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Rachel Ellis, BSc in Computer Engineering, Software Option Co-op

Engineering a path to community impact

Recalling her early love of math, computer science and physics, Rachel Ellis made the decision to let go of her dream of being a doctor to follow a more authentic calling. Once she entered university, however, she realized that studying computer engineering was not just an academic pursuit, it was a catalyst for championing STEM careers and initiatives aimed at building stronger, more inclusive communities.

Even with a demanding schedule of classes, she sought opportunities to make a difference, especially as a volunteer (in a variety of positions) with the , the fem+ Mentorship Program and the (CompE), to name just a few of her pivotal roles. As VP external for CompE, she created the first tech-focused career fair on campus, bringing together nine companies and over 1,000 participants. 

As a co-op student, Rachel had internships at and , which gave her the opportunity to put her degree to work in industry, deepening her love of computer science and giving her valuable insight into how she could make meaningful contributions to society using her skills as a software engineer.   

Rachel admits it was a challenging schedule that often left her feeling depleted, but she learned to prioritize time for her friendships and social connections which significantly eased the burden. 

“Having friends to rant to, study together with, review resumes, attend or organize events like hackathons and hang out made everything more manageable,” she says. 

Following graduation, Rachel is returning to Vancouver to, in her words, kickstart her career as a software engineer at Asana, where she had previously interned. 

Congratulations Rachel!

What program are you graduating from?

Bachelor of Science in .

What led you to choose your current area of study, and why the U of A for your studies?

Interestingly, until the beginning of grade 11, I had never considered studying engineering. For most of my childhood, I dreamed of becoming a doctor, but as I progressed through school it became apparent that I was much better at math, computer science and physics. In high school, I nurtured these strengths by participating in activities like science olympics and computer science competitions where I could apply what I learned in class to hands-on, practical problems. 

These experiences made me realize how much I enjoyed expanding on what was taught and using logic to find a different (more logical or quicker) way to reach a solution. In this way, engineering offered a path to channel my curiosity, my love for problem-solving and my desire to have a meaningful impact. From there, software engineering was a natural choice, as I enjoyed computer science in high school. 

I chose the U of A because I am local to Edmonton and because of its strong reputation in engineering and computer science, specifically AI. With student clubs and opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals to solve real-world problems, the U of A felt like a place where I could grow not only as a student but as someone striving to make a difference.

What is one of your favourite memories from your time at the U of A?

It’s hard to pick just one favourite memory; I’ve had many great moments over the years! One of my favourite memories has to be from my first year — meeting other engineering students for the first time and trying to do those crazy math assignments together. Trauma bonding is real, and honestly, some of the closest friendships of my degree started in those help sessions at the Engineering Student Success Centre or during professor office hours. 

I also loved hanging out with friends between classes: grabbing coffee; venting about assignments; or spontaneously joining random club events (often for the free food). Attending hackathons and working towards a common goal through extracurriculars was always very rewarding. 

Finally, my co-op internships at and were a big part of my experience. It was incredibly fun and fulfilling to apply what I’d learned in class to real problems and work with people who were just as excited about tech as I was.

Tell us about your favourite professor and/or class.

It's hard to choose, but I'd probably say my favourite class was , a course on information retrieval. While it was challenging, I found it incredibly rewarding. It was fascinating to learn about the algorithms and strategies that power search engines like Google — something we all use daily without realizing how complex it is behind the scenes.

What made this course special was that it allowed me to apply data structures and algorithms to a real-world problem that impacts millions of people. It struck a perfect balance between theory and hands-on assignments, which deepened my appreciation for computer science and how complex concepts are applied to meaningful problems.

Honourable mentions go to (Game AI) with and (Search and Planning in AI) with . Both were fantastic AI courses taught by amazing professors.

Did you take on any leadership roles while you were a student?

Since my first year of university, I have prioritized getting involved in ways that help build a stronger, more inclusive community — within and beyond engineering.

One of the most rewarding experiences was with the , where I taught piano to two girls who otherwise would not have had access to music lessons. I learned that to be an effective teacher, you have to genuinely listen to your students before expecting them to listen to you. This experience inspired me to take on more responsibility within the program. I served as the financial director for two years and eventually became the program director, managing all general operations and organizing the first in-person and silent auction fundraiser in three years (post-COVID-19). The funds we raised were essential to keep the program running, and being able to give back through something I have loved since the age of six was incredibly meaningful.

Because engineering was not the career path I had initially envisioned, I have been personally motivated to challenge the stereotypes of who belongs in this field. As a tour guide for Open House, I shared my story with prospective students and their families. I also organized engineering workshops with , where we presented science and engineering in engaging ways to high school students, targeting those who might not see themselves reflected in the field. Through my role as a mentor with the fem+ Mentorship Program, I had the opportunity to support students from underrepresented backgrounds in pursuing STEM. 

Creating spaces where diverse perspectives are celebrated and ensuring everyone has access to the resources they need to succeed is incredibly important to me. These efforts (along with others mentioned in this response) were recognized through scholarships like the Government of ß÷ßäÉçÇø’s and the for my work toward advancing gender equality and serving the community in general.

I was also very involved with the . As the VP external, I co-organized the first-ever tech-focused career fair on campus, which brought together nine companies and over 1,000 participants, including students from MacEwan and NAIT. I personally reviewed over 40 student resumes to help others stand out as strong internship candidates and shared my internship experiences via coffee chats. Later, as the VP internal, I spearheaded professional development and equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives, including events like a minorities in tech panel and a resume tips and tricks session with experienced tech recruiters. In collaboration with Engineering Career Connections, I helped develop tech-specific resume and interview resources, recognizing that computer engineering recruiting differs from general engineering standards. These resources will continue to help future students land their dream roles and avoid learning the differences the hard way. I also served as a co-op program ambassador, helping to facilitate events and mentor peers. 

Honourable mentions include being the admin co-lead of the (ARVP), VP events of the , mentoring for , and volunteering as a co-op program ambassador for the Faculty of Engineering. Across all these roles, I have strived to solve meaningful problems — whether by improving access to resources, creating opportunities to bridge the gap between industry and school, or supporting others to succeed through mentorship and leading by example. These experiences have been both humbling and empowering, reinforcing why I chose this career in the first place.

Did you face any significant obstacles or challenges during your program?

Everyone has probably heard how stressful engineering can be; unfortunately, the rumours are true. Taking up to seven courses at a time while trying to stay involved in the community, maintain a social life, search for internships, possibly work part-time and still live a healthy lifestyle is borderline impossible. The degree often felt like a never-ending game of min-maxing — where I had to constantly decide which area of my life to prioritize and which could be sacrificed temporarily without causing too much harm.

On top of that, the competitiveness of the field made me struggle with imposter syndrome, especially when applying for internships or comparing myself to others during my co-op work terms. Through these challenges, I learned how important it is to set realistic goals, connect with like-minded individuals, stay organized to minimize procrastination, not compare myself to others (figure out what success means to me) and seek help when needed. Having friends to rant to, study together with, review resumes, attend or organize events like hackathons and hang out made everything more manageable.

While tough, these challenges played a monumental role in my growth and became powerful motivators behind many of my accomplishments. I’ve been fortunate to achieve milestones like maintaining a strong GPA, securing multiple amazing internships and giving back to the community.

What advice do you have for current and future students?

I am pretty conflicted about whether I am in a position to give any advice to current or future students, but I suppose that is my point. I think it is easy to get caught up in seeking advice and trusting others with major academic or career decisions without asking if that advice applies to you. Everyone has their unique path, and what worked — or did not work — for someone else will not necessarily lead to the same outcome for you.

That said, one should learn from people who have been in your shoes or are in the position you hope to be in one day. Just make sure to take the time to reflect on what you want, not what you think you are supposed to want. Life is not a straight journey, and I believe the best way to approach it is to treat every experience, even the tough ones, as opportunities to learn and grow. Failure isn’t the opposite of success — it’s part of the process. Never give up and stay curious!

How do you plan on celebrating convocation?

With friends and family! It’s been six long years since I extended my degree, so I am looking forward to celebrating this milestone. My grandpa is flying in from Europe to watch me graduate, which means a lot. After my convocation, we will go to Phoenix for a week; the Grand Canyon will be the highlight of that trip. 

Later in the summer, I plan to travel to Amsterdam and Germany to do some sightseeing and visit friends there. While in ß÷ßäÉçÇø, I hope to revisit local gems like Calgary, Drumheller, or Banff/Canmore. That way, it will be a perfect mix of exploring new things and reconnecting with things I already know.

What's next after graduation?

After graduation, I will move to Vancouver to kickstart my career as a software engineer at Asana. I interned with them last summer and cannot wait to return to a city and company I love. With more free time on my hands, I will be hiking very frequently.

At some point, I might pursue a master’s degree in UX design to explore this interest further, but for now, I am excited to dive into this next chapter.