Engineering student Anna Netecha is ready to make a difference in the field of civil engineering, a career path she's chosen with a passion for practical work. Born in Ukraine, Netecha has been living in Canada since 2023 and is currently in her final year of the Civil Engineering Technician program at Sault College. Civil engineering is a field that designs and maintains essential infrastructure, playing a vital role in land development. Netecha's hands-on experience and interest in the field led her to work for the City of Sault Ste. Marie's engineering department during her second and third semesters. She assisted with tasks such as traffic counts and land surveys, learning that no civil engineering project is a solo effort. Netecha's educational journey has included technical shops at the college, where she and her classmates learned about power tools, construction materials, health and safety regulations, bidding processes, and specialized software and blueprints. The process can be stressful, but the satisfaction and joy of completing a project are immense. The demand for civil engineers is high, and the field needs more people to enter it. Marc Pilon, a professor and coordinator of Sault College's Civil Engineering and Construction programs, notes that their students have a great track record and that there is a shortage of individuals in the civil engineering profession across Ontario. A survey by the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers showed that only 40% of engineering graduates are working in the field of engineering after graduation, as many move to management and the public sector. This creates more demand for civil engineers in the private sector. Pilon attributes the shortage of civil engineers to the fact that 30% of them are over 50 and nearing retirement. The federal government's recent announcement of a new Major Projects Office will open up opportunities for civil engineering graduates across Canada. Students can start with a two-year college diploma to become a civil engineering technician and then move to a three-year college diploma to become a technologist. There are also university-level engineering degrees. While all engineers generally work on the same projects under the civil engineering umbrella, the type of work often reflects their educational backgrounds. A civil engineering technician or technologist will focus on fieldwork such as land surveys, inspections, material testing, and design support and drafting. An engineering degree program graduate, especially one with a Professional Engineers License, will be focused on detailed design calculations, contract specifications, project management, and technical writing. Students who enjoy hands-on learning are encouraged to start at the college level and progress upwards. Math and science skills are key, but problem-solving and being 'trainable' are the most important. Regardless of the level of education, the real training begins on the job. Graduates need to be versatile and knowledgeable about codes and standards, while being able to problem-solve and work on a team. Netecha is looking forward to her graduation and is already seeking employment with local engineering firms, confident of getting hired. She has summer experience and is passionate about finding a job in the field, feeling that it is the right field for her.
