Push yourself to be immersed into the content, no matter what you study or what you are interested in, the smallest person can make a big difference for our future!

How would you describe your knowledge of the concept of sustainability before this course?
I didn’t particularly know what is was other than we all should reduce, reuse, recycle and that we want resources to last a long time. I didn’t know there was a social aspect to it. I was interested in the idea of sustainability in terms of the human race but it’s also much more than that.

What was your favourite topic taught in class; what lessons will you take with you?
The case studies in corporate sustainability issues. I liked being forced to look into what actual companies are doing to be sustainable. It gave me an insight into my future as to how I would prevent green washing and how I am going to promote sustainability in my future.

If you could give any advice to a student interested in taking or enrolled in preparation for SUSTAIN 1S03, what would you say?
You should be excited!!! Push yourself to be immersed in the content. I believe every engineer should take this course because it is along the lines of what our future looks like. No matter what you study or what you are interested in, the smallest person can make a big difference for our future!

Be open-minded and excited to learn about the content. You are coming into a space that may be completely new and challenge your beliefs and assumptions.

How would you describe your knowledge of the concept of sustainability before this course?
I had part knowledge, mostly from my volunteer work in high school. However, it was more environmental, only after learning of the Minor (in Sustainability) did I learn that it was more in-depth than I previously thought. It was interesting to learn that there is a huge social aspect of sustainability.

What was your favourite topic taught in class; what lessons will you take with you?
In our class it is discussed that the definition of sustainability is making sure we keep our resources available for future generations. The three sectors – Government, NGO, and private – and why they are important is a lesson that has stuck with me. You have to understand how to work in these three sectors because they all work in a different way. I also learned a lot about environmental assessments, regulations, and standards. Things I never even thought to think of.

If you could give any advice to a student interested in taking or enrolled in preparation for SUSTAIN 1S03, what would you say?
Be open minded and excited to learn about the content. You are coming into a space that may be completely new and challenge your belief or your assumptions. Keep in mind that this is an introduction course so you may be more interested in some topics than others.
When you choose your three experiences, go out of your way to really experience them. Choose experiences that you think might be meaningful to you and open your eyes to new ideas.
Take the reflection piece seriously, take the time to make that experience meaningful.
Don’t be afraid of the presentation – see it as a healthy challenge. Who knows, you may really enjoy it!

It's a course that students, regardless of their faculty, should take because much of your grade is heavily based on experential learning activities. You choose when you do it then you reflect on it!