“Having end goals in mind made my decisions more intentional, shaping the courses I chose, the skills I focused on, and the opportunities I pursued”
Simon Willcox
Degree: Bachelor of Applied Science
Grad year: 2025
Program: Civil Engineering
Campus: Vancouver
Why did you choose Civil Engineering, and what drew you to risk analysis
I initially chose civil engineering with the intention of specializing in structural engineering and later pursuing a master’s in architecture to design custom homes. Over time, I grew interested in nuclear energy and its potential to provide limitless clean energy. This led me to explore seismic and catastrophic risk analysis as an intersection between civil engineering and nuclear infrastructure, focusing on mitigating nuclear sites’ exposure to extreme events and the risk of structural failures. I also gained an interest in how risk analysis applies to finance and insurance; risk models support underwriting decisions by quantifying exposure and potential losses, especially in sectors like nuclear energy, infrastructure, and construction. In summary, I’m drawn to risk analysis because of its applications across industries and its ability to increase the safety of infrastructure and investments.
What was your overall co-op experience like, and how did it shape you?
Throughout university, I completed two years of internships and co-op work terms with the Kiewit Corporation, a large general contracting company. The company and the people I met there were excellent and gave me a rewarding and varied co-op experience. I would advise new students to explore different companies and find one that aligns with their interests and goals. Kiewit allowed me to explore all my interests—including project management and structural engineering while also exposing me to new opportunities. As a Kiewit intern, I was given the same level of responsibility as a full-time field engineer. This pushed me well outside my comfort zone, but over time, I grew more confident in my abilities and learned to succeed in high-pressure environments. Each co-op experience reinforced the idea that by facing challenges head-on and committing fully to the work, I could rise to any occasion. This mindset and strong work ethic shaped my professional outlook, and I believe it carried through to stronger academics.
How did your UBC experience shape your future goals?
UBC exposed me to new ideas and brilliant people. At the start of university, in addition to architectural and structural design, I was also interested in vaccine development. The general first year of engineering allowed me to explore these different paths through diverse coursework, solidifying my interest in civil engineering. UBC’s strong co-op program made it an easy decision to extend my degree to gain industry experience. The combination of work terms and more specialized third-year courses helped me refine my interests and identify potential career paths. Once I started formulating career interests, I reached out to professors in my program. All of them were happy to share their career paths and the research they had been involved with, helping me evaluate my own career choices. I found the combination of co-op, coursework, exceptional faculty helped me gather a significant number of data points to evaluate career paths of interest.
What advice would you give to new Civil Engineering students?
In short, talk to people. Reaching out to professionals within or even adjacent to your field of interest and conducting informational interviews can expose you to career paths and advice you might never have considered. Engineering is an incredible profession where many people are not only willing but genuinely happy to share their experiences and offer guidance—often because others once did the same for them. Your professors are a particularly valuable resource, as they’re leaders in their field, respected in the industry, and often very well connected. Make use of their office hours to ask about their career journey, current research, or professional advice. Don’t hesitate to speak with your friends’ parents, past coworkers, or anyone else whose career you find interesting. Communicate courteously and with genuine curiosity, and you’ll be surprised how many people are willing to help when you simply take the time to ask. Finally, as you progress through your career, pay it forward and take the time to do the same for those who come after you.
What is the next step and what impact do you hope to make in infrastructure resilience?
To pursue my interest in risk and its applications to nuclear infrastructure, I will be continuing my education at Stanford University, where I will be completing the MS program in Mechanics and Computation. I will be taking further coursework in structural mechanics and risk analysis to improve my understanding of how to enhance the safety of nuclear infrastructure against structural failure and catastrophic events. My goal is to develop predictive tools that assess how components degrade over time and safeguard systems from extreme events such as earthquakes and flooding—helping to quantify risk, reduce potential losses, and support the long-term safety and insurability of nuclear facilities.