Samuel Adeboye, Student Engagement Specialist at McMaster Engineering’s Centre for Career Growth and Experience (the Centre) has straightforward advice for engineering students: find new ways to get involved.
Samuel and the student engagement team at the Centre work to empower you and show the many ways you can leverage your time at McMaster to build a resume that not only stands out but truly reflects the diverse skills and experiences you’ve gained.
With more than 70 clubs and teams offered to McMaster Engineering students, getting involved in one or more of these groups is a game-changer for your career prospects.
Whether you’re part of a technical team like the Solar Car Project or the McMaster Rocketry Team, or involved in non-technical clubs like the Mcmaster Society for Enginiering Research these experiences allow you to apply the skills you’ve learned in the classroom in real-world scenarios.
Here are the top five ways you can start getting meaningful experience outside of co-op as a McMaster Engineering student:
One of the best ways to gain practical experience is by joining a club or team. When you participate in an experience like the McMaster Mars Rover team, you’re not just participating in a cool project—you’re developing the technical skills that will set you apart in job interviews. Employers are always looking for candidates who have experience demonstrating their problem-solving abilities and technical expertise in a hands-on environment.
Competitions like the Hackathon for change or the annual McMaster Engineering Competition are fantastic opportunities to showcase your creativity and technical skills. These events give you a platform to solve real-world problems under pressure, which is something employers highly value. Plus, they’re a lot of fun and a great way to network with other students and industry professionals.
Undergraduate research is another valuable way to strengthen your resume. Whether you’re working on renewable energy solutions or advancing materials science, research gives you a chance to dive deep into a subject you’re passionate about and contribute to cutting-edge projects. Research in Mac Eng labs happen alongside graduate students and faculty, which offers invaluable mentorship.
In the field of engineering, who you know can be just as important as what you know. Events such as the Industry Meets Materials Night or Heavy Construction Industry Night are perfect opportunities to make connections that could lead to internships, co-ops and even job offers. At the Centre, we’ve seen students who organized and participated in these events go on to secure leadership roles right after graduation because they demonstrated their ability to manage projects and build networks.
Volunteering is another great way to build your resume. Whether you’re involved with organizations like Engineers Without Borders or participating in community outreach through the Engineering community outreach office you’re developing interpersonal and transferable skills that are crucial in any career. Plus, it shows employers that you’re well-rounded and capable of balancing different priorities.
Our advice to all students is to take full advantage of the resources and opportunities at the Centre. Get out of your comfort zone, try different things and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Whether it’s joining any of the 70+ student groups, participating in research or volunteering, these experiences will give you the edge you need to succeed in the competitive job market. Start now, build your resume and make future you proud.
For more guidance on volunteering, clubs and teams and getting involved in the Fireball Family, contact Samuel at adeboyes@mcmaster.ca or/and the student engagement team at the Centre: engengagement@mcmaster.ca.
