Engineering Conversations

Send us Fan Mail
Over the course of a long engineering career it is likely that the engineer will work in a variety of sectors and be exposed to many industries.  Along the way, the engineer gains knowledge and experience, becoming an expert and mentor in those fields.

In this episode we sit down with Kathryn Black to learn about her extensive career as a mechanical engineer.  Over a period of 40 years, Kathryn worked in a wide range of jobs and sectors in private industry and government.  Kathryn has worked on steam turbines, coal-fired boilers, and as a maintenance engineer in the food industry.  Kathryn also spent a large part of her career working as an inspector for boiler and pressure vessels.  During that time she loved working with people to develop improved regulations and standards so that equipment can stay safe and in service.  As she heads into retirement, Kathryn reflects on her career and offers advice to young people thinking about studying engineering at university.

Send us Fan Mail
What does it take to manufacture complex industrial equipment?  It takes a team of talented individuals to meet with the client and develop a feasible solution.  Engineers involved in the manufacturing sector have to design and build products that meet the client’s expectations, while at the same time satisfy industry standards for safety and efficiency.

In this episode we sit down with Josh Dumalski to learn about his career in design and manufacturing.  Josh has a background in Industrial Systems engineering and seventeen years of experience working in the rail, mining, and consulting industries.  Josh is currently a Project Manager at Rockford Engineering Works.  In this conversation, he talks about his journey in engineering and some of the projects he has worked on in his career.  Josh also offers advice to young people that are thinking about a career in engineering.

Send us Fan Mail
Did you know that before large civil projects are completed they have to undergo a geotechnical assessment?  This is so the engineers can determine the structural properties of the soil.  It does not matter if it is the construction of a new highway, a dam, a new building, or a railroad.  Geotechnical engineers will study the soil conditions and make recommendations to structural engineers so they can design a proper foundation.

In this episode we sit down with Ilyas Akram.  Ilyas has a background in civil engineering and a love for geotechnical engineering.  He has ten years of experience in the field in addition to his academic training.  His career has taking him from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia, Japan, and Canada.  Ilyas is currently a Geotechnical Project Manager at the Government of Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways.  In this conversation, he talks about his passion for geotechnical engineering (and cooking!).  Ilyas also offers advice to young people that are thinking about studying engineering at university.

Send us Fan Mail
How many of us have spent time star gazing at night?  Most of us do this for fun, hoping to see a shooting star, spot a planet, or find a constellation.  Scientists take things a step further and use high tech equipment to study our universe.  In order to do this research, scientists need help from engineers to design and build ground-based telescopes.

In this episode we sit down with Sarah Gajadhar.  Sarah has a background in Electronic Systems engineering an over 20 years of experience working on world class astronomical observatories.  In this conversation, Sarah tells us about some of the projects and telescopes that she has worked on in Hawaii and Chile.  Sarah also offers advice to young people that are thinking about going to university to studying engineering.

Send us Fan Mail
Have you ever thought about how many items around your home are made from products that came from a mine?  Whether it is copper, gold, aluminum, diamonds, or iron, these materials came from a mine and the mining industry relies on engineers to help run their operations.

In this episode we sit down with Ibe Marcus.  Ibe has a background in Industrial Systems engineering and twelve years of experience in the energy and mining sectors.  The bulk of his career has been in the mining where he has worked as a maintenance and reliability engineer.  Ibe is currently a Senior Reliability Advisor with Rio Tinto.  In this conversation Ibe tells about his journey in engineering and some of the remote mine sites he has worked at in the Northwest Territories and Mongolia.  Ibe also offers advice to young people that are thinking about studying engineering at university.