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Tell us about yourself.
I am a graduate of 91��ܽ’s Mechatronic Systems Engineering and Beedie School of Business Double Degree program, with a passion for software engineering and customer-focused product development. I chose this unique program to combine my interests in business and engineering. I discovered my true passion for software engineering during my 1 year-long co-op term as a Controls Engineer at Tesla.

What was your most memorable moment from your time at SFU?
My most memorable moment was winning “Best Overall Project” at my capstone trade show. After countless hours of development, my team and I delivered a fully functional automated electrochromic window glass testing device that met all stakeholder requirements, testing up to 12 window devices without a need for human interference. The sponsoring company has since implemented the tester, saving over 200 person-hours per month.

How has your experience at SFU prepared you for your career path?
I learned that asking questions is the most powerful way to learn and solve problems. I once feared asking questions at risk of seeming inexperienced, but I realized that asking questions combined with hard work led to faster growth and problem solving. This philosophy has been key to both securing and succeeding in my various internships.

If you could give one piece of advice to incoming students, what would it be?
Get out of your comfort zone! Get involved and try new things. It is the only way to learn about who you are, what interests you, what you want your future to look like and what success looks like for you.

What are your future plans?
I am excited to be pursuing a career in Software Engineering, Embedded Software Engineering, or Firmware Engineering in the Vancouver area on an R&D or product development team. I look forward to the opportunities and experiences the future holds.

Tell us about yourself.
Hi! My name is Boris Perdija and I have recently graduated with a BASc in Computer Engineering and a Certificate in Computing Science from SFU. I actually started my academic career in behavioural neuroscience, then briefly tried business, before finding my place in engineering. Thankfully, this was one of the best decisions I have made. My academic and leadership experiences opened doors to internships at Dell Technologies and the Canadian Space Agency, and I am excited to see where my journey takes me next!

What was your most memorable moment from your time at SFU?
I am cursing at the word limit here because there are so many things that I can talk about. I loved every moment of my time at the Engineering Science Student Society (ESSS) and am grateful to have served as the president of the society. My exchange at the National University of Singapore was unforgettable, and I still talk and travel with the people I have met there. I also value many of the internships that I have done and all the little side quests I have partaken in, like running for the Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS) or trying out different courses throughout SFU in my early semesters. In the end, though I hated it at the moment, I also really enjoyed struggling through some of ENSC’s hardest courses with people I still call my friends today.

How has your experience at SFU prepared you for your career path?
SFU provides an ample amount of engineering and computing science courses and opportunities that, if you look out for and take seriously, will certainly teach you how to be an effective engineer. For me, the capstone course was a vital opportunity that taught me both technical management and hands on experience, which I eventually applied to real-world settings (like my time at the Canadian Space Agency). 

If you could give one piece of advice to incoming students, what would it be? 
Easy; do EVERYTHING (within reason). Take a year to be on the ESSS, if for nothing more than to make connections, which will be invaluable for your degree. Join a design team and learn concepts, topics and hands-on experiences that classes will not teach you (i.e.: rocketry or team phantom are fantastic for this and will be brought up in interviews). Do an exchange – it is an incredible experience, can go towards your degree requirements and it is very easy to get scholarships and grants, as many people do not apply for them!

What are your future plans?
I am currently seeking full-time employment, though the Canadian Space Agency has offered me the chance to continue with them in January if I pursue a master’s. As a result, I have applied to and received admission from McGill and Concordia for their MEng programs in Electrical/Computer Engineering, and I will head back there if the opportunity is there!

Tell us about yourself.
When I started learning about the challenges of environmental sustainability, it honestly gave me a lot of anxiety. The more I learned, the more pessimistic I felt about the future. I chose a career in sustainability as I wanted to work towards a future that feels more hopeful and exciting. I explored environmental science but realized I wanted more math and physics. That is when I found the SEE program, where its multidisciplinary engineering approach appealed to me.

What was your most memorable moment from your time at SFU?
My most memorable moment was placing second in the consulting category at the 2024 Canadian Engineering Competition, with my amazing teammates Erin Flood, Amanda Luu and Jasleen Sandhu. In just eight hours, we developed a proposal to address drought concerns in Calgary by balancing technical, financial, social and environmental factors. It was one of the most stressful yet rewarding experiences of my life, and it showed me that pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is totally worth it!

How has your experience at SFU prepared you for your career path?
Through the SEE program, I completed several industry co-ops, including an exciting role as Controls Engineer intern at General Fusion. These experiences gave me insight into the differences between engineering in industry and academia, while strengthening my technical, teamwork and communication skills. I also grew a lot— developing more assertiveness, self-confidence and a stronger awareness of how I can contribute to a team.

If you could give one piece of advice to incoming students, what would it be?
Do not be afraid to get involved with clubs, design teams, competitions, or student council. It is easy to tunnel vision on good grades, but these extra-curricular experiences make your time at SFU richer and more rewarding. Even if imposter syndrome makes you doubt yourself, give it a shot! You may surprise yourself with what you’re capable of.

What are your future plans?
I plan to take a break to travel, including a two- to three-week road trip through Banff and Jasper this fall! Afterwards, I will be pursuing a controls or electrical engineering role and begin working towards obtaining my Professional Engineer license.

Tell us about yourself.
I chose this field because I was always drawn to how limitless the possibilities are, whether it is the type of work you can do or the industries you can be a part of. Computer science is fast-paced and constantly changing, I love that it pushes me to keep growing, learning and challenging myself in new ways.

What was your most memorable moment from your time at SFU?
My most memorable experience was with the Women in Computing Science Club, where I helped build a welcoming community. I held executive roles as an Events Coordinator, Treasurer and then President for two years. I organized outreach events such as Try/Catch, which inspired high school students to develop interests in technology, and Networking Night, which connected students with mentors from industry and academia. Most importantly, I found a supportive community, lifelong friends and meaningful ways to mentor other students.

How has your experience at SFU prepared you for your career path?
Through the co-op program, I gained two years of real-world experience and learned what I enjoyed (and didn’t) in different roles. I also got the chance to attend the Grace Hopper Celebration with the School of Computing Science and visit Silicon Valley with the Computing Science Student Society (CSSS). These experiences broadened my perspectives on the paths in tech that left me feeling motivated and inspired.

If you could give one piece of advice to incoming students, what would it be?
Talk to people and say yes to opportunities! Getting involved through clubs, events, or social media can help you feel connected and supported. Do not be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and try new things, even if you make mistakes along the way. At the same time, take care of yourself. Make time for breaks, lean on your support system and find balance.

What are your future plans?
I will be starting as a full-time Software Engineer at TELUS where I will work on innovative technologies including next-generation wireless networks, cloud computing, cybersecurity and smart communities. I am excited to grow in this role, explore new opportunities and continue staying involved in initiatives that inspire and support others in tech.