Engineering Conversations

Send us a textDo you like to tinker around in workshops and fix things?  Or maybe you like to design and build new items?  Have you ever thought about what might be involved in large scale manufacturing of commercial products?  Engineers around the world help companies figure out how to design and manufacture their products in affordable, efficient, and safe processes.In this episode we sit down with Glenna Stewart to talk about her career as an Industrial Systems Engineer.  Glenna is the Chief Operating Officer at Degelman Industries.  In that role, she oversees the production side of the business, which designs and manufactures a variety of agricultural equipment specific to farming operations.  In this conversation we learn from Glenna what it takes to be a manufacturing engineer and what is involved in selling agricultural products in a global market.  Glenna also offers some advice to aspiring engineers on what they can do to be successful in their career.

Send us a textDo you heat your home with natural gas in the winter time?  Do you have a natural gas stove, barbeque, or water heater?  How does the natural gas get to your house?  A team of engineers has worked behind the scenes to ensure that you have a safe and reliable supply of natural gas.In this episode, we sit down with Zeshan Hyder to talk about natural gas pipelines.  Zeshan is the Manager of Pipeline Engineering at SaskEnergy here in Saskatchewan.  In this conversation we learn about his background in Petroleum Systems Engineering and the work he does leading a team of engineers to design safe, reliable high pressure natural gas pipelines.  Zeshan also highlights the importance of extra-curricular activities for students considering a path in engineering.

Send us a textHave you ever noticed the large air ducts in buildings, or wondered how the climate inside the building was controlled over the summer and winter months?  Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) engineers are the people who ensure that the environment inside a building is safe for the occupants.In this episode, we sit down with Jared Larson to talk about his experience as an HVAC engineering consultant.  Jared is a mechanical engineer and senior partner at MacPherson Engineering.  In this conversation we learn about the many considerations that go into designing HVAC systems for buildings.  Jared also talks about his experience volunteering with ASHRAE, and how volunteering can play a critical role in career development.

Send us a textThe world of consulting engineering is a diverse field of practice that challenges engineers to come up with unique solutions for their clients.  As a result, there are all kinds of consulting engineers working to solve problems that help make our lives better.In this episode, we sit down with Brett Kelln to talk about his experience as an Electronics Systems engineering consultant.  Brett is a Principal and Senior engineer at Ritenburg and Associates Ltd., and has worked on numerous engineering projects throughout his career.  In this conversation, we learn about an important project he did for the health sector, and an interesting project for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.  Plus we learn about Brett’s experience teaching a university course and the advice he offers anyone thinking about studying engineering.

Send us a textProfessors often help to inspire and encourage students as they find their way to a successful and rewarding career path.  In this episode, we sit down with Professor Emeritus Art Opseth to discuss his journey in engineering and his amazing career at the University of Regina, which spanned more than 30 years.  Professor Opseth taught thousands of students and was one of the leaders that helped build and grow the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Regina.  In this conversation, he talks about the history of the faculty, how it survived a potential closure, and what students can do to be successful in engineering.

Send us a textHave you ever noticed that we are surrounded by software?  It’s in our phones, our cars, our appliances, and more!  The opportunity for Software Systems engineering to make positive impacts on our lives is limitless.In this episode, we sit down with Nikki Pelchat to talk about her experience as a Software Systems engineer.  Nikki is currently the co-Chief Technology Officer and Principal Software Engineer at Lumeca Health, a company that provides health technology solutions for medical providers across Canada.  In this conversation, she talks about her early career at Gas Buddy and her current work at Lumeca to help develop software that provides meaningful impacts in the health care sector.

Send us a textDo you ever wonder about the infrastructure and services in your community?  How did the roads, sewer, landfill, and water services get there?  Engineers are responsible for setting up communities that are functional and safe for the people who live there.In this episode we sit down with Ryan Johnson, an Environmental Systems engineer with close to thirty years of experience.  Ryan is the Chief Executive Officer of the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation.  In this conversation he talks about his career and his extensive experience in water treatment.

Send us a textEngineers often find themselves in leadership positions as their career progresses. Managing large projects and groups of people can be very challenging and requires skills that are not fully developed during university studies.In this episode we sit down with Tara Paton, an Industrial Systems engineer and the President and founder of Red Blaze Solutions. Tara spent 20 years working in the energy sector for oil and gas companies. That vast experience eventually led her to start her own company that helps managers become better leaders. Tara shares some interesting perspectives and advice on what engineers can do to become better leaders.

Send us a textDo you like industrial projects?  Are you interested in manufacturing and processing modern resources?  Do you want to help companies improve their efficiencies, quality control, reliability, economics, and sustainability?In this episode we sit down with Rob Jones to learn about Industrial Systems Engineering.  Rob has been teaching laboratories at the University of Regina in our Industrial Systems engineering program for over 37 years!  In our conversation he explains how laboratories help enhance the learning that takes place in the classroom.  Rob also gives some examples of the industries and careers that Industrial Systems engineers work in after they graduate.

Send us a textDo you ever notice street lights or the exterior lighting on buildings?  Have you ever wondered who put them there, or how they get their power supply?  Engineers design these systems!  In fact, there is even an Illuminating Engineering Society to help support engineers in this field of practice.In this episode we sit down with Ariele Chow to discuss her career as an Electronic Systems engineer.  Ariele has over a decade of experience in consulting, where she has primarily designed lighting and power systems for civic and commercial projects.  In this conversation she talks about her career, the Illuminating Engineering Society, and some of the projects she has completed.