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Did you know that roughly 30% of the world’s potash is produced in Saskatchewan? That is significant! Potash companies need large teams of operators, technicians, geoscientists, and engineers to have successful potash mines that are safe, economical, and environmentally viable.

In this episode we sit down with Caitlin Knaus to talk about her career in the potash industry. Caitlin has a background in Environmental Systems engineering and is currently a cavern engineer for K+S Potash Canada. In this conversation, she talks about her career path in the potash industry, solution mining, and what a cavern engineer does to help produce potash. She also offers great advice to young people who are thinking about studying engineering.

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Going to university to study engineering is not easy. Many students report seeing a drop in grades, difficult courses, and a high work load with labs and lectures. In many ways, students have to learn time management skills, develop good study habits, and ask for help when they need it.

In this episode we sit down with Holden Rogers to talk about his experience in engineering. Holden just finished his second year of our Energy Systems engineering program and he is about to go out on his very first Co-op work term! In this conversation he talks about the ups and downs he has experience during his studies, and he offers great advice to young people who are thinking about studying engineering.

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It is hard to believe that Engineering Conversations is already celebrating its first anniversary! To recognize the occasion, I thought it would be fun to do a “behind the scenes” episode. Justin Gwilliam is back on the show with a list of questions that dive into this podcasting journey.

Thank you to all of the guests who have been on Engineering Conversations this past year. Without guests, there is no show! Hopefully, with each episode we are helping people learn about the world of engineering!

Also, thank you to the listeners! I hope you are enjoying the episodes and discovering lots of interesting things about engineering!

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Structural engineers are involved in the design and construction of buildings, bridges, tunnels, dams, and other infrastructure that we find throughout the world. People often do not think about whether a building or bridge is safe when we use it, but structural engineers have worked hard to design and build safe projects that get used on a daily basis by the general public.

In this episode we sit down with Mohsen Rassem to learn about structural engineering. Mohsen is the senior structural engineer and Department Manager at KGS Group. His career spans over forty years, and he specializes in the structural engineering of buildings. In this conversation we hear about how he got into engineering and we learn about some of the large projects he has worked on. In addition to talking about his career, Mohsen also shares some advice for young people that might be interested in a career in engineering.

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Environmental engineers play an important role in helping communities and industry function in sustainable and responsible frameworks that protect the public and the environment. First Nations communities in Canada have many engineering challenges that need to be addressed with both sound engineering and cultural considerations.

In this episode we sit down with Darlynn Lavallee to learn about her career as an Environmental Systems engineer at Piapot Nation. In her role, Darlynn is responsible for environmental and major capital projects at Piapot Nation, including land use, planning, zoning, and water use. Darlynn is in a unique role in that she is both a member of Piapot Nation and an engineer! In this conversation we hear about how she got into engineering and how she found a path to help provide engineering services within her own First Nation community. In addition to talking about her career, Darlynn also shares some advice for young people that might be interested in a career in engineering.

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Have you ever thought about where all of the metals we use come from? Mines around the world help produce all of the metals that we rely on for use in our infrastructure and day-to-day devices.

In this episode we sit down with Jared Orynik to talk about his career as a metallurgist. Jared has a background in materials engineering from the University of Alberta, and he has over 20 years of experience working in several mining sectors. Jared is currently a Senior Project Metallurgist working at NexGen Energy, helping to develop their Rook I uranium project. In addition to discussing the progression of his career, Jared also shares some advice for people thinking about a career in engineering.

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To celebrate Pi Day, I invited a bunch of engineers to my office to eat some pie and talk about random “engineery” things!

A big thank you to Tom Atkins, Kim Korchinski, and Bailey Armstrong for coming to chat about about engineering, childhood toys, sitcoms, sci-fi, energy, water, food, what makes a great engineer, and more! Also, I extend a HUGE thank you to my mom for making us the delicious pie!

Happy Pi Day!

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Did you know that engineers and geoscientists have to be licensed to practice in Canada? Licensure helps provide greater protection to the public and environment as members have to be competent, accountable for their work, and adhere to a code of ethics.

In this episode we sit down with Chris Wimmer and Kate MacLachlan from the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS). Chris is a professional engineer and is currently the Director of Professional Standards, and Kate is a professional geoscientist and is the Director of Registration and Deputy Registrar. In this conversation we will explore the importance of self-regulation, the application process, licensure, and member requirements. If you have ever wondered how to become a professional engineer or geoscientist, then this conversation is full of helpful information!