Movers & Shakers
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WOMEN PLUS STEM PLUS SUCCESS Lois Erichson, P.Eng. , an operations leader for NOVA Chemicals near Red Deer, began her career in the early 1980s — when women were even less commonplace in careers related to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) than they are today. She’s learned a few things over those years, which she shared during a free, all-day workshop for women to connect and inspire, held at the University of Alberta in early May. Don’t try to do absolutely everything and do outsource time-consuming tasks like yardwork, advised Ms. Erichson. She shared her experiences with about 45 women, most of them academic professionals from STEM careers in Western Canada who had gathered to discuss challenges and opportunities in their fields. APEGA Members Amy Kim, P.Eng., PhD , and Ania Ulrich, P.Eng., PhD , both U of A professors, designed the free, all-day workshop for women to connect and inspire. In addition to lectures, the Women in Science and Engineering Advancement Workshop featured breakout sessions for brainstorming and networking, as well as a speed mentoring session that connected senior facilitators with junior participants. Topics included overcoming obstacles and building confidence, maintaining a work-life balance, and devel- oping an inclusive work environment. “Someone has to step up, organize, and host the entire event,” Dr. Ulrich says in an online news item posted by the U of A Faculty of Engineering. “There are so few female faculty and we burn out with all the service we do.” At the conference, it was announced that Dr. Ulrich will become the new Associate Dean of Outreach for the faculty, a testimony to its growing inclusiveness. COMBINED DEGREE PROGRAM PUTS STUDENTS IN THE BUSINESS FAST LANE “Do I want a career in business? Or do I want to pursue engineering instead?” While both offer great opportunities, many ambitious high school graduates are forced to make that difficult choice. But not anymore, at least if they’re planning to go to the University of Calgary. A new joint degree program offers a bachelor of science in engineering and a bach- elor of commerce, in as little as five years of study.
“Before I came to the university, I was torn between pursuing engineering or business, and when I saw the opportunity to do both, I jumped at it,” Scott McNichol, one of the nine students who form the first cohort, told UToday , the university’s online news service. The first of its kind in Western Canada, the program puts students on a demanding schedule, but promises to be an excellent choice for those seeking the best of both academic worlds. Jim Dewald, Dean of the Haskayne School of Business, has engineering and business degrees. He said the new program will help future engineers better understand the business side of the projects they work on. The reverse is true, too. Those with a business bent will gain more knowledge about technical challenges. “This kind of program is long overdue in a city like Calgary and I am confident these students will make a significant impact in our community,” says Mr. Dewald. Adds Schulich School of Engineering Dean Bill Rosehart, P.Eng., PhD : “The ability to combine engi- neering and business opens new doors and broadens career horizons for our students.” The University of Calgary officially launched the program in May. A $5-million gift from Clayton and Linda Woitas and family will support program delivery and marketing, student recruitment, and scholarships. Clayton Woitas is a Calgary Business Hall of Fame laureate and is currently the chair of Encana’s board of directors. His wife and their sons, Josh and Carson, are University of Calgary alumni. COMBINING FOR SUCCESS From left are Varun Bhatt, Scott McNichol, Aster Lau, Jerry Yang, Cyndora Chan, and Marion Brown, the first cohort of a new pro- gram at the University of Calgary that combines business and engineering education. -photo by Riley Brandt, University of Calgary
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