Need Advice: Civil Engineering Degree Pathways After College Diploma (Ontario)

Hi everyone,

I could really use some advice from people who’ve been in the same boat.

I graduated from a Canadian college with an advanced diploma in civil engineering, and now I’m looking at options to finish my bachelor’s. I’m based in Toronto and currently living with my parents, which definitely helps financially.

Here are the pathways I’m considering: 1. Lakehead University (Thunder Bay) or Queen’s University (Kingston): • These are more traditional civil engineering degrees that would make me eligible for a P.Eng in Ontario. • The big downside is that both are pretty far. I’d have to move out, pay rent, groceries, etc. I’ve heard the workload is intense, and it might be tough to find part-time work to support myself in Thunder Bay or Kingston. 2. McMaster University BTech in Civil Engineering Infrastructure Technology: • This is closer to Toronto, and I could probably commute or stay closer to my current life. • I recently started working with a general contractor here, and things are going really well, so I’m hesitant to leave. • The catch is this program doesn’t make you eligible for a P.Eng in Ontario, unless I go on to do a master’s or maybe apply in another province.

I feel really torn. On one hand, I don’t want to limit my future career options if I can’t eventually get my P.Eng. On the other, I’m not sure it makes sense to uproot everything, move far away, and put myself in a worse financial spot when I already have a good thing going with work.

If anyone has been through something similar: • How important has your P.Eng been to your career? • Is it realistic to build a solid career in civil or construction without it if I stay on the contracting side? • For anyone who did the McMaster BTech, how has it worked out in terms of job opportunities?

Any insights or experiences would really help me figure out what to do next. Thanks so much!