Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC
APEGBC Student Newsletter
Upcoming Events
Issue 15/Fall 2016
What is it?
The APEGBC Student Newsletter
is provided to engineering and
earth science students across the
province of British Columbia.
What’s in it?
Scholarship information,
networking advice, puzzles, and
tips to improve your financial
future.
This Edition:
Students and industry members network at the APEGBC Student and Industry Night at SFU Surrey.
APEGBC Annual Conference and AGM: Connect and Discover
Join us in Victoria, October 20–22, for APEGBC’s Annual Conference and AGM.
Student members receive a discounted conference package price of $50 (oneday package) or $100 (two-day package). The event will feature exciting keynote
speakers, informative professional development sessions, and entertaining
networking events.
To find out more or to register, visit www.apeg.bc.ca/Annual-Conference-and-AGM.
UBC Student and Industry Night
The APEGBC Student Program is hosting a free Student and Industry Night at the
University of British Columbia on November 17, 2016. This fun and casual evening
provides a great opportunity for students to meet industry professionals who share
their knowledge, career anecdotes and advice with engineering and geoscience
students. It’s also a great opportunity to socialize and network with fellow engineers.
Advanced registration is recommended.
Please visit apeg.bc.ca/Events/Events/2016/16NOVUBS for more information.
Industry-Student Night Presented by ASTTBC and APEGBC
The Industry-Student Pub Night, presented by ASTTBC and APEGBC, takes
place at Professor Mugs Pub at BCIT, November 22, 2016. This event is a great
opportunity for engineering and technologist students to meet members of ASTTBC
and APEGBC in a relaxed setting. This event is free for all attendees.
Please register in advance at apeg.bc.ca/Events/Events/2016/16NOVBCS.
Five Tips for Better
Networking2-3
– Sean Garrity, EIT
Photo Contest Winner
3
– Winner of the APEGBC Student
Photo Contest
Scholarships4
– APEG Foundation & APEGBC
Branch Scholarship Information
Own Your Financial Future 5-6
– Karen Chan, P.Eng., CPA, CMA
Babcock Canada
– Sponsor Recognition
6
Distraction Page Sudoku, Word Scrambles,
Puzzles & More
7
Solutions8
Sudoku, Word Scrambles,
Puzzles solutions
APEGBC Student News/Fall 2016
Five Tips for Better Networking
Sean Garrity, EIT
Networking is an important skill for enhancing and improving your future success. Below are five strategies that can be
used to take the work out of networking and make it fun:
1. Set SMART Networking Goals
Invigorate networking events by creating a series
of SMART goals. SMART goal setting means that
your goals are Specific, Measureable, Attainable,
Relevant, and Timely. There are countless articles on
the art of SMART goal setting, but don’t get hung up
on the details. The point is to set goals that will make
the event fun and engaging. Some goals that I have
used in the past are:
● I will meet five new people this evening and
send a follow-up email containing an article or
information that is relevant to our conversation
within 48 hours of the event.
● I will speak with three people who are not wearing
black shoes.
Students and industry members practice their networking skills at the November 2015
Student and Industry Night at UBC.
● I will help two people successfully make a new
connection tonight.
2. Prepare 6.5 Interesting Questions
Listening is the most important skill for a good conversationalist. With that in mind, it is a fantastic idea to prepare 6.5
questions before any networking event. The six questions should be unique and interesting. Below are four examples of
questions that are great for networking events:
● If you could do anything, knowing that you would not fail, what would you do?
● What’s the worst piece of advice you have ever received about your career?
● What is something you want to achieve before the year is over?
● If you were on a cross country road trip, would you prefer to share a car with Justin Trudeau or Jimmy Pattison?
The 0.5 question should be the first half of a question that you complete once you are further into the conversation. For
example, “If you could change one part of ________, what would it be? “ The question should be specific and relevant
to your conversation.
3. Add Flair to Your Elevator Pitch
An elevator pitch is a 30-second introduction that provides the other party a quick intro to who you are and what you
do. Early in your career, it can be difficult to add individuality to your elevator pitch, so I recommend adding a bonus
sentence that jump starts the conversation. This bonus information should be something positive, unique, and that
you are enthusiastic about. For example, “My name is Sean Garrity. [insert elevator pitch] and I want to hike to Machu
Picchu this summer.” We immediately have something to speak about.
4. Smile the Entire Event
Smiling can help you in three key ways:
1. Smiling puts us in a better mood by releasing feel-good endorphins.
2. Smiling reduces stress by limiting the release of cortisol, a hormone that increases stress levels.
3. Smiling makes us appear more approachable.
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APEGBC Student News/Fall 2016
5. Plan a Post-Event Coffee
Plan a time after each event to check-in with a friend or colleague. Reflect on how the event progressed, how you feel,
and how different interactions felt. Talk about the questions you attempted and the responses that you received—did
they work? Spend some time looking through the contacts you made and discuss a strategy for the best way to followup. This check-in should be fun and light hearted. It should be something that you are excited to do and a time where
you can share stories about what happened at the event, laugh at your mistakes, and determine ways to be better
prepared for next time.
I hope these five tips help you enjoy networking as much as I do. APEGBC regularly hosts networking events that can
give you a chance to practice some of these skills.
Good luck, have fun, and keep smiling.
Sean Garrity, EIT, is a BCIT electrical engineering graduate and former APEGBC Student Member. He is now a
junior engineer at BBA. If you are looking for opportunities to practice or expand your network, Sean invites
you to connect on LinkedIn. He regularly attends and organizes networking events and seminars.
BCIT Student Wins APEGBC Photo Contest
Congratulations to Spencer Behn, a civil
engineering student at BCIT, for his winning
submission to the inaugural APEGBC
Student Photo Contest.
His photograph, “Lights, Guideway, Action!”, shows the
westbound signal lights mounted on the guideway of
the new Evergreen Line between Lincoln Station and
Coquitlam Central Station, over Barnet Highway. The
picture offers a unique perspective on an everyday object.
The photo was taken last summer, when Behn worked
as a traffic assistant at the City of Coquitlam. He visited,
inspected and inventoried over 160 signalised intersections
in the city.
Behn was awarded the grand prize of $750 and a threeday package to APEGBC’s 2015 Annual Conference
and Annual General Meeting in Kelowna. A framed print
of the photo was a hot item at the Silent Auction at the
President’s Award Gala, held during the conference.
Have you seen an amazing aspect of engineering or
geoscience at field school, on a co-op work term, capstone
project, or with your student team? We welcome you to
share your photos throughout the year on the APEGBC
Student Program Facebook page.
The Student Photo Contest winning submission,
“Lights, Guideway, Action!” Photograph by Spencer Behn.
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APEGBC Student News/Fall 2016
APEGBC Scholarships Available
The APEG Foundation offers scholarships to
engineering and geoscience students in BC. Four
different scholarships are available this fall:
Sheri Plewes Scholarship for Women in
Engineering
APEG Foundation director, Kathy Tarnai-Lokhorst, P.Eng., FEC, presents the
Achievement Award in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Victoria to recent
graduate Simon Moffat.
The APEG Foundation is pleased to offer the Sheri
Plewes Scholarship, valued at $2,000, to a woman
in full-time undergraduate engineering studies in
an accredited engineering program at a British
Columbian university. Recipients will be selected on
the basis of academic standing, interpersonal skills
and social awareness, and leadership potential as
demonstrated by cooperation and participation with
her peers and involvement in extracurricular or
community activities.
Deadline: October 21, 2016
Frank Baumann Bursary
The APEG Foundation is pleased to offer the Frank Baumann Bursary, valued at $1,500, to a deserving BC student
enrolled in an engineering or geoscience program who is pursuing studies in the area of geohazards. The recipient will be
selected on the basis of academic standing, community involvement, extracurricular activities, and a student statement.
Deadline: October 21, 2016
APEGBC – BC Hydro Fourth Year Scholarship
BC Hydro and APEGBC have united efforts to offer the BC Hydro – APEGBC Fourth Year Engineering and Geoscience
Scholarships. These scholarships, valued at $1,500 each, are offered to fourth year engineering and earth science
students and focus on encouraging students to continue with their goal of becoming professional engineers or
geoscientists.
Deadline: October 28, 2016
APEGBC Student Member Scholarship
The APEGBC Student Member Scholarships recognize undergraduate students whose volunteer, employment or personal
actions over the past year have enhanced the image of the engineering or geoscience professions. The scholarships,
valued at $1,000 each, are awarded on the basis of a combination of factors including a student statement, a reference
letter, and advancement of the professions.
Deadline: October 28, 2016
Learn more about the
APEGBC Student Program
Follow us on Facebook for updates
about events, scholarships and
more!
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facebook.com/APEGBCStudents
APEGBC Student News/Fall 2016
Own your Financial Future
Karen Chan, P.Eng., CPA, CMA
A common question that recent graduates ask is: what is the salary trajectory
of an engineer? APEGBC’s Compensation Survey provides a good indicator,
but it tells only half of the story. We are currently in an economic downturn.
Once graduated, you may not move as quickly through an upwardly mobile
career as generations before you did. This probably means you have a much
smaller tolerance for error in money management.
Financial Literacy is the ability to make responsible financial decisions
at every life stage. Without basic financial literacy, no one can accumulate
personal wealth, regardless of income level. Regardless of economic climate
and your income level, the following tips may help you build wealth during
your time in school and in the workforce. As you apply for co-op jobs and fulltime work, keep the following concepts in mind:
Compound Interest
These days, it is not uncommon for university students to carry a student loan. Based on a 2012 survey from Simon
Fraser University, roughly half of the university students owed an average of $25,000 by the time they graduated. For
the most part, student loans are sound financial strategy as long as you don’t have to pay interest. Unfortunately, many
Canadian students do not realize how difficult paying off an average student loan can be and are unaware of how
compound interest affects an unpaid balance.
Say, for example, the interest rate on your $25,000 government student loan is 7.7% (prime plus 5%). According to the
loan agreement, you don’t have to start repayment until six months after you graduate; however, interest starts accruing
upon graduation. You have up to 9.5 years (114 months) to pay off your loan full, and your minimum monthly repayment
is $310 — this amount sounds so reasonable.
So you decide to do just that. However, with compound interest, interest is calculated not only on the initial principal but
on the accumulated interest of previous periods of the loan as well. Eventually, you will have paid a staggering $10,340
interest on top of your original $25,000 loan. You could easily find yourself burning your hard-earned cash in interest and
getting absolutely nothing in return.
TIPS: Pay off your loans as quickly as you can. Any time you have extra money — even while you are still attending
school — make lump sum payments to pay down the principal of your loan. Once employed, you can revise your
repayment schedule and increase the amount you pay above your minimum monthly payment. This reduces the total
amount of interest you will pay.
Gross Income vs. Net Pay
While many professionals earn a respectable income, you cannot accumulate wealth until you pay off your debts. Gross
income is money you earn through contribution of your time and talent. Net pay is the pay cheque amount you take
home after all the deductions taken off your gross income. By law, your employer must deduct personal income tax and
contributions to employment insurance (EI) and Canada Pension Plan (CPP) directly from your gross income and remit
these amounts to the Canada Revenue Agency on your behalf. If you have opted to participate in a pension plan, a group
insurance plan, or an RRSP savings plan, your employer may also deduct additional amounts from your gross income.
Wealth is the money you retain after income taxes, personal expenses, and debt repayments.
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APEGBC Student News/Fall 2016
TIPS: Once you clear your debt (or avoid it in the first place), start maximizing your saving potential: Build your
personal budget (how much you can afford to spend) based on net pay, not gross income. The 2016 CPP and EI payroll
deductions for full-time employee are 4.95% and 1.88%, respectively, up to maximum limits ($2,544 CPP and $955 EI).
The payroll tax deduction amount will be calculated by your employer based on the information you fill out in TD1 forms.
For an annual taxable income range from $55K to $95K, the combined federal/BC taxes (2016) deducted will range from
16% to 22% of your gross income.
It takes planning, prioritization, and good judgment to manage one’s financial future. No one says it will be easy, but are
these not the leadership skills you strive to develop as young professionals?
Find APEGBC’s most recent Compensation Survey here: apeg.bc.ca/Careers/Compensation-Survey.
After graduating from UBC with an M.A.Sc. in civil/environmental engineering, Karen Chan worked as
engineering consultant for 15 years. Currently, she is a R&D consultant and manager at KPMG, a leading
professional services firm. In her current role, Karen works with entrepreneurs and management executives
in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) companies to identify funding sources and apply
for SR&ED tax credit claims. As Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CMA), Karen supports the Canada
Financial Literacy volunteer program by presenting free sessions to post-secondary students.
APEGBC Student & Industry Night - Platinum Sponsor
Thank you to Babcock Canada for their generous sponsorship of APEGBC’s Student & Industry Night at the
University of Victoria on March 22.
Since 2008, Babcock Canada has been supporting the Royal Canadian Navy’s fleet of Victoria Class submarines
with critical in-service support. For 125 years, Babcock has delivered ultra-reliable engineering excellence supporting
critical assets in transport, energy, defence, telecommunications and education. Our reputation is based on one key
fact: Babcock is trusted to deliver.
We take great pride in the considerable depth and breadth of our people’s expertise and growing local talent through
supporting engineering co-op programs.
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APEGBC Student News/Fall 2016
Distraction Page
Word Jumble
Solve the Word Jumble and you could win a $25 gift card
to Starbucks, Tim Horton’s, Staples, or Amazon.ca. Email
[email protected] by October 28, 2016, with the
solution and your APEGBC Student Member ID. Must be an
APEGBC Student Member to be eligible for the prize draw.
cosloh _ _____
Hitori Puzzle
Shade (or black out) cells so that there are no duplicate
numbers in each row and column. Shaded (eliminated)
cells may not be horizontally or vertically adjacent. The
remaining white cells must form a single component and
not be isolated. (Solution page 8)
Puzzle #1
ppiadle _ ______
dnistryu _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
reacre _ _ _ _ _ _
sermue_ _____
xleproe_ ______
ssgitmanne __________
Answer:_______ _____!
Sudoku Puzzle
To complete the Sudoku puzzle, use the numbers 1 to
9 to fill every cell in the grid. You may only use each
number once in each row, each column, and in each of
the 3x3 boxes. (Solution page 8)
Puzzle #2
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APEGBC Student News/Fall 2016
Student Team Funding
APEGBC offers funding to engineering and earth science
student organizations and teams throughout BC. Students
may apply for funding in both the spring and fall. At least one
member of your team or organization must be an APEGBC
Student Member.
Applications for fall funding are available online now and are
due at 5:00 PM on Friday, October 21, 2016.
Online Competency Experience Reporting System
What is it?
•
APEGBC’s online system for recording, assessing and validating engineering work experience.
Why Use it?
•
Applicants must demonstrate certain skill-sets or competencies to become professional engineers.
•
APEGBC’s Competency Framework has seven competency categories: Technical Competence; Communication;
Project and Financial Management; Team Effectiveness; Professional Accountability; Social, Economic,
Environmental and Sustainability; and Personal Continuing Professional Development.
Who Can Use it?
•
APEGBC Student Members (engineering programs only), Engineers-In-Training and Professional Engineer
applicants are eligible to use the system.
How to Use the Online Competency Experience Reporting System:
Step 1 – Register as an APEGBC Student Member.
Step 2 – Email [email protected] and request access to the system.
Step 3 – Check out the detailed User Guide on APEGBC’s website apeg.bc.ca/competency
Step 4 – Start recording your work and/or co-op experience.
Sudoku puzzle solution:
8
Hitori puzzle solutions:
Puzzle #1
Puzzle #2