My name is Serena, and I will be entering my 3B term of Architectural Engineering in the W22 term. I graduate in 2023 and I am a part of the first
Waterloo Engineering in one word:
Hectic
I choose Waterloo Engineering because:
Mainly because of the co-op program, but also the high level of support we receive from our profs and TAs in an academic setting. I found in first year there was a lot more help given to us to adjust to the university life in comparison to some of my friends attending other Ontario universities.
The best thing about my program is:
The number of women in it. The year I started, I believe AE had the most females in the program out of all of the other engineering programs.
About my Co-op experience:
I’ve been able to work at both Architecture and Engineering firms, along with a research term here at UW. The experiences I’ve had have been great in helping me narrow down what area I would like to work in after I graduate. So far my favourite co-op term has been with LRI Engineering as a building code consultant intern.
I wish I had known before I came:
There is a big stereotype that UW is lacking a social scene, but I promise you that is not true. I am a very social person who, although studies very hard, I enjoy time off with my friends as well, so this was a bit of a worry for me when I came to the campus. I found that many students have a similar mindset, so finding social outlets was easier than expected.
Outside the classroom, I’m involved with:
Not a lot! I participate in lettuce club from time to time (competition to eat lettuce as fast as you can), but I spend most of my free time just hanging out with my friends. I have a few students that I mentor, as I prefer to work with students one on one rather than a bunch on a smaller scale.
A fun project I’ve completed:
My 1A project was a 1:10 model of a mirrored cabin type building. We used mirror board on the outside to mimic the effect we were going for. To save space we decided to have a table hidden in the floor and a bed that came down from the roof, and the model was fully functional allowing you to actually move the bed and table within it.
One more thing about me:
In my free time (mostly on co-ops) I always try to fill a sketchbook with paintings and drawings! I think its important to keep interests alive that aren’t directly related to engineering.