CIBC Hall was abuzz with activity on April 9 during the second Mechanical Engineering Graduate Seminar. Students from various specializations showcased their research to peers and supervisors.
This semester’s event introduced an exciting new feature: an industry panel. This addition provided students with valuable insights into professional careers. The panelists included Pauline Levean, Sr. Director of Global Quality EHS & Innovation at Recurrent Energy; Alin Pop, Supervisor of Mechanical Engineering at MDA Space; and Ally Amin Hirji, Manufacturing Director at PepsiCo Food Canada.
The seminar’s primary goal is to enhance graduate students’ communication skills. However, the inclusion of industry professionals also aimed to inspire students to plan for their post-graduate careers, according to Andrew Gadsden, Associate Professor and Associate Chair of Graduate Studies in Mechanical Engineering.
“We want our graduate students to be planning ahead for their futures, and who better to give them advice and insight into life after Mac than someone who has been in their shoes and is now thriving in the professional workforce,” he said.
Here are five key takeaways from the industry panel:
Focus on “soft” or transferable skills
All three panelists echoed the sentiment that the best way to stand out from the crowd when applying to jobs after graduate studies is to highlight soft skills just as much as technical skills. Hirji shared that the successful applicant looks like someone who has great communication and a problem-solving attitude.
“We are looking for employees who show core values of the company; collaboration, trust, teamwork, engaged in extracurricular activities, pursuing professional development and always learning something new,” says Levean.
Never stop networking
Networking is important from day one and is fundamental to your career, shares the panel. It is not just key to securing a job and starting your career but is just as critical once you’re already in a job as well. Making connections within your organization and asking thoughtful questions is the best way to show you’re interested in your work and colleagues and can support professional development at that company.
“Try to meet a new person each day for the first six months you join a company,” advises Pop. “Have lunch with people and introduce yourself, make a personal connection you may not get a chance to create in your day-to-day duties.”
Levean also added that the best way to network is often being in person. “Having that face-to-face interaction is essential in relationship building. People are getting to know you as a person and not just as your job title and what you do,” she says.
Staying connected to people throughout your academic journey was also a tip shared by the panel, highlighting LinkedIn as a great tool during and post-graduation.
Be empowered by your mistakes
There is a lot of pressure to do every task perfectly in a role, but mistakes happen, and it’s important that you embrace them rather than allow them to demotivate you, say the panelists.
“Don’t hide a mistake, every mistake can be fixed,” says Levean. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
Reflecting on some errors he has seen in the workplace, Hirji walked the students through ways issues were eventually resolved and reiterated that the ideal employee brings a positive problem-solving attitude to their role, especially when things don’t go as planned.
“Don’t make the same mistake twice, learn as much as you can from them and do your very best to find a solution,” added Pop.
Career paths are usually non-linear – and that’s okay
While you may go into your engineering education thinking you will become one thing, it is likely that your interests and goals will change completely multiple times throughout your journey, even from your undergraduate to graduate degree.
Pop shares that he had never thought about aerospace before, mainly focusing his studies and work on automotive and engine combustion. Hijiri shared his early work experiences began with a mining focus, but he eventually ended up in manufacturing. Levean began working full-time before enrolling in a post-secondary program.
All three had different paths to their success and emphasized the importance of being open-minded to opportunities that arise and be open to changing course to discover new areas that may be a better fit professionally and personally.
Find ways to build your portfolio as a student
While still a student, there are several ways to stand out on your resume when applying for a job post-graduation, says the panel.
Participating in co-op programs is top of that list, as it provides students with professional experience to add onto their resume. Levean shares that she actively hires co-op students and finds it’s the best way to get students to learn a whole range of skills at different companies. Having all these experiences allows students to know a lot more about themselves and make better decisions once they are preparing to enter the workforce.
Get involved in extracurricular clubs and teams that showcase both technical and soft skills was also discussed as a great option to build a student’s resume but also expand networks. Student groups like the Women in Engineering club for example, Levean says, will develop students’ networks further through alumni engagement, networking and industry nights.
Explore co-op and professional development opportunities available to McMaster Engineering students at the Centre for Career Growth and Experience.
Learn more about graduate studies in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.