Putting people at the core of everything we do is paramount at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. We are committed to ensuring our people — those who make BCIT distinct, are developing while feeling valued, supported, and connected.
BCIT is a people-first organization. We aim to celebrate our employees by sharing their stories through the Our People series. The series features BCIT’s extraordinary employees who share a strong sense of pride and ambition for the Institute and make up our diverse community.
Get to know Shawna Waberi, Program Head, Mineral Exploration and Mining, School of Construction and the Environment, who has been working at BCIT for over eight years.
What do you enjoy the most about working in post-secondary education?
Light bulb moments! I love witnessing moments when the knowledge sticks, and students gain confidence in their learning. The learning journey is different for each student, so witnessing moments of pride, confidence and achievement bring me joy.
What are projects or initiatives that you have completed at the Institute that you are proud of?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, all field activities were cancelled. I had a blast creating a virtual field trip as an interactive tool to support our first-year students. Join the trip here!
What has been your most memorable moment working at BCIT?
Some of my most favourite moments are from our field courses and field trips. Getting outside of the classroom and into the outdoors, where students apply their classroom knowledge in the field and realize just how much fun exploration field work is.
According to the Engineers Canada 2023 Membership Report, only about 19% of newly licensed engineers in Canada identify as women. Please share your experience to us as a woman-identifying engineer in mining.
As a Professional Geologist teaching into a Mining Engineering and Geoscience program, I have witnessed some situations in which being the lone female student in the class can be challenging. There is a sense of community that is key to supporting success of a student, and having a female peer to engage with can be quite important for some. I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by a circle of supportive women and men in both engineering and geology, throughout my career. I see this in the classroom as well – making me optimistic for what is ahead for the next generation of women in geoscience and engineering.
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What advice do you have for prospective students who identify as women who want to start a career in STEM?
Although this advice is for all students, I think that it’s even more important for female students to consider, as the self-imposed pressure to succeed can be high. It’s okay to not know what you want to do when you are 18, 28 or 38. Explore opportunities, try something new to find your passion. All the external motivation in the world is not enough to carry you through a difficult course or school term. Wanting to pursue a career path, because it’s what interests you that matters the most.
What do you enjoy doing outside of BCIT?
Travel! My geology and dinosaur-loving family love to travel and explore, near and far. I’m always scouting for potential field trip locations.
BCIT offers a large variety of awards and bursaries for students. In further supporting women in engineering, generous donors have contributed to create two new Entrance Awards for women in engineering programs at BCIT. For more information on all awards and bursaries available to students, please visit BCIT Entrance Awards.