems engineering, and minors in both Electronics and Software Systems engineering.  Sam is the CEO at Prairie Robotics, which uses smart technologies to help clients gather data during the collection of recycling, organics, and garbage materials.  This data can then be used to help educate residents on how to organize their recyclables, organics, and garbage for collection.  Sam talks about his experience at university, his initial work experiences after graduation, and what led to the creation of Prairie Robotics.  Sam also offers advice to young people thinking about a career in engineering.

Steel can be found everywhere in our day-to-day lives.  It is in our appliances, our vehicles, our houses, work environments and more.  Steel is used widely in manufacturing countless products.  The production of steel is a complicated process and engineers from several disciplines work in this industry.

In this episode we sit down with Kamille Brunwald to learn about her career in the steel industry.  Kamille has a background in Environmental Systems engineering and works at InterPro Pipe and Steel.  In this conversation we learn about the production of steel from recycled metals.  Kamille talks about the work she does to help with environmental compliance, reducing environmental footprints, and more.  Kamille also offers advice to young people thinking about a career in engineering.

Did you know that there is an entire field of engineering that studies how structures interact with soil and rock?  The engineering mechanics of these interactions help engineers design infrastructure including, roadways, buildings, lagoons, and much more.  Prior to any construction, geotechnical and environmental engineers are often involved in site assessment and during the lifetime of a project they can be involved in monitoring a site and handling remediation measures.  The opportunities for interesting and meaningful projects are endless.

In this episode we sit down with Wayne Clifton to learn about his extensive career in geotechnical and environmental engineering.  Wayne is the CEO and founder of the Clifton Engineering Group.  With close to sixty years of experience working on a countless number of projects, Wayne is recognized as one of the pioneers in geotechnical engineering and has been recognized for his contributions to the field.  In this conversation, Wayne highlights his journey into engineering, his early career, and the creation of his company.  Wayne also offers advice to young people thinking about a career in engineering.

Have you ever considered that buildings are more than just a structure?  In fact, buildings have complicated systems that help the building achieve its design goals.  These include systems for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, fire protection, plumbing, electrical, and more!  Engineers design these systems so that buildings can be functional, safe, and energy efficient.

In this episode we sit down with Tom Atkins to learn about his career as a mechanical engineer.  Tom spent close to 40 years working in consulting and retired as a Vice-President in the Buildings Group at Stantec.  During his career he worked on a number of large building projects.  In this conversation, he talks about his background in mechanical engineering and some of the projects he worked on.  He also offers advice to young people thinking about a career in engineering.

Engineering and athletics might not be two things that people think go together.  It turns out that a lot of engineering students are involved in athletics.  Being a student-athlete is a big commitment as students have to balance both their academic and athletic responsibilities.

In this bonus episode we sit down Ryder Varga to hear about his experience as a student-athlete.  Ryder studied Environmental Systems engineering and played for the University of Regina Rams football team while he was a student.  In his final year he was drafted to the Canadian Football League, and for the past three years he has been playing professional football!  In this conversation he talks about his time as a student-athlete and he shares some stories from his professional football career.  Ryder also offers advice to future student-athletes.

Everyone knows that when you go to study engineering at university, you will have to take a bunch of courses and laboratories.  These academic activities help students learn core engineering skills.  However, there is a lot of learning that can happen in engineering student organizations.  These extra-curricular activities are where students develop additional skills that will have an important impact on their career.

In this episode we sit down with three engineering student leaders.  Lei Ocampo is the Vice-President of Events for the Regina Engineering Students’ Society, Gianna Osuobeni is the Vice-President of Events for the National Society for Black Engineers (NSBE – Regina Chapter), and Drake Smith is the President of Cougar Racing.  In this conversation we hear about their experiences as engineering students, and the value of getting involved in extra-curricular activities.  Learning at university does not just happen in classrooms and laboratories!

Over the course of their career, engineers can work on a large variety of projects, especially in the municipal engineering sector.  These projects have a large, positive impact for the residents and businesses in that region.  

In this episode we sit down with Tom Williams to talk about his extensive career in municipal and water engineering.  Tom has a background in agricultural engineering and over 35 years of experience working on a variety of engineering projects including land development, water and sewer projects, roads and transportation, buildings, and much more!  Tom is currently the Business Development Lead at Allnorth Consultants.  In this conversation he discusses his career and some of the projects he has had the opportunity to work on.  He also offers advice to students thinking about a career in engineering.

Engineers need data to make informed decisions. For example, data can be used to evaluate new engineering design options and business opportunities. But data can also be used in urgent situations during the operation of a facility. In fact, technology has evolved to the point where real-time data can be sent from a remote plant in the field back to engineers at the head office for analysis and informed decision making.

In this episode we sit down with Lisa Rong to learn about her career in the energy and resources sectors.  Lisa has over fifteen years of experience working as an Industrial Systems engineer.  She is currently the Principal Consultant at Sublime Solutions, a company she founded.  Lisa talks about her experience as an international student, working at a start-up potash company, and the importance of data analysis.  She also offers advice to young people thinking about a career in engineering.

Software and electronics are used for countless applications in our day-to-day lives and in industrial applications.  Have you ever wondered who the engineers are that lead the development of some of these technologies?

In this episode we sit down with Brayden Willenborg to learn about his career in software development.  Braden has a background in Software Systems engineering and is currently a Senior Software Developer and Team Lead at Calian Space and Defense.  In this conversation he talks about some of the projects he worked on for Sirius XM Radio and Canada Arm 3.  Brayden also offers some advice for young people who are thinking about studying engineering.

Do you ever wonder where or how technology is developed?  Commercial technology requires a great deal of research, prototyping, and testing to refine it to the point where it is both effective and economically viable.  Engineers from all disciplines are involved in research and development projects that help drive the development of new technologies.

In this episode we sit down with Petro Nakutnyy to learn about his career as a research engineer.  Petro has a background in Petroleum Systems engineering and has been working at the Saskatchewan Research Council for the past seventeen years in a variety of engineering roles.  He is currently the Director of Commissioning in the Rare Earth Elements Division.  In this conversation he talks about his previous experience working on enhanced oil recovery projects, and he discusses his current work on rare earth elements.  Petro also offers some advice for young people who are thinking about studying engineering.

Who remembers rotary phones and push button phones that were connected to land lines?  Now we all rely on cell phones and telecommunications companies have evolved to provide way more services than just phone calls.  In addition to wired and mobile telephone services, many telecoms now provide television services, wireless internet, homes security, and more!  The telecommunications sector has seen phenomenal changes over the last thirty years.

In this episode we sit down with Blair Laforge to hear about his career in the telecommunications sector.  Blair has a background in Electronic Systems engineering and is a Senior Project Manager at SaskTel.  In this conversation he talks about some of the changes he has seen during his twenty-five years in the industry, and he highlights some cool projects he worked on related to voice services.  Blair also offers some advice for young people who are thinking about studying engineering.

Consulting engineers provide engineering services to virtually all sectors.  This can include private industry, municipal infrastructure, financial systems, health care, and more.  There are consulting engineers working on projects in countries all over the world.

In this episode we sit down with Goke Rufai to hear about his career in consulting engineering.  Goke is a Project Manager and Design Engineer at AECOM.  Although he has a background in Industrial Systems and Mechanical engineering, his career path led him to civil engineering work.  In this conversation he talks about how he brings sustainable practices to municipal water engineering projects.  He also talks about his experience as an international student studying in Canada, and he offers advice for young people who are thinking about studying engineering.

With an ever-growing population, the world has seen a steady rise in the demand for energy.  There is a renewed interest in nuclear power due to its lower carbon footprint when compared to other technologies.

In this episode we sit down with Esam Hussein to talk about nuclear engineering.  Esam is a retired nuclear engineer and professor who spent time working in both industry and academia.  During his career, Esam published numerous scientific papers and industrial reports.  He authored three books on radiating science and applications and holds six patents.  He recently finished a monograph on advanced fission reactors, to be published by the American Society for Mechanical Engineering.  In this conversation, Esam discusses his experience as a nuclear engineer and he shares his thoughts on the future for nuclear power.  He also offers advice for young people thinking about pursuing a university education.

Having a safe and abundant source of water is very important for society.  Engineers play a huge role in helping manage water resources for drinking, irrigation, and agriculture uses, as well as recreational and ecological needs.  Managing all of this water requires the construction and maintenance of water infrastructure.  

In this episode sit down with Rayna Belyk-Kaytor to talk about her career as an Environmental Systems engineer.  Rayna is currently the Manager of the Project Engineering Group at the Water Security Agency.  Her team is primarily responsible for engineering services and the rehabilitation of water infrastructure across the province of Saskatchewan.  In our conversation Rayna talks about her career and how she got started working on the construction and maintenance of dams.  She also offers advice to young people thinking about a career in engineering.

Have you ever noticed how much we depend on having access to safe, affordable energy systems?  In the last 100 years, society has become dependent on energy for transportation, heating and cooling our homes, powering our appliances, and much more.

In this episode sit down with Sam Hong to learn about the new Energy Systems Engineering program at the University of Regina.  This program transitioned from an existing petroleum engineering program, and now includes options in sustainable energy, and energy transportation and storage.  Sam is a petroleum engineer and has been teaching petroleum and energy systems laboratories for the past eight years.  In our conversation he discusses his background and the work that has been done to create the new Energy Systems program.  With new laboratories in wind, solar, geothermal, fuel cells, and more, there is a lot of excitement about the future of the Energy Systems program among students, instructors, and industry!

A career in engineering can be difficult to explain or define because engineers can end up doing so many different things during their career.  At the time of graduation, it is really hard to predict what your career path might look like.

In this episode sit down with Adam Fehler to learn about his experience as an Industrial Systems engineer.  Adam has a diverse engineering background, which he gained over the past fifteen years working in the oil and gas sector, manufacturing, and building design, operation, and maintenance.  Adam is currently the Director of Provincial Initiatives at the Ministry of SaskBuilds and Procurement, here in Saskatchewan.  In this conversation he talks about his experience in the sectors he has worked in, and he outlines his current role at SaskBuilds, where he oversees the maintenance and operation of existing buildings, and new construction.

Many industries need both engineers and geoscientists to make their operations successful.  In Canada, most of the provincial and territorial regulators that oversee the engineering profession also oversee the geoscience profession.

In this episode we take a break from engineering and sit down with Jason Cosford to learn about geoscience.  Jason is a professional geoscientist with 25 years of experience working in geoscience and environmental consulting.  He is one of the executives leading the team at JD Mollard and Associates, an engineering, geoscience, and environmental consulting firm based in Saskatchewan.

Many things in our world run on power and contain electronics.  As a result, there is a demand for electronic and electrical engineers in almost all sectors.  

In this episode we sit down with Cory Dumalski to talk about his career as an Electronic Systems engineer.  Cory has over 17 years of experience working in a variety of industries including mining, manufacturing, and power systems.  He is currently the Director of Engineering at Shermco Industries where he leads a team of engineers that oversees large-scale technical projects.  In this conversation, he talks about his experience with controls systems and power systems.  He also offers advice to young people who are thinking about studying engineering.

Did you know that roughly 30% of the world’s potash is produced in Saskatchewan?  That is significant!  Potash companies need large teams of operators, technicians, geoscientists, and engineers to have successful potash mines that are safe, economical, and environmentally viable.

In this episode we sit down with Caitlin Knaus to talk about her career in the potash industry.  Caitlin has a background in Environmental Systems engineering and is currently a cavern engineer for K+S Potash Canada.  In this conversation, she talks about her career path in the potash industry, solution mining, and what a cavern engineer does to help produce potash.  She also offers great advice to young people who are thinking about studying engineering.

Going to university to study engineering is not easy.  Many students report seeing a drop in grades, difficult courses, and a high work load with labs and lectures.  In many ways, students have to learn time management skills, develop good study habits, and ask for help when they need it.

In this episode we sit down with Holden Rogers to talk about his experience in engineering.  Holden just finished his second year of our Energy Systems engineering program and he is about to go out on his very first Co-op work term!  In this conversation he talks about the ups and downs he has experience during his studies, and he offers great advice to young people who are thinking about studying engineering.

It is hard to believe that Engineering Conversations is already celebrating its first anniversary!  To recognize the occasion, I thought it would be fun to do a “behind the scenes” episode.  Justin Gwilliam is back on the show with a list of questions that dive into this podcasting journey.

Thank you to all of the guests who have been on Engineering Conversations this past year.  Without guests, there is no show!  Hopefully, with each episode we are helping people learn about the world of engineering!

Also, thank you to the listeners!  I hope you are enjoying the episodes and discovering lots of interesting things about engineering!

Structural engineers are involved in the design and construction of buildings, bridges, tunnels, dams, and other infrastructure that we find throughout the world.  People often do not think about whether a building or bridge is safe when we use it, but structural engineers have worked hard to design and build safe projects that get used on a daily basis by the general public.

In this episode we sit down with Mohsen Rassem to learn about structural engineering.  Mohsen is the senior structural engineer and Department Manager at KGS Group.  His career spans over forty years, and he specializes in the structural engineering of buildings.  In this conversation we hear about how he got into engineering and we learn about some of the large projects he has worked on.  In addition to talking about his career, Mohsen also shares some advice for young people that might be interested in a career in engineering.

Environmental engineers play an important role in helping communities and industry function in sustainable and responsible frameworks that protect the public and the environment.  First Nations communities in Canada have many engineering challenges that need to be addressed with both sound engineering and cultural considerations.

In this episode we sit down with Darlynn Lavallee to learn about her career as an Environmental Systems engineer at Piapot Nation.  In her role, Darlynn is responsible for environmental and major capital projects at Piapot Nation, including land use, planning, zoning, and water use.  Darlynn is in a unique role in that she is both a member of Piapot Nation and an engineer!  In this conversation we hear about how she got into engineering and how she found a path to help provide engineering services within her own First Nation community.  In addition to talking about her career, Darlynn also shares some advice for young people that might be interested in a career in engineering.

Have you ever thought about where all of the metals we use come from?  Mines around the world help produce all of the metals that we rely on for use in our infrastructure and day-to-day devices.

In this episode we sit down with Jared Orynik to talk about his career as a metallurgist.  Jared has a background in materials engineering from the University of Alberta, and he has over 20 years of experience working in several mining sectors.  Jared is currently a Senior Project Metallurgist working at NexGen Energy, helping to develop their Rook I uranium project.  In addition to discussing the progression of his career, Jared also shares some advice for people thinking about a career in engineering.

To celebrate Pi Day, I invited a bunch of engineers to my office to eat some pie and talk about random “engineery” things!

A big thank you to Tom Atkins, Kim Korchinski, and Bailey Armstrong for coming to chat about about engineering, childhood toys, sitcoms, sci-fi, energy, water, food, what makes a great engineer, and more!  Also, I extend a HUGE thank you to my mom for making us the delicious pie! 

Happy Pi Day!

Did you know that engineers and geoscientists have to be licensed to practice in Canada?  Licensure helps provide greater protection to the public and environment as members have to be competent, accountable for their work, and adhere to a code of ethics.

In this episode we sit down with Chris Wimmer and Kate MacLachlan from the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS).  Chris is a professional engineer and is currently the Director of Professional Standards, and Kate is a professional geoscientist and is the Director of Registration and Deputy Registrar.  In this conversation we will explore the importance of self-regulation, the application process, licensure, and member requirements.  If you have ever wondered how to become a professional engineer or geoscientist, then this conversation is full of helpful information!

Have you ever been on a university campus and been in awe of the sheer size and complexity of the buildings and services?  In many ways, a university campus is a lot like a mini-city and it needs a great deal of planning and effort to operate the infrastructure required for the university to function.

In this episode we sit down with Carol Reyda to talk about her career as an engineering project manager at the University of Regina.  Carol is an environmental systems engineer with twenty years of experience in project management.  In this conversation, she talks the infrastructure at the University of Regina, and she highlights several projects she has worked on related to the maintenance, repair and expansion of the campus.  Carol also shares some advice for young people thinking about a career in engineering.

How often do you drive on roads or highways, walk on sidewalks, or cross the street?  Have you ever thought about the safety features that have been built into the system?  Transportation engineers work to design roads, intersections, and pedestrian walkways that are safe for everyone!

In this episode we sit down with Kwei Quaye to talk about his extensive career as a transportation engineer.  Kwei is the Vice President of Traffic Safety Services at Saskatchewan Government Insurance.  In this conversation, Kwei talks about the many design features that are built into our transportation systems to make them safe for people.  Kwei also discusses his extensive career and explains how transportation engineers work with municipalities and politicians to help improve transportation safety in urban and rural communities.  Kwei is very passionate about engineering and offers advice to young people thinking about a career in engineering.

Did you know that the demand for energy increases year after year?  This helps  drive growth, diversification, and innovation in a very dynamic industry.  While fossil fuels have been a reliable source of energy for the world, new energy sectors have been growing to meet the demand.

In this episode we sit down with Bryden Wright to talk about his career in the energy sector, which dates back to 2007.  Bryden is the President and Chief Operating Officer at ROK Resources.  In this conversation, Bryden talks about his experience in the oil and gas industry, how his company is starting to expand into the lithium industry, and the growth in non-traditional energy sectors.  Bryden also offers some advice to young people thinking about a career in engineering.

Have you ever noticed how much we rely on the infrastructure that we have in our cities and rural areas?  We all drive on roads, cross bridges, use water, and spend time in public buildings.  Civil engineers play a major role in helping to design and build the infrastructure we need to support the quality of life we have become accustomed to in today’s society.

In this episode we sit down with Nancy Inglis, who has close to thirty years of experience working as a civil engineer in a variety of roles.  She has been involved in transportation, roadway, and water projects, including several multi-discipline complex mega-projects.  Nancy is currently a Divisional Manager at Associated Engineering.  In this conversation she talks to us about her career, her volunteer work with the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies (ACEC), and she offers advice to young people thinking about engineering as a career.

It is very hard to predict the type of engineering career someone may have when they graduate from university.  In fact, there are so many different roles and responsibilities for engineers.  For example, engineers can be involved in consulting, technical design, project management, sales, and so much more.  It takes all kinds of different engineers, working in a variety of roles, to accomplish successful projects.

In this episode we sit down with Katrina and Evan Bahr.  Katrina is an Industrial Systems engineer working at SaskPower, and Evan is an Environmental Systems engineer working at Bird Construction.  In this conversation they talk about their engineering careers, how they met during university studies, and what they are currently working on as project managers!  Both Katrina and Evan highlight a favourite project from their career, and they offer advice to young people considering engineering.

The world of software engineering is exploding.  We now see software being developed for all sorts of applications, having a huge impact on our day-to-day lives.  If you like to modify and improve existing products and processes, and you like to play around with technology, maybe you have a software engineer lurking inside you!

In this episode we sit down with Trevor Douglas to learn about the Software Systems Engineering program at the University of Regina.  Trevor has been teaching software engineering laboratories for 20 years!  In this conversation he talks about what he learned in industry, and explains what Software Systems engineering is all about.  Trevor shares some fun examples of how software engineers help solve real-world problems, and he offers advice to young people thinking about a career in software engineering.

Do you like to tinker around in workshops and fix things?  Or maybe you like to design and build new items?  Have you ever thought about what might be involved in large scale manufacturing of commercial products?  Engineers around the world help companies figure out how to design and manufacture their products in affordable, efficient, and safe processes.

In this episode we sit down with Glenna Stewart to talk about her career as an Industrial Systems Engineer.  Glenna is the Chief Operating Officer at Degelman Industries.  In that role, she oversees the production side of the business, which designs and manufactures a variety of agricultural equipment specific to farming operations.  In this conversation we learn from Glenna what it takes to be a manufacturing engineer and what is involved in selling agricultural products in a global market.  Glenna also offers some advice to aspiring engineers on what they can do to be successful in their career.

Do you heat your home with natural gas in the winter time?  Do you have a natural gas stove, barbeque, or water heater?  How does the natural gas get to your house?  A team of engineers has worked behind the scenes to ensure that you have a safe and reliable supply of natural gas.

In this episode, we sit down with Zeshan Hyder to talk about natural gas pipelines.  Zeshan is the Manager of Pipeline Engineering at SaskEnergy here in Saskatchewan.  In this conversation we learn about his background in Petroleum Systems Engineering and the work he does leading a team of engineers to design safe, reliable high pressure natural gas pipelines.  Zeshan also highlights the importance of extra-curricular activities for students considering a path in engineering.

Have you ever noticed the large air ducts in buildings, or wondered how the climate inside the building was controlled over the summer and winter months?  Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) engineers are the people who ensure that the environment inside a building is safe for the occupants.

In this episode, we sit down with Jared Larson to talk about his experience as an HVAC engineering consultant.  Jared is a mechanical engineer and senior partner at MacPherson Engineering.  In this conversation we learn about the many considerations that go into designing HVAC systems for buildings.  Jared also talks about his experience volunteering with ASHRAE, and how volunteering can play a critical role in career development.

The world of consulting engineering is a diverse field of practice that challenges engineers to come up with unique solutions for their clients.  As a result, there are all kinds of consulting engineers working to solve problems that help make our lives better.

In this episode, we sit down with Brett Kelln to talk about his experience as an Electronics Systems engineering consultant.  Brett is a Principal and Senior engineer at Ritenburg and Associates Ltd., and has worked on numerous engineering projects throughout his career.  In this conversation, we learn about an important project he did for the health sector, and an interesting project for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.  Plus we learn about Brett’s experience teaching a university course and the advice he offers anyone thinking about studying engineering.

Professors often help to inspire and encourage students as they find their way to a successful and rewarding career path.  In this episode, we sit down with Professor Emeritus Art Opseth to discuss his journey in engineering and his amazing career at the University of Regina, which spanned more than 30 years.  Professor Opseth taught thousands of students and was one of the leaders that helped build and grow the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Regina.  In this conversation, he talks about the history of the faculty, how it survived a potential closure, and what students can do to be successful in engineering.

Have you ever noticed that we are surrounded by software?  It’s in our phones, our cars, our appliances, and more!  The opportunity for Software Systems engineering to make positive impacts on our lives is limitless.

In this episode, we sit down with Nikki Pelchat to talk about her experience as a Software Systems engineer.  Nikki is currently the co-Chief Technology Officer and Principal Software Engineer at Lumeca Health, a company that provides health technology solutions for medical providers across Canada.  In this conversation, she talks about her early career at Gas Buddy and her current work at Lumeca to help develop software that provides meaningful impacts in the health care sector.

Do you ever wonder about the infrastructure and services in your community?  How did the roads, sewer, landfill, and water services get there?  Engineers are responsible for setting up communities that are functional and safe for the people who live there.

In this episode we sit down with Ryan Johnson, an Environmental Systems engineer with close to thirty years of experience.  Ryan is the Chief Executive Officer of the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation.  In this conversation he talks about his career and his extensive experience in water treatment.

Engineers often find themselves in leadership positions as their career progresses. Managing large projects and groups of people can be very challenging and requires skills that are not fully developed during university studies.

In this episode we sit down with Tara Paton, an Industrial Systems engineer and the President and founder of Red Blaze Solutions. Tara spent 20 years working in the energy sector for oil and gas companies. That vast experience eventually led her to start her own company that helps managers become better leaders. Tara shares some interesting perspectives and advice on what engineers can do to become better leaders.

Do you like industrial projects?  Are you interested in manufacturing and processing modern resources?  Do you want to help companies improve their efficiencies, quality control, reliability, economics, and sustainability?

In this episode we sit down with Rob Jones to learn about Industrial Systems Engineering.  Rob has been teaching laboratories at the University of Regina in our Industrial Systems engineering program for over 37 years!  In our conversation he explains how laboratories help enhance the learning that takes place in the classroom.  Rob also gives some examples of the industries and careers that Industrial Systems engineers work in after they graduate.

Do you ever notice street lights or the exterior lighting on buildings?  Have you ever wondered who put them there, or how they get their power supply?  Engineers design these systems!  In fact, there is even an Illuminating Engineering Society to help support engineers in this field of practice.

In this episode we sit down with Ariele Chow to discuss her career as an Electronic Systems engineer.  Ariele has over a decade of experience in consulting, where she has primarily designed lighting and power systems for civic and commercial projects.  In this conversation she talks about her career, the Illuminating Engineering Society, and some of the projects she has completed.

International students can be found studying at many universities and colleges across Canada.  They bring their culture and knowledge to the classrooms and laboratories, and they broaden the educational experience for all students and professors.  Moving to the other side of the world to pursue an education is a giant leap in life that takes a lot of courage, determination, and effort.

In this episode we sit down with Ashley Kanyatte and Rushi Patel, international students from Kenya and India who came to Canada to study engineering.  Ashley has completed her degree in Electronic Systems Engineering, and Rushi completed his degree in Industrial Systems Engineering.  They both talk about their experience studying in Canada, and they offer great advice for individuals who are thinking about studying abroad.

Have you ever thought about your own energy use?  People need energy, and the global energy demand continues to rise year after year.  Engineers play a huge role in helping address the challenges and opportunities that exist in the energy sector, from demand to sustainability to safety, and more.

In this episode we sit down with Lex Ewen to learn about his experience as a Petroleum Systems engineer.  Lex is the CEO at Edge Engineering and Geoscience Ltd.  In our conversation, he talks about the work his company does to improve the abandonment and reclamation of oil and gas wells, and their new work on lithium exploration.  He highlights the importance of industry mentors that can help guide and encourage entrepreneurs to tackle unsolved opportunities.

Do you have an interest in the environment?  Do you want to reduce pollution, improve sustainability, and help ensure that new engineering projects meet current environmental standards? 

In this episode we sit down with Ben Lichtenwald to learn about Environmental Systems Engineering.  Ben teaches the laboratories that help give students a hands-on learning experience in our Environmental Systems Engineering program.  In our conversation, he talks about his own experience in industry as an environmental systems engineer, and he highlights the types of careers that students can have when they graduate from this program.

Do you like to write code?  Have you ever dreamed of starting your own software engineering company?  Software Systems Engineering is a rapidly growing field, driven by the need for safe and reliable software products.  We are literally surrounded by software in our homes, vehicles, places of work, phone apps, and more.

In this episode, we sit down with Kyle Smyth to talk about his journey into software systems engineering.  Kyle is the co-founder of Offstreet Technology and serves as their Chief Technology Officer.  Kyle and his team develop software products for the parking industry.  In this conversation, he talks about his experience launching a start-up company and explains how software can be designed to help improve the parking experience for everyone.

Does anyone remember what life was like before cell phones and the internet?  The telecommunications industry has changed so much over the past thirty years.  Engineers are working hard to keep up with this rapidly changing industry.

In this episode, we sit down with Patti Kindred to talk about her experience as an Industrial Systems Engineer.  Patti spent over two decades in the telecommunications industry, helping bring cellular and internet services to Saskatchewan.  She then moved into the regulatory side of engineering and worked for the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan.  At the end of her career, she started an engineering consulting firm with her husband.  In this conversation, Patti shares some highlights from her career and encourages people who like to figure things out to consider a career in engineering.

Environmental engineers can work in a number of different fields including environmental remediation, environmental impact assessments, water projects, air quality, transportation, and much, much more!  Virtually all industries need environmental engineers.

In this episode, we sit down with Dwayne Gelowitz to learn about his career as an environmental and civil engineering consultant.  The majority of his career has been spent working on water projects.  In this conversation Dwayne talks about an interesting project to reduce flooding in a local neighbourhood and he touches on the role of consulting engineers.

Are you thinking about going into engineering, but you are not really sure what it is all about?  You are not alone.  There are lots of students in first year engineering that are not quite sure what the profession is all about.

In this episode, Lucas Hollinger sits down with David deMontigny to ask him a bunch of questions related to engineering education, engineering careers, and what to expect.  While studying engineering can be challenging, this conversation should help reassure new students that they can be successful.  The magic recipe is simple:  go to class, do your homework, and ask for help when you need it.

Pipelines are commonly used to transport energy from one location to another.  They are complex systems that are designed to be safe, reliable and compliant with federal regulations.

In this episode, we sit down with Vanessa Cozine to learn about pipelines and her experience in the energy transportation sector.  Vanessa is an environmental systems engineer with over twenty years of experience, both on the regulator side at the National Energy Board and on the energy transportation side with Enbridge.  In this conversation, Vanessa encourages women to think about a career in engineering, and she offers advice to all new graduates when they look for that first job to start their career.

What happens when the power goes out?  It seems as though life comes to a halt.  Who are the engineers that help ensure we have a safe and reliable source of electricity?

In this episode we sit down with Jason Whitelaw, an electronic systems engineer who works at SaskPower, the principal electric utility in Saskatchewan.  Jason is one of hundreds of engineers who work to provide a reliable source of electricity for residents and industry.  In this conversation he tells us about his path to engineering and what he currently does as a technical services engineer in the power production side of the company.

Would you like to get practical work experience that relates to your degree while you are studying as a student in university?  It almost sounds too good to be true.

In this episode we sit down with Carlo Palazzo, a Coordinator in the Co-operative Education and Internship Program at the University of Regina.  He outlines how students can get real life work experience related to their engineering program while they are studying for their degree.  In addition to gaining experience, students make contacts in industry and… they get paid!  In this conversation we learn how these types of programs are a win-win for both the students and the employers.

Going to university can be intimidating.  To make matters worse, engineering programs have a reputation of being very difficult.  The truth is that millions of people have graduated from engineering programs around the world, so it does not need to be scary.  Success comes from hard work, commitment, and perseverance.

In this episode we sit down with Justin Gwilliam, a fourth year Industrial Systems Engineering student who is graduation this spring.  We talk about his experience as an engineering student, getting involved in extra-curricular activities, and his participation in the co-operative education program.  Justin offers good advice and encouragement to anyone who is thinking about studying engineering.

Do you like playing around with electronics?  Have you ever fixed your computer, built a small robot, or programmed a control system?  Have you noticed that we are surrounded by electronics in our day-to-day lives?

In this episode we sit down with Dave Duguid to learn about Electronic Systems Engineering.  For the past 37 years, he has taught the electronic laboratories at the University of Regina.  In our conversation he highlights the importance of hands-on laboratories in an engineering education, and he gives examples of the types of careers students can have when they graduate from this program.

People often have a hard time describing what engineers do in their day-to-day work.  This is because the career paths are so diverse, it is hard to come up with a common definition.

In this episode, we visit a local elementary school and high school to talk with students about engineering.  Listen to what students in Kindergarten, Grade 6, and Grades 10-12 have to say about what engineers do in their jobs.  Their answers are very insightful and demonstrate that we need to have more conversations with engineers to learn just exactly what it is they do in their careers.

In this introductory episode of Engineering Conversations, we will learn about the host David deMontigny and the goals for this podcast.  

Quite simply, Engineering Conversations is a series of conversations with engineers, students and engineering stakeholders.  We will learn what is going on in the profession of engineering, across a wide range of sectors.

These conversations will help showcase the profession and help people understand what it is that engineers do in their day to day work.