Elsa Younes

Elsa's involvement in student groups provided valuable skills beyond the classroom and fostered lasting friendships.

Fun fact: I can recite the QWERTY keyboard from memory.

Favourite thing about Concordia: Student groups! 

What has been your best university experience?

Without a doubt, my best university experience was being involved in student groups. Over my four and a half years at Concordia, I was part of the Engineering & Computer Science Association (ECA) for three years, served as a GCS Councillor in the Concordia Student Union, and joined six different student clubs. These experiences truly shaped my university journey. They taught me valuable skills beyond the classroom and brought me friendships I’ll always cherish. I highly recommend getting involved — there’s a club for everyone, so check them out!

What does campus life look like for you?

I had over an hour commute to get to campus, but I used that time to rest or do some last-minute revision on the metro or bus. During the week, I’d often stop by the B-Annex, our engineering student lounge at 2160 Bishop Street, either to attempt studying or to play foosball while waiting for Friday’s “Lizard Lounge”. Every Friday, an ECA Member Association (aka “Society”) hosts a themed party or board game night, usually at Reggie’s, McKibbins or the B-Annex lounge. It was a fun way to unwind and connect with other students.

How have you gained experience outside of the classroom?

I completed three summer internships during my studies in the HVAC field. I worked for a subcontractor, a distributor and a manufacturer to get a well-rounded view of the industry. Currently, I work full-time in Sales Engineering at Ingenia Technologies Inc., where I also did my third internship. Being able to apply what I learned in the classroom to real-world situations made everything click; it really helped the concepts make more sense.

Do you have any advice for new students?

In your first year, focus on your core classes. They form the foundation for later courses that build on them. Attend Frosh before your first semester, especially the Department Orientation. You’ll learn all the survival tips from current upper-year BCEE students and alumni in the field. Use all the resources available to you. Starting university can feel overwhelming, but there are tons of services to help you navigate through it. Whether it’s using the free Udemy subscription, booking study rooms in the library or scheduling a resume review with Concordia’s Career Advising and Professional Success (CAPS), make sure to take advantage of them.

What was it like studying in English?

I went to a French education school, so I studied in French until the year before entering Concordia. At first, it took some time to get used to technical terms in English, but the transition was smooth overall. Engineering is numbers-based, so that really helps with the language transition. I made many francophone friends at Concordia and sometimes spoke more French than English! Students are even allowed to submit assignments in French.

Want to see more student life? Discover the student groups available to Gina Cody students!