The CECA U of T student chapter is a constantly shifting organization. Across our six years, we’ve had over 100 active general members and worked with tens of different organizations and contractors, across multiple competitions and events. We’ve all had a lot of time to reflect on our past as we sit inside all day, and we thought it would be a good idea to check up on where those previous members have gone.
We asked them two questions:
- What was your favourite memory from your time in CECA U of T?
- What’s a key takeaway or message you want to share with the current students?
Dmitri Naoumov
| Current Position | Structural Engineer at WSP Group |
| Last Position in CECA | 2016 Project Manager |
Favourite Memory from CECA U of T
I really enjoyed the opportunity to fly out to Honduras. U of T partnered with Penn State University to do a solar installation for a rural community.
Key Takeaway
Find your passions early. Everyone can get decent grades – but not everyone has a passion. It doesn’t have to be engineering related either – just find something that you really enjoy!
Matheos Tsiaras
| Current Position | Transportation Engineer at Parsons |
| Last Position in CECA | 2015 Project Manager, 2016 Communications Coordinator |
Favourite Memory from CECA U of T
One of the highlights of every year being a part of CECA is attending the NECA Conventions. I was lucky to be able to attend three conventions, 2014 in Chicago, 2015 in San Francisco, and 2016 in Boston, and it seemed like every year it got bigger and better. But I think the most memorable moment from my time in CECA was seeing our project with Good Shepherd Ministries come to fruition. Even though we didn’t place in the top 3 of the Green Energy Challenge that year, seeing our design actually get implemented, and seeing the joy and gratitude on everyone’s faces when we visited after construction was completed in 2017, sure felt like a win to me; it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my entire university career. Getting published in the Toronto Star was pretty cool too 😉
Key Takeaway
My advice to students would be to take advantage of all the extra-curricular activities at UofT, even if you don’t think it will be directly relevant to your career path. They will allow you to not only take a break from your homework, but you’ll end up meeting so many amazing people and creating so many amazing memories; you may be able to hone in on a particular hobby or passion you have, or you may find a new one. I’m a prime example of this when it comes to CECA; I’m not working in anything remotely related to building science or sustainable energy, but the experience I gained with CECA, among the other extra-curriculars I was a part of throughout university, was incredibly rewarding, and forms my most fond memories of my time at UofT.
Greg Peniuk
| Current Position | Planner at the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) |
| Last Position in CECA | 2016 President |
Favourite Memory from CECA U of T
My first energy audit for GEC was at Good Shepherd Ministries. After some very generous donations from the contractors’ associations, the lighting retrofit was actually implemented. It was amazing to go back there and see how much everything had changed.
Key Takeaway
Something CECA helped me learn: know your audience. In any kind of communication, be aware of your audience’s preconceptions, background knowledge, and priorities.
Ernesto Diaz Lozano Patiño
| Current Position | WSP Canada |
| Last Position in CECA | 2016 Secretary |
Favourite Memory from CECA U of T
The first NECA conference was amazing. I saw the potential for the club there, seeing the awesome stuff other groups were doing. Every conference afterwards was fantastic as well.
The Mexico City trip (January 2019, for the Student Passport 2017 competition) was wonderful. So rewarding to see our work pay off.
Key Takeaway
CECA is a place to explore opportunities. There are plenty ways the club can grow to help people achieve their goals and advance their career options.
Syed Imam
| Current Position | Associate Transportation Engineer at Parsons Canada (With Matheos Tsiaras) |
| Last Position in CECA | 2018 Treasurer |
Favourite Memory from CECA U of T
The time spent during the submission for the Green Energy Challenge was one of my favorites – seeing the entire team collaboratively sitting together at the same time working towards the submission was packed with strong displays of collaboration, teamwork, adrenaline, and learning.
Key Takeaway
Set high personal standards for yourself and explore something new that you traditionally would avoid, whether it be through a club, a course, or an event, even if you are determined to pursue a specific direction for your degree. You’ll be surprised as to how many options there are for you, what you can learn, and who you’ll meet when you decide to try something new.
Nataliya Pekar
| Current Position | Alta Planning + Design |
| Last Position in CECA | Solar Team Lead |
Favourite Memory from CECA U of T
Evaluating the roof of the Waterfront Neighborhood Center was an awesome experience! We’ve got pictures on the roof during the energy audit. Of course, the conference was incredibly fun! A great memory was presenting as a team, feeling very proud and also relieved to have it done, and then getting to go to a big party at the Pop Culture Museum. All of the fantastic seafood in Seattle was also a big plus.
Key Takeaway
Pursue what you like to do and what ultimately makes you feel good at the end of the day, whatever that may be. No amount of prestige or money will make up for the compromises along the way. That’s what I tell myself anyway, I’m not nearly old and wise enough to be living proof quite yet!
