Winning a Global Undergraduate Award and how it impacted my career

My name is Bailey Thompson and I studied electrical engineering at Western University in Ontario, Canada. I also completed a certificate in engineering leadership and innovation to explore my interest in business and leadership.  

Throughout my academic career, I was an active member of many clubs, notably Western’s Women in Engineering student club and a variety of intramural sports.  

During my undergraduate degree I submitted a group research project for the Global Undergraduate Awards. Our project was an exploration of an efficient charging system for hyperloop applications. We won and were flown to Dublin to participate in their annual conference. Attending this conference was a once in a lifetime chance to connect with people from a variety of different geographic and academic backgrounds. 

The award presented to our team was a great confidence boost at the start of our careers. I was so proud of my team for all the work we put into our design project, so being recognised in this way was validating as young engineering graduates joining the field.  

It also gave us access to a community of other bright minds that we got to meet and learn from at the conference. It was an incredible opportunity and I am extremely grateful we were able to take part.  

In every conversation I had, I was surrounded by people from different parts of the world, and we all got to share our experiences with each other. It was amazing to get a glimpse into each person’s life and form some amazing connections. 

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Since receiving the Global Undergraduate Award, I have been working at an engineering consultancy company called Hatch Ltd in Montreal, Canada. In my role as a controls and automation engineer in training, I am working on a potash mine project in central Canada (potash is a potassium-based compound used in fertiliser).  

In this role, I am responsible for details related to the automation systems for the conveyors, ventilation, and communication network. For example, I have designed documents and drawings containing specifications for equipment and cable connections in the underground mine. It is also an important part of my role to coordinate with people from other engineering disciplines, such as mechanical or electrical, to make sure our designs are cohesive. 

I enjoy engineering because it allows me to use my scientific background and combine it with creativity to solve problems. Engineering is needed in all industries to develop solutions and optimise processes, so being in this field allows each person to find something that they are really passionate about.

I have a lot of ideas for my future, but the most important thing to me is that I always stay open to new opportunities that come my way. I have seen the benefit of stepping out of my comfort zone.

My experiences have also accelerated my learning by immersing me in new cultures and ways of thinking, so I’m excited to see how my future adventures will continue to shape me. The one thing I know for sure is that one day I want to grow into a leadership role and make a positive impact in whatever project I am working on.