PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE
Published in PLAN,
Novembre 2011, page 32
By Serge Beaulieu, Eng.
THE ONLINE GUIDE FOR FUTURE ENGINEERS
Answers to all your questions!
ho has never wondered about the road
never travelled? It is completely normal for
engineering students and junior engineers
to ask themselves a million questions about
the conditions they must fulfill in order to obtain their
engineer’s permit… questions which are now answered
thanks to the Guide for Future Engineers!
W
Studying engineering is choosing a profession that is
out of the ordinary, captivating and filled with challenges.
It also means opting for a path that is longer than the typical bachelor’s degree because once the student graduates, he or she must successfully complete the internship
period and fulfill its conditions.
Until last spring, engineering students, graduates and
junior engineers could find information relating to this
period, but in order to do so, they had to comb through
various separate and often dry documents. That’s history!
Since the launch of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec’s
new website this past May, future engineers can access
an online guide intended for them and designed according
to their reading habits.
A DYNAMIC AND SIMPLE ONLINE TOOL
Wanting to offer better assistance and guidance to students and junior engineers, the Ordre decided to renew
the information they need. In collaboration with an outside firm, the team mandated to carry out this work
redesigned the content, style and presentation of the
information, and reorganized everything under one easy
to remember address:
www.guidedufuturingenieur.oiq.qc.ca.
With its modern and youthful presentation, the Guide
proposes a dynamic style, using short and precise sentences which inform the reader in a clear and direct manner. Browsing the document is quick and enjoyable,
providing the reader with a comprehensive yet uncluttered
index that is easy to read. Quite an achievement!
The Guide is divided in eight sections dealing with as many
themes:
1. Obtaining an engineering permit… how does that work?
Why is it important to hold an engineering permit? What
are the steps required to obtaining one?
2. During my bachelor’s studies, how can I prepare myself
for what is to come?
Is it important to work in engineering during my studies?
Why should I become a member of the student section?
3. Being a junior engineer… what does that mean?
How does one show his or her ability in the field? What
is the supervisor’s role?
An effective tool which can be
accessed at all times by those who
wish to become engineers.
4. Looking for an engineering job?
What steps should one take in order to maximize one’s
chances to secure employment as a junior engineer?
Practical tips relating to job searches and selection
interviews.
5. Junior engineers looking for good advice
When is the best time to pass one’s professional
exam? How to find one’s sponsor?
6. Am I ready to become an engineer?
How to assess one’s internship?
7. Finally, the internship is completed!
What steps must one follow in order to ensure that
one’s professional experience is recognized? Which
forms must be completed before one can obtain an
engineering permit?
The eighth section entitled “Engineer’s role and responsibilities relating to immediate direction and supervision” is
intended for engineers called upon to guide junior engineers
and act as supervisors. Still, its content applies to future engineers because it spells out the importance of the role engineers play with respect to them, as well as the role junior
engineers themselves might play once they become engineers as regards new professionals.
Finally, the Guide includes a section for frequently
asked questions (FAQ) which covers those queries the
Ordre most often receives from students and junior engineers. These questions mainly deal with such issues as
working while going to school, internship in an employment context, the sponsorship programme, the professional
exam and obtaining one’s engineering permit. Again, the
texts are concise yet informative, and provide hyperlinks
to complementary articles.
With the Guide for future engineers, the Ordre offers an
effective tool which can be accessed at all times by those
who wish to become engineers. This tool should address
all your concerns throughout your interactions with the
Ordre. Should you still have questions that need to be
answered, kindly contact the Admissions and permits department (nouveauxmembres@oiq.qc.ca). Happy reading!
The Guide for future engineers is available only in French.