Dominique W.

What made you choose U of T Engineering?

I chose the University of Toronto and my Civil Engineering program because it was clear to me that I could only become the best I can be by going to the top university in Canada. By being able to access the challenges within the program, and networking opportunities from it was how I going to grow the most. 

How would you describe U of T Engineering to someone?

I would tell people U of T Engineering is challenging and pushes you, but it is also incredibly rewarding. The program helps you develop not only technical skills but also resilience, and confidence that make the effort worthwhile. 

How different was first year from what you expected academically?  

My first year completely changed how I approached academics. As an engineering student, I had to shift how I studied and managed my time to keep up with the workload. The biggest shift was learning to study efficiently by focusing in lectures, connecting concepts to real scenarios, and actively using office hours and TAs for support. That strategy helped me find my footing and balance academics with university life. 

Have you tailored your degree to fit your interests or future goals? 

I have tailored my degree to gain experience and explore opportunities beyond the classroom. I completed my Engineering Business certificate and am finishing my Sustainability Energy minor. Business interested me because of its role in engineering decisions and cost estimates, while sustainability reflects the future of our cities and communities. These experiences have strengthened my goal of becoming an engineer who helps advance cities. 

If you could go back and talk to yourself before first year, what’s one thing you’d say?  

I would say, “There will be challenges and moments of uncertainty, but trust the process, you are where you need to be. Keep pushing and learning.”