Meet Anjaly. She is a proud graduate first of our Construction Project Management (CPM) program and then the Civil Engineering Technician program in 2023. Her determination, plus supports from Sault College shaped her inspiring journey and professional achievements. She now works for one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms.
Before moving to Canada, Anjaly originated from India, but spent the last several years in Australia with a background in architecture and design. Over the pandemic she reconsidered her career and felt motivated toward engineering - ultimately bringing her to Sault College. She was attracted to the College because she wanted to experience life outside of larger Canadian cities.
The CPM program provided her with a solid foundation, building on her previous experiences and transferring them toward construction in the Canadian context. The small class size fostered a close-knit community where instructors genuinely cared about students' well-being and Anjaly was supported in adjusting to her new life in Canada. This sense of community made her feel welcome.
Support and Mentorship
Throughout her time at Sault College, Anjaly received tremendous support from both her programs' faculty. The instructors had extensive industry experience and provided invaluable insights and practical knowledge. They were always available for guidance and support, helping students navigate both academic and personal challenges. Her and fellow students found an academic mentor in the program coordinator and professor Marc Pilon.
The Civil Engineering Technician program included a co-op placement which was key to gaining hands-on experience in the workplace. Anjaly and her classmates were each supported in securing a co-op and all graduates of her class went on to full-time careers in the industry.
College Involvement
During her time at Sault College, Anjaly immersed herself in various extracurricular activities. She was part of the Diwali Planning Committee in 2022 and volunteered with the Bridge Building Competition in 2022 and 2023, an annual event organized by Sault College in collaboration with the PEO and OACETT. Additionally, she participated in the Trades Day of Caring initiative organized by the United Way in 2022.
Anjaly also had the opportunity to work part-time in a student role in the Registrar's Office and was a peer tutor for the Civil Engineering Technician program - and still peer tutors from time to time to support the program and its current students.
These opportunities strengthened her leadership skills and provided her with opportunities to network and build relationships with peers and professionals in the industry and the College community.
Professional Achievements
Today, Anjaly works as an Associate Design Technician at WSP out of Thunder Bay, where the projects her team is responsible for concentrate on energy, resources, and industrial sectors. Her role combines office and field work and she has gained considerable experience in surveying, engineering design, and structural design calculations. She enjoys the dynamic nature of her job, which includes travel, meeting new people, and finds it rewarding when she sees projects come together from start to finish.
Working at WSP has been an eye-opener for Anjaly, teaching her how the field and office aspects of her job inform each other. It’s fascinating to be part of the engineering work that is shaping Canada. She is thankful for the professional mentorship she receives from Michelle Murphy, the Senior Structural Engineer on her team, and Prof. Pilon who also is on her team at WSP.
For the Future Student
If you are not quite sure if civil engineering is you you, Anjaly feels that colleges are the perfect gateway to help make that decision. While the technical nature of the subjects can be intimidating, the program builds on basic math skills and emphasizes logical patterns in engineering. Once the patterns make sense - you can't unsee them. That is the beauty of engineering - it rules out the guess work.
Anjaly’s journey is a testament to the power of education, mentorship, and support.