Applied research at Mohawk College leading to jobs of the future

Job opportunities are available in nine campus labs in a variety of disciplines

This edition of Momentum magazine explores the opportunities for students in applied research, which is a differentiator for Mohawk College.

The workforce of the future will have to adapt, creatively solve problems and pivot into new fields that don’t exist today. Mohawk College students have the opportunity to broaden their skills – both technical and soft – with applied research positions in nine cutting-edge labs across the campus that provide real-world experience through the Campus Student Employment Program (CSEP).

The Sensor Systems and Internet of Things (IoT) Lab led by Canada Research Chair, Esteve Hassan specializes in smart sensor systems development and integration into a range of industrial settings.

Many of its students have gone on to employment with industry partners.

Safiyyah Figaro, who just graduated from Mohawk’s Mechanical Engineering Technology program, worked in her final semester as a mechanical design assistant in the IoT lab. She designed printed circuit boards for a project with smart sensor developer Motsai.

She comes to engineering through an unconventional path: a BA in fine arts with a specialization in sculpture from McMaster University. There is a strong connection between the disciplines, she says.

“Engineers are just as creative as traditional artists. It’s just the medium that changes.”

Through her work in the lab, Figaro discovered she wants to pursue a career in research.

“Being in the lab was such a valuable experience. Being a mechanical design assistant in an educational setting allows for freedom to experiment with how best to come to a solution. There are lots of resources to explore and a free and limitless approach.”

Business Analytics student Kaushal Patel has been working in the IoT lab as a mechatronics assistant about 15 hours a week. He is working on a project with steelmaker ArcelorMittal Dofasco.

“It brings many different skills together, including working with detailed engineering drawings and preparing 3D models, pulling together images, graphics and videos in reports for stakeholders and what I am learning in data analytics.”

He came to Mohawk armed with a bachelors and master’s degrees in engineering, and a post-graduate diploma in project management from his native India. He also has four years of experience as a team leader in a multinational engineering company.

“Applied research helps direct your studies to the jobs of the future.”