As people evolve, so do their needs. In a society like ours, which is becoming progressively more complacent with our lifestyles, there is constant room for improvement and discovery. While greatly improving our standard of living, these improvements encourage the lazy lifestyle we lead. Constant improvement over the past decades has resulted in better drugs, faster computers, more efficient engines, etc. This is possible only through constant innovation and improvement (a.k.a. research). Research is the basis for all advancements made. Without research, there wouldn’t be fire or agriculture.
Doing research expands your horizons. As a primarily research-oriented university, the University of Waterloo is the best place to experience cutting edge, trend-setting research. A little-known fact is that one student’s research is responsible for changing the shape of the internet and ushering in what was deemed “Web 2.0.” Rasmus Lerdorf was a proud student of Waterloo Engineering’s System Design program. His brainchild and research is responsible for the inception of the ubiquitous online scripting language, PHP, which is used for social networking sites like Facebook. With the onset of modern technology research under the Institute of Quantum Computing (IQC) and Waterloo Institute of Nanotechnology (WIN) there is a lot of scope for research today to make a better tomorrow.
You should get involved! One great way to do so is through the “Undergraduate Research Assistantship” program offered. You can take part in this process and proudly say “I do stuff that’s never been done before, everyday.” As a participant in this program, I would highly recommend this, because it supplements your everyday textbook knowledge with application in cutting edge technology and research. Many professors offer URA positions every term. A commitment of just six hours weekly ensures that as a professional, you will be up to date with the latest trends. Employers have been known to favour students with such experience as it exhibits initiative and a desire to learn. Also, there is monetary compensation for your effort (which is always nifty).
Another way to get involved is to do co-op terms with a professor. This gives an in-depth perspective on the way research and development works and how to be on top of the game. Often, undergraduate researchers are funded (in part) by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada through the Undergraduate Student Research Awards and other awards (including some through the Sandford Flemming Foundation). Professors sometimes prefer hard-working co-op students to graduate students due to their tendency to work harder and their desire to accomplish something before the end of the four-month period. Although the salary may not be comparable to an industry job, research co-op terms improve employability and odds of acceptance to the finest institutions for graduate studies. Finally, publications obtained while on such a term also enhance your credibility.
Involvement in research activities as an undergraduate is a definite step to towards making yourself a very employable and informed professional engineer when you graduate. Take action now to advance your credibility by getting involved in undergraduate research.
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