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engHERO: Michelle Moxley-Peltier

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What is one thing you wish you knew about engineering when you were in high school?

I wish that I knew how complex and multifaceted engineering was, and how most problems are solved in group settings.  When I was in high school, I assumed that I would need to know how to do everything myself as I would work independently. Although there is independent work required, the ability to communicate, collaborate, and delegate are also important.  You don’t have to know how to do everything, but you do need to know what you need to accomplish, how to communicate it, and who you can call on for assistance.

What piece of advice would I give my high school self?

I would tell my high school self to relax and be kind to yourself.  Much of the pressure (stress) I will face in the future is the pressure (stress) I place on myself. 

There won’t be enough time in the day to do everything perfectly.  Prioritization, time-management, and delegation will be your friend.  Understand that you will not be able to physically do everything on your own. 

There will be areas of study that baffle and confuse you.  Be open to networking with others who can provide a different perspective and are willing to share their knowledge and expertise.  The people you connect with in university and in the workforce can become life-long friends.

What made you want to pursue engineering?

I was a curious and mischievous child.  From the time I could walk, I would find new and interesting ways to get into things (trouble was my nickname).  I grew up fascinated with electrical cords, lights, and appliances.  I was the kid who chewed on electrical cords, thought Christmas tree lights were edible, stuck hairpins and paperclips into electrical sockets, and took apart things (while they were plugged in) to see how they worked.  Fortunately, my father, an industrial electrician was able to redirect my focus away from electrocuting myself and setting the house on fire.  He’d let me help (aka hinder) him as he performed household maintenance tasks.  He taught me the fundamentals of electricity and electrical safety.  Through our interactions, my father shared his love of his profession, his ability to perform algebra and trigonometry in his head (the man’s crazy smart), and his hope that I would take advantage of an opportunity he didn’t have: the opportunity to attend college or university.  I believe this daughter-daddy time greatly influenced my later decision to pursue engineering.

What branch of engineering is your major and how did you decide on it?

I majored in Electrical Engineering and graduated Western in 1997.

Throughout elementary and secondary school, I excelled at math and science.  With my marks, I was encouraged by several teachers and guidance counselors to pursue a career in healthcare as at the time, girls with high marks in math and science became doctors or nurses.  I knew that this wouldn’t be a fit for me, as I faint at the sight of blood, and hate needles.  When I was in grade 11, I took a serious look at my experiences, skills, and interests to try and determine what I wanted to study in university.  I asked myself 3 questions:

  • What am I good at?
  • What motivates and excites me?
  • What is the one thing I want to do?

My answers?

  • I’m good at most subjects but excel at history, math, and physics.
  • Walking through my father’s workplace and seeing robots, CNC machines, and conveyor systems.
  • I want to one day work alongside my father.

I chose Western Engineering primarily because of the common first year program.  When I entered University, I didn’t know if I wanted to become an Electrical or a Mechanical Engineer.  The first-year program, along with the student vehicle teams provided me with the experience and knowledge to make my final decision.

What have you done with your engineering degree?

In the 23 years since graduating from Western, I’ve had a variety of experiences in a number of fields. I’ve worked as an Engineer in Information Technology Services, Automotive Controls, Energy Efficiency, and Utility planning and construction.  With each role, I’ve adapted to changes in function, responsibilities, and technology.   I’ve followed my heart and let my interests and aspirations guide me on my engineering journey.  While not completely electrical in focus, I’ve continued to use aspects of my electrical engineering degree in my current role. 

My greatest accomplishment to date was realizing my high school dream of working alongside my father. I was appointed his acting supervisor (aka boss) and we spent his last day before retirement together.

What advice would you give to a young female who is considering the field of engineering, but isn’t sure if it’s right for them?

Engineering is everywhere.  I like to use the analogy of the “Pick your Own Adventure” books I used to read as a child; the books with different journeys and endings depending on decisions.  I view engineering in the same way.  With the theory and principles learned from engineering, young ladies can pick their own adventure.  No matter what interests, motivates, or inspires you, through engineering you can contribute.  If you can think it, you can do it.  Engineers play important roles in all areas of society.  From the moment we wake up in the morning until we lay down at the end of the day to sleep, aspects of engineering is involved in everything we do.

Is engineering right for you?  I recognize that engineering may not be a fit for everyone.  My advice to young females is to not discount it as an option at an early age.  I recommend resisting the temptation to opt out of math and science in elementary school as these subjects are perceived by girls as being too hard.  Math and science can be challenging, but they can also be extremely rewarding, just stick with it.  Keep in mind that math and science will also open doors to other disciplines.

I’ve met many female engineers, each with unique skills, perspectives, and aspirations.  What unites us is our desire to contribute and make the world a better place, be it designing a longer wear lipstick, the development of new apps and video games, or the constructing roads, dams, and buildings.   We have all chosen to design our own adventure and have used engineering to excel.

Who is Julie Payette?

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Quick facts!

Who: Governor General Julie Payette is an engineer, former NASA astronaut, scientific broadcaster and corporate director.

What: In 1992, Julie was selected for the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut corps. She was a part of two spaceflights and served as the CAPCOM (Capsule Communicator) for many more. She went on to serve as the CSA’s chief astronaut for seven years.

Where: Julie graduated from McGill University with a degree in Electrical Engineering and from the University of Toronto with a Master’s in Computer Engineering. During Julie’s time in space, she worked on the International Space Station (ISS) and its Mobile Servicing System, now known as the Canadarm2.

When: Julie first visited space in 1999, and was the second ever spaceflight to the ISS. Her second spaceflight was in 2009 on the space shuttle Endeavor. In 2013, Julie retired from the CSA and in 2017, Julie was named the Governor General of Canada where she still serves today.

Julie was first invested into the Order of Canada in 2010, and is a Knight of the Ordre national du Québec. She stands as an inspiration to young girls that their dreams in STEM are within reach and is a role model to aspiring engineers and astronauts everywhere.

Engineering Scholarships

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So you’ve decided you want to become an engineer – what’s the next step? Looking at universities and colleges is a good bet, but all the fees attached can sometimes feel overwhelming. To help ease your fears, here are 5 scholarships that exist for helping Canadian high school students just like you pursue a STEM degree!

MPOWER Financing – Women in STEM Scholarship

Targeted at women who want to benefit society through the use of a STEM degree, to qualify you must be accepted to, or currently enrolled full time in a STEM program. The scholarship has 3 awards available, with a $3000 Grand Prize and two $1000 honourable mentions.

Website: https://www.mpowerfinancing.com/scholarships/women-in-stem/?utm_source=swe&utm_medium=link&utm_content=02%2F20%2F2019–scholarship

De Beers Group Scholarships for Canadian Women

These scholarships work to assist women, especially those from Indigenous communities, who are pursuing a future in STEM. They offer 4 $2,175 USD awards with preference given to Indigenous women from the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Northern Ontario, and Southern Alberta

Website: https://canada.debeersgroup.com/building-forever/scholarships-for-canadian-women

Linamar Scholarships for Women in Engineering and Business

The Linamar Scholarships for Women in Engineering and Business will support up to 10 female students entering HBA 1 with the intention of completing the dual degree program in Engineering and Ivey (BESc/HBA) with the following – Half the cost of tuition, Co-op at Linamar, and guaranteed employment upon graduation.

Website: https://www.eng.uwo.ca/women-in-engineering/linamar-scholarships.html

ORBA Scholarships

ORBA offers 4 different scholarships for students pursuing civil engineering at an Ontario college or university. They have two $2000 scholarships for current high school students who will be entering their first year of postsecondary education, and two for university students in their last year of study.

Website: https://orba.org/scholarships/

Toptal Scholarships for Women: Empowering Future Female Leaders to Change the World

This scholarship is open to women age 16 and over who are future leaders that want to change the world for the better. Aspiring engineers have won in the past, and 5 winners receive $10,000 and a one year long mentorship with a Toptal expert.

Website: https://www.toptal.com/scholarships-for-women#eligibility

Schulich Leadership Scholarships

Schulich Leadership Scholarships are one of the most sought after scholarships in Canada. The winning students receive $100,000 towards an engineering degree! One student per high school is able to be nominated, so it’s a good idea to talk to your guidance counselor if you’re interested.

Website: https://www.schulichleaders.com/#slide-top

Applying to a post secondary institution shouldn’t have to be scary, and this is just a starting point for the options available to you out there! Many schools have entrance scholarships based on your academic records and involvement, as well as a number of financial awards you can apply to on their websites. This is just the beginning!

3 Ways Universities Support Female Engineering Students

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Source: Medium

As a girl, it can be intimidating to study a profession that is very male-dominated. Thankfully, universities are making an effort to ensure that any of their female engineering students feel supported and empowered throughout their university career. Here are 3 ways that universities are making this possible:

Women in Engineering Societies

Societies (similar to clubs) are a great way to meet like-minded students and build a community at your school. Joining a Women in Engineering society will connect you with students in different years, invite you to exciting social events and even allow for leadership opportunities on campus.

Scholarships

Schools are offering scholarships specifically for females entering or currently in their engineering programs (like this Women for STEM fund at Ontario Tech University). These scholarships are usually promoted on the university’s website, but you can also learn more about them through high school guidance counsellors or a quick call to the university’s Student Awards department.

Conferences

Conferences can be a great way to build your network of female engineering students beyond your own university. They can also be an amazing opportunity to hear from industry professionals and introduce you to companies that you may work for one day!

There is no better time to be a woman in engineering and hopefully, these resources reignite your motivation to join the field.

engHERO: Isabel Higgon

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What is one thing you wish you knew about engineering when you were in high school?

I wish I knew how diverse the field of Engineering really is. I had a very specific goal in mind when I applied to Engineering. I still have the same goal, but I learned that it’s important to start the program with an open mind, because there are so many exciting paths you can take, and it’s best to take the time to find the one that meets both your interests and personal strengths.

What made you want to pursue engineering?

I am a really creative person, so the idea of being able to work in a field where my job is to create and design useful things that solve problems is so interesting to me. I was also interested in finding a community of peers with similar interests and aspirations. The engineering community is amazing. I have met so many great friends. We all have a lot of fun and keep each other going through hard times like exams!

What branch of engineering is your major and how did you decide on it?

I am in Software Engineering. I took the programming course that all first year students take when I was in grade 12, and I fell in love with coding. There is something amazing about the feeling I get when I run a working program that I created myself, and when I work hard and finally solve a bug in my code to get it working. I also love how diverse software is. You can work in basically any field. Literally almost everything has some sort of code in it. Even things like your refrigerator!

What do you plan on doing with your engineering degree?

I hope to enter the space industry. I have a huge passion for space and I would love to become an astronaut in the future! I am hoping to enrol in a concurrent degree with astrophysics. I have begun a Japanese minor and I would really love to do a semester in Japan. Upon graduation, I hope to work in the space industry and to continue learning to gain more relevant experience in pursuit of my goal!

What advice would you give to a young female who is considering the field of engineering, but isn’t sure if it’s right for them?

I did a number of outreach programs with my university (Western) while I was in high school, and they really helped me learn what engineering was all about. They gave me the opportunity to talk to current students and mentors which helped a lot! I would recommend seeing if there are any programs or open houses at the post secondary institutions you are considering. I learned so much about engineering and the university, as well as many things about student life that weren’t mentioned in the brochures!

Lifelong Friendships Formed Through Women in Engineering

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Women in Engineering (WiE) is a common society within university engineering faculties, providing female engineering students with networking opportunities and exposure to the workforce. While joining WiE seems like an obvious choice for students hoping to develop their professional skills, the group is also an important resource for female students to build a community for themselves in a field where they may feel isolated.

Meet Stella (right) and Chikodili (left), two Mechatronics Engineering students at Ontario Tech University whose lifelong friendship was formed through their school’s Women in Engineering society.

How did you both discover Women in Engineering?

Stella and Chikodili both credit university advisors for introducing them to the Women in Engineering society on campus. They were told that joining the group would give them a way to get involved on campus, meet other female engineering students and participate in fun meetings and events.

How did you two meet?

The two girls first met in the fall of 2019 at the first WiE meeting of the school year. It was almost like a meet and greet party – there was food, music and plenty of opportunities to meet other WiE members in a light-hearted environment. Once the two girls realized that they were in the same program, their friendship blossomed.

Later, through WiE’s Peer Mentorship program, Stella and Chikodili were coincidentally paired together as mentor and mentee. They both share that they are grateful for the stronger connection they got to form as time went on, which was fostered by WiE’s emphasis on meaningful female connections.

What is your favourite part about being a member of Women in Engineering?

Stella’s favourite part about being a member of WiE is the career exposure and connections to industry professionals that members get through their monthly events. One of her favourite memories has been touring ABC Technologies, a world leader in automotive systems and components manufacturing, and getting exposed to the working life of an engineer. Stella also says that being a part of a community where you feel welcomed and like you belong only makes the experience even more amazing.

Chikodili’s favorite part of being a WiE society member is the engagement events, career workshops and outreach programming. She really enjoys meeting new people, developing professional and interpersonal skills, and the sense of community that is present at each event. She also says that it is hard not to enjoy an event when there is food present, which is a WiE staple.

If you could give advice to any future female engineering students who are nervous about finding friends in university, what would you say?

Don’t be afraid and just put yourself out there! There’s a whole community waiting for the awesomeness that you have to bring. Step outside your comfort zone because baby steps do take you a long way. The Women in Engineering society is a great place to start. Not only do you get to meet amazing people, they are experiencing the same student life that you are and serve as a great wealth of knowledge.

Stella and Chikodili both wish you all the best in your future university journey and want to remind you to shine bright like the star you are!