Khalid Backtash
Posted on 21 November 2016
Kathleen McAllister
2016 Undergraduate Scholarship
Graduate of Western University, specializing in Chemical Engineering
Growing up in a family of engineers, Kathleen gradually realized engineering was the profession where she belonged too, “My family was always doing different problem solving things around the house,” she recalls. “And my parents encouraged me to enter various engineering competitions. What drew me to engineering was its hands-on approach and problem solving aspect.”
As a recent graduate of Western, Kathleen acknowledges the difference the Foundation’s scholarship made to her motivation in completing a rigorous program: “The workload for the past two years has been heavy. It does take time and effort to organize yourself so I was really happy that I was recognized for the effort that had gone into all the work that I was doing.” Kathleen was involved in many extracurricular programs including the Engineering Society and Chemical Engineering Club.
Kathleen says the award has also helped her create professional connections. She says, “It gave me the chance to get networking with people from PEO and the engineering profession in general”. At the awards ceremony, she met many people. “It’s been a good push to start getting involved in the engineering community as I start my career.”
Kathleen is currently working for GE Power in their water and process technologies group, which requires traveling across North America to set up new water plants. Kathleen enjoys the opportunity to combine process, mechanical, and electrical engineering as well as a great deal of problem solving. She is most excited about combining her engineering background with other areas of interest such as health sciences, environmental issues, and business.