SLC Civil Engineering Technology Graduate Bridges to Degree at Queen’s

Written by SLC Communications

In honour of National Engineering Month, we’re shining a light on SLC programs in the engineering sphere whose graduates are highly skilled technicians in high-demand fields. These include Instrumentation and Control Engineering; Electrical Engineering Technician; Energy Systems Engineering Technician; and Civil Engineering Technology.   
  
As a special feature, we’re highlighting one SLC’s engineering articulation pathways that provides a route for graduates of Civil Engineering Technology to complete their Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering at Queen’s University. According to Daniel Liao, Dean of Applied Science, approximately five SLC students pursue this option annually, which gives them both the technical hands-on skills with their diploma, and the theoretical knowledge to complete their professional engineering training. 
 
This bridging initiative, announced in 2023, was the first of its kind in southern Ontario. It allows students to begin additional studies in their final year at SLC, taking summer courses to “bridge” them into full-time studies as engineering students at Queen’s. Students will then graduate with the accredited engineering degree required for a P.Eng. designation.  
  
We spoke to Kurt May, who graduated from SLC’s Civil Engineering program, and began his bridging program in the summer of 2024 and is on his way to becoming a professional engineer, and who shared, “My college background is a massive asset...”  
  
What led you to pursue the Smith Engineering Bridge pathway after completing your Engineering Technology diploma?   
  
My journey to Queen’s began before I even started at SLC when I learned about the potential for a university transfer before beginning my college program. I always had the goal of becoming an engineer during high school.   
  
That plan was solidified when I worked a part-time job with an SLC Civil student who was exploring the Queen’s pathway before it was formalized. During my second-year summer, I worked alongside a student who had already made the transfer and was entering his final year at Queen’s. He answered my many questions and eased my concerns about the transition. Ultimately, the creation of the Smith Engineering Bridge agreement, combined with me being from Kingston and its engineering traditions, made Queen’s the obvious choice for me.  
  
What was the biggest adjustment moving from your diploma program at SLC to third-year civil engineering at Queen's University?  
  
The biggest adjustment was the intensity and depth of the workload at Queen’s. You quickly learn that time management and prioritization are the key to success.   
   
How did the bridge program help you integrate with your new classmates who had been in the degree program from the start?  

The integration was quite smooth. Having a strong technical design background meant I could contribute immediately to group projects. College students bring a practical perspective that the degree students really value during third and fourth-year design projects.  
  
Now that you're working toward your Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering, what are your career goals as a future professional engineer?   

My goal is to join a consulting firm where I can apply my mix of practical and theoretical knowledge towards getting my P.Eng. license.   
  
How do you think your college background prepared you for engineering studies?  

My college background is a massive asset; having hands-on experience with surveying and software like AutoCAD/Civil3D gives me a unique perspective that is uncommon in a traditional university setting. I don't just see the design on the screen; I understand how it gets built on-site.  
  
What advice would you give Civil Engineering Technology graduates considering this route?  
  
If you have an interest in becoming a professional engineer, take the leap. It’s a difficult program, but hard work pays off. My biggest piece of advice is to build a support system, convince a classmate to bridge with you, or make friends early. Engineering at Queen’s is a team sport. Also, if you’re able to, do it while you're young and already in study mode. The momentum helps.  
  
Click here for information on articulations and credit transfer options at SLC.