ESEC 2026 logo in dark teal

Welcome to the 2026 Engineering Science Education Conference (ESEC)!

Our goal is to broaden students' horizons about potential career paths and how engineers can have an impact in the world.  Since 2006, we have invited thought leaders to present lectures that explore research, education and career opportunities for bright upcoming engineers.

ESEC is run by EngSci students for EngSci students.

Years 1 & 2 EngSci students, please note: 
Your classes will be cancelled on Friday, Jan 23, to allow you to attend the conference.

ESEC Prep Workshop
Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026
9:45 am - 10:45 am, in person
Open to Years 1 & 2 EngSci students. 
Registration required!

Fireside Chats
Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026
6 pm - 7:30 pm, in person
All EngSci students welcome!
Registration required!

Conference and Lunch & Learn sessions
Friday, Jan. 23, 2026
9 am - 4 pm, Bahen Centre
(Attendance required for Years 1 & 2 EngSci students)

Get Prepared!

Join us for the ESEC 2026 Prep Workshop!

Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 | 9:45 am - 10:45 am | In Person

Join this professional development workshop to build your skills.  You'll leave feeling more confident, present, and prepared for meaningful engagement in a professional setting like the ESEC experience.

Open to Years 1 & 2 EngSci students. 

ESEC 2020 Fireside Chats
ESEC 2020 Fireside Chats

Sign up for the Fireside Chats!

Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026 | 6:10 pm - 7:30 pm | In Person

Join us for unstructured and open conversations about any career- or life-related questions you may have.  EngSci alumni volunteers will facilitate the chats.

Open to all EngSci students from Year 1 to 4!

 

Read our ESEC Preparation Guide and more!

Visit our How to Prepare page for info on:

  • The ESEC dress code and other important professionalism info
  • Tips on preparing a list of useful questions
  • ESEC Prep Workshop
  • Fireside Chats

Then read up on the speakers to learn about their areas of expertise and career paths.  Now's your chance to explore areas that you might not have thought about before, and to learn directly from people in diverse fields how they made choices along their career path.

Finally, check out the event schedule and register for events.

Speakers

We are delighted to welcome eight outstanding professionals and academics to ESEC 2026 representing a diverse set of career paths and engineering disciplines.

Students will hear about their career journeys, areas of expertise, and where they see their field going, and will gain experience-based advice on navigating challenges.

Eric Choi

(EngSci 9T5, UTIAS MASc 9T7)

Vice-President of Business Development, Mission Control Space Services

Sepehr Ebadi

(EngSci 1T7)

Photonics Engineer, Apple

Alan Mackworth

(EngSci 6T6)

Professor Emeritus in Computer Science, UBC

Serena Mandla

(EngSci 1T7, BME MASc 1T9)

Chief Scientific Officer & Co-Founder, Noa Therapeutics

Alvin Mok

(EngSci 0T3)

Head of Data and Analytics, Select Equity Group

John Nestor

(EngSci 8T9, ECE MASc 9T0, PHD 9T4)

Strategic Technology and Engineering Executive

Joyce Poon

(EngSci 0T2)

Professor, ECE, U of T
Former Head of Photonics Architecture, Lightmatter

Christine Tovee

(EngSci 9T2)

Space and Technology Executive

See what previous students said about ESEC

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© Engineering Science Education Conference 2026

Last updated on Jan. 9, 2026 by ESEC's Web Team