The Faculty of Engineering at Dalhousie University has six departments and undergraduate students have the option to choose from seven disciplines. A very intense and difficult program, engineering students take six courses per semester, many of which involve tutorials, labs, and additional projects. The course load tends to result in long days of classes followed by studying and the completion of projects and assignments outside of course hours.
During the 2020-21 academic year, a record 198 varsity student-athletes earned U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian honours by achieving a minimum GPA of 3.50 while participating in a varsity sport. Twelve of them – eight men and four women – are engineering students. Meet two of those women – Kaitlyn Woodworth and Lauren Williams.
Related reading: Record-breaking 198 Tigers earn U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian honours
Looking to the future
A two-time Academic All-Canadian, women’s soccer player and track and field team member Kaitlyn Woodworth is in her third year of a major in chemical engineering. Growing up, math and problem solving was always something she enjoyed which eventually led the Bridgewater, N.S. native to Dalhousie.
“I ended up really liking chemistry and physics in high school and was encouraged to look into engineering programs by my teachers and family,” she says. “I liked the fact that engineering was able to combine the math and science concepts I was interested in, while also providing a wide variety of options for career paths in the future.”
Being a student in engineering is difficult – adding soccer, track and field and extracurricular activities to the mix makes it even more difficult. The Dean’s List student and Sexton Scholar says some of her biggest challenges are time management and finding balance.
“Being organized and disciplined are necessary to stay on top of my academics,” says Woodworth. “Given the weekly time demands of athletics and academics, it can be difficult to find life-balance while wanting to achieve in both areas.”
And achieve she has.
Dr. Wendy Gentleman, associate professor in engineering mathematics and internetworking has had a front row seat watching Woodworth successfully navigate through those demands.
“I met Kaitlyn in my first fully remote class in the summer of 2020,” says Dr. Gentleman. “She was one of a number of students who stood out in that class. So much so, I asked her to become a teaching assistant that fall.”
Impressed with her performance, Dr. Gentleman invited her back again last term while Woodworth was on a co-op and in her season with the women’s soccer team.
“Engineering is an intense and demanding program that requires superior organizational skills in order to succeed,” adds Dr. Gentleman. “Kaitlyn has always been upfront and communicative when she needed some flexibility to meet all of the demands of academics and athletics.”
Before the onset of COVID-19, Academic All-Canadians had the option to invite a mentor professor to an annual luncheon as a way of saying thanks to professors and staff for helping them achieve their goals. Woodworth selected Dr. Gentleman.
“I really enjoy her teaching style,” says Woodworth. “She has offered support and guidance that has been beneficial to my academic experience.”
“I’m honoured to be chosen, especially from a student in such a large class,” says Dr. Gentleman. “It’s heartwarming to know you’ve made an impact in a student’s academic career.”
Women’s swimmer Lauren Williams enrolled in the Faculty of Engineering through a similar path to Woodworth.
“I loved math and science, they were my favourite courses,” says the Halifax, N.S. native. “When I chose higher level math, physics and chemistry classes in high school, people told me that it would be too hard to do while swimming competitively, but that only added fuel to my fire!”
Williams knew engineering would be demanding and realized very quickly how different it was than some other programs.
“I compared my class schedule to a friend’s who was in a general arts program,” says Williams. “My six courses had 35 hours of class time, while her five courses had 12.”
Much like Woodworth, Williams identifies time-management and balance as some of her biggest challenges, and references a few more.
“I train almost every morning at 6:00 a.m. as afternoon practice times interfere with my class schedule. I often struggle with making sure I get enough sleep and proper nourishment,” adds Williams. “Because I’m up at 5:00 a.m. for practice and on campus most days until 10:00 p.m., I have to ensure I pack enough nourishing food for a whole day, which is sometimes a struggle.”
Despite those challenges, Williams is thriving in her fourth year of a major in mechanical engineering. She is a six-time Sexton Scholar and won first place at the 2021 Atlantic Engineering Competition. She is also the recipient of six scholarships including the CD Howe and Howard Ripley renewable entrance scholarships.
Building a future for others
Williams has also managed to find some time in her incredibly busy schedule to advocate for engineering students by serving as vice president, student affairs of the Dalhousie Undergraduate Engineering Society and volunteers as a tutor through Frontier College. She also volunteered with GoEngGirl in 2020, an annual non-profit outreach program that encourages local students to pursue careers in engineering through empowerment and motivation.
“It’s a really cool and rewarding program,” says Williams. “I hope to be able to continue to be a part of it.”
Traditionally a male-dominated field, Williams has a passion for advancing women in the field of engineering and other STEM disciplines.
“When my aunt studied engineering in university, approximately 15% of the students were female. Now 25 years later, only 20% of my mechanical engineering class is female. I want to see this number increase greatly over the next couple of years.”