Convocation ‘23: Bailey Czuy, BSc, Chemical Engineering Co-op

Bailey Czuy, BSc, Chemical Engineering Co-op

Obstacles do not define you. As long as you are trying your best and prioritizing your mental health, that is what is most important.

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Bailey Czuy had always been good at science and mathematics but it wasn’t until she participated in the Women in Scholarship, Engineering, Science, and Technology (WISEST) program at the University of Alberta that she knew that her interests and abilities could merge and take flight as an engineering student.

As a first year student, Bailey was daunted by the work ahead of her and, at the same time, awed by the accomplishments of the students who were about to graduate. Eager to maximize her education, Bailey entered the co-op program in chemical engineering, which allowed her to gather a myriad of experiences in different workplaces and disciplines, setting her up for success as a young engineer.

This semester, her hard work was recognized with the APEGA Past Presidents' Medal in Chemical Engineering, which is awarded to the graduating student with the highest academic standing in chemical engineering on the basis of the third and fourth year combined.

Congratulations Bailey!

What led you to choose your current area of study, and why the U of A for your studies?

As a child, I always had a keen interest in sciences and mathematics, but I was never quite sure what I wanted to pursue in my future. When I was in Grade 11, I had the opportunity to participate in the Women in Scholarship, Engineering, Science, and Technology (WISEST) program at the University of Alberta. Here I had the chance to network and learn about the different career paths that existed for women in STEM. By participating in this program, I had the opportunity to work in the Faculty of Engineering where I was inspired to pursue engineering after my high school graduation.

During my time at WISEST, I became acquainted with the U of A engineering buildings and developed relationships with fellow students and co-workers, which made returning to the U of A for my undergraduate degree an obvious decision for me.

Tell us about your experience in your program.

At first, entering engineering as a high school student seemed like a daunting, yet exciting journey. My first few months at the U of A were a huge adjustment period: having to juggle a six-course load; develop new friendships; and find my way around campus. As a first-year student, I remember looking at the engineering students who were about to graduate, in awe of their accomplishments and the knowledge they had acquired during their time at the university. It felt like a lifetime away until I would reach that point. I still had so much to learn, experiences to gain and skills to develop. Fast forward to five years later, and I am now that student!

I have really enjoyed my time in engineering at the U of A. I have learned a lot both inside and outside of the classroom. By participating in the co-op program, I had the chance to work at three different companies in different fields, allowing me to gain a variety of experiences and skills. I developed lifelong friendships with classmates at the U of A and I had the chance to be taught by inspiring faculty members. Although my time as an undergraduate student in engineering is now over, I am eager to begin my journey as an engineer.

What is one of your favourite memories from your time at U of A?

I have many great memories during my time at the U of A. My best memories are from my final semester in chemical engineering. During my second year, all of my courses were moved online due to the global pandemic. My final semester was the first time I returned to in-person classes again. After being online for so long, coming back to school in-person was an amazing experience and made me appreciate my final semester even more.

One of my favourite memories from this time was working alongside my team on our capstone project. During our first week back, we were presented with the capstone projects for our semester and had to rank them amongst our team. The capstone projects were then selected in a random lottery style, where we ended up being the second last team to pick. At first, our team felt a little disheartened as we didn’t get any of our top choices for our project, but we were still eager to tackle the problem we were assigned. Over the course of the semester, we put in hundreds of hours on this project and developed great relationships with our academic and industry advisors. I am proud to share that our team won the Ken Sury Memorial Prize in Chemical Engineering Design for our capstone project.

Tell us about your favourite professor and/or class.

I was lucky to have Dave Sharp as my professor for multiple lab courses, including CH E 351, CH E 358, and CH E 454. Dave was the best professor I had throughout my time at the U of A. From the beginning, it was obvious that Dave greatly cared about the success of his students. He did an excellent job at teaching the required material in a way that could be easily understood and interpreted. Dave was always available to assist students if needed and always treated students with respect. When classes went online due to the global pandemic, it was a huge transition for everyone and how courses were taught rapidly changed. However, I found that the lab courses taught online by Dave were still easy to follow and Dave was still always there for his students in an online environment. He encouraged us to participate in class and to ask questions to help solidify our understanding.

Thank you, Dave, you are an inspiration to me and many of my fellow classmates!

What advice do you have for current and future students?

My advice for current and future students is to not let little things bring you down and to always try your best. Entering university can seem very overwhelming at first and it may take a while to navigate a different environment. There will be hardships as you go throughout your degree, such as failing an exam, but it is important to remember that these obstacles do not define you. As long as you are trying your best and prioritizing your mental health, that is what’s most important. Make time for hanging out with friends and family, and staying active, and you will find success will come.

How do you plan on celebrating convocation?

I plan on celebrating convocation with my friends and family. I wouldn’t be where I am today without their love and support. I am thankful to my friends who have been there since the first day I started in engineering and for the friends I have met along the way. I am especially thankful to my family for supporting me throughout my undergraduate degree and for always encouraging me to follow my dreams. I look forward to celebrating graduation with them by my side.

What's next after graduation?

I am excited to begin my engineering journey as an Engineer-In-Training with Suncor Energy after graduation. Here I will have the chance to gain hands-on experience on site and will take what I have learned in the classroom and apply it throughout my career. In a few years, I hope to consider returning to the U of A to obtain a master’s degree to further my engineering knowledge.