The career pathways that stem from an engineering education are truly limitless. While your degree offers you a bounty of choice and flexibility, having so many potential pathways may seem daunting.
For this reason, U of T Engineering has created several programs for you to explore potential careers in different ways before graduation. These programs offer you the perfect opportunity to get a better feel for pathways of interest in a safe and supportive learning environment.
ISTEP works behind the scenes to support career-development initiatives for U of T Engineering students. No matter what your professional future holds, we believe these programming opportunities will enhance your ability to align your strengths and interests with a successful career after graduation.
Jump to:
Undergraduate Programming | Graduate Programming | Additional Opportunities
"The OPTIONS Program provided me with a how-to guide on exploring next steps. I am more confident in reaching out to individuals in different positions to learn about their career paths. I left the program with a better understanding and ability to market my skills and strengths gained throughout my education." — (IBBME PhD candidate)
Programming for Engineering Undergraduates
Professional Experience Year Co-op Program (PEY Co-op)
PEY Co-op provides the ideal balance of industry exposure and professional development. It can help you build a strong portfolio of meaningful experience, career confidence and professional connections you’ll draw on after graduation. The program has a career education component as well as a work component. During the work component, you’ll immerse yourself as a full-time employee for 12 to 16 months after third year, with the option to complete a summer work term after second year.
Alumni Mentorship Program
This program fosters valuable relationships between U of T Engineering alumni and students (both undergrad and graduate level). As a mentee, you’ll benefit from the knowledge and experience of caring alumni mentors, who are looking to help others chart a path for professional success.
U of T Engineering CONNECT
Through this online networking platform, you can access U of T Engineering’s exclusive global network of alumni. Tap into these connections for general career advice, alumni perspectives on specific industries, and mentorship. Many alumni also post job leads here. Visit or join CONNECT today — it's free to register and only open to members of the U of T Engineering community.
Programming for Engineering Graduate Students
OPTIONS Program
Open to all engineering graduate students and post-doctoral fellows, this program is designed to help you explore diverse career options. You’ll develop a personalized career plan and establish critical skills and contacts. You can also attend a range of complementary networking and career-oriented events.
Graduate Peer and Career Supports (Grad PACS)
Grad PACS is a unique initiative designed to help you in your career-planning process. It is facilitated by a dynamic team of engineering graduate students who have been trained in using career-management tools and resources. As a participant in this program, you can develop an actionable career-exploration plan while gaining a new appreciation for the value of your transferable skills.
Prospective Professors in Training (PPIT)
Is a career in academia in your future? This program prepares PhD students (who have completed their first year) for the rigours of being a professor. Here you’ll learn about curriculum development and teaching within the context of engineering education. You’ll also gain insight into how to apply for — and excel in — an academic position.
MEng Multidisciplinary Project
Offered through the Institute for Multidisciplinary Design & Innovation, this course provides MEng students the opportunity to work with industry partners on a real-world technical challenge. In addressing practical projects within an industry context, you'll gain unique insight into the challenges companies face and the role of multidisciplinary engineering solutions in the workplace.
Alumni Mentorship Program
This program fosters valuable relationships between U of T Engineering alumni and students (both undergrad and graduate level). As a mentee, you’ll benefit from the knowledge and experience of caring alumni mentors, who are looking to help others chart a path for professional success.
Graduate Engineering Networking Series
Throughout the year, the Graduate Engineering Council of Students (GECoS) and the office of the Vice-Dean Graduate Studies organizes a series of themed networking events for engineering graduate students. These events offer the opportunity to get an insider’s perspective from alumni working in a particular field. Past events have focused on careers in sustainability, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing.
Graduate Engineering Career Fair
Organized by the office of the Vice-Dean Graduate Studies, this annual career fair is a unique opportunity to meet employers who are recruiting current U of T Engineering master’s students (MASc, MEng, MEngCEM, MHSc), doctoral students, and post-doctoral fellows, as well as alumni to fill a wide range of roles including: full-time opportunities, part-time opportunities, internships, research internships and summer positions. The event is typically held in May.
U of T Engineering CONNECT
Through this online networking platform, you can access U of T Engineering’s exclusive global network of alumni. Tap into these connections for general career advice, alumni perspectives on specific industries and mentorship. Many alumni also post job leads here. Visit or join CONNECT today — it's free to register and only open to members of the U of T Engineering community.
Additional Opportunities for Professional Development
U of T School of Graduate Studies
The School of Graduate Studies offers a wide range of professionally oriented opportunities that complement your work as a master’s or doctoral student. Some of these include:
- Graduate Professional Skills Program (GPS): Access 100+ free and optional professional development courses, workshops and seminars on topics ranging from time management and communication to working in teams.
- Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition: Can you present your research in three minutes or less? Take the challenge for an opportunity to compete locally, provincially and nationally. Open to all U of T grad students who are doing a major research project.
- SGS Summer Institute: An intensive spring and summer program with three streams of skills-building workshops: leadership, managing transitions and designing your life.
You're Next Career Network
YNCN is a multidisciplinary team of 40 student volunteers across U of T Engineering who organize career development opportunities for students. One of the biggest events of the year is the Fall Career Fair, which is organized in collaboration with the Engineering Career Centre.
Graduate Engineering Council of Students
GECoS is a forum for representatives of all engineering graduate student associations at U of T to collaborate on a variety of initiatives, including professional events. Check out upcoming events and opportunities on the GECoS site.
Student Clubs and Teams
Students lead several professional or industry-oriented groups and associations across U of T. Joining such groups can offer a wonderful way to meet like-minded students, participate in competitions and learn from professionals working in the field. In some cases, student chapters of professional associations offer discounts on membership and conference fees to groups and events of interest. Here are some U of T Engineering professional development and industry-oriented student groups:
- Canadian Association of Food Engineers
- Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering – U of T Student Chapter
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers – U of T Chapter
- National Society of Black Engineers – U of T Student Chapter
- Society of Petroleum Engineers – U of T Student Chapter
- U of T Consulting Association
- U of T Industry Insights
- U of T Ontario Water Works Association – Student Chapter
- Women in Science and Engineering – U of T Chapter
Involvement in student club opportunities often counts toward the Co-curricular Record (CCR). For more information on how to get involved, visit the Engineering Society website or ULife online.