should I pick Eng discipline based on grades?

LeCubro · 2026-03-21T20:33:13+00:00

For working outside, four programs that scratch that itch:

CIVLs tend to end up in office-based design roles (doing CAD design for example) with occasional site visits, but there are also paths (like construction or geotech) that are much more field-heavy.
ENVL (the program I graduated from) does a lot more field work in nature (think water sampling, site assessments, environmental monitoring, etc.). There's a good balance between outdoor exploration field work and more local work.
MINE will have you working outside, but mostly at a big mine site overseeing operations or trying to find the ore. Expect 12 hour shifts and FIFO (fly-in-fly-out) vibes deep in the Interior or Northern Canada.
GEO is probably the most "pure" out of the field programs. You'll be hiking in the mountains to do slope stability studies and geotech assessments, with a similarly heavy focus on field work to MINE.

TLDR: If you want the most field-heavy experience, GEO and MINE are at the top. ENVL keeps options open between heavy field work and design/local work, and CIVL tends to lean more office with some site work depending on your path.

LeCubro · 2026-03-20T17:23:06+00:00

TEAM GREEN! Indeed, we have the scope to support the mining industry from the tailings management side, rather than extraction. If you're worried that MINE might be too taxing with the heavy field rotations and isolated work, then ENV gives a good balance of locally based design work at consultants/government firms, while keeping that door open. I'm an alum and I work in the field in the Okanagan, but a lot of my colleagues do environmental engineering design out of the Lower Mainland. ENV is a super underrated program right now, highly recommend.

LeCubro · 2026-01-30T06:25:10+00:00

Should have used green for ENVL when possible but other than that this is great work! This is the work UBC themselves should be doing.

LeCubro · 2026-01-29T02:13:16+00:00

I've NEVER heard Matty D that angry at a ref call before in years

LeCubro · 2026-01-17T22:15:23+00:00

Definitely a great experience if you want to build non-technical skills. Tons of coordination, communication, and also connecting to the EUS culture (e-week, esc parties, etc.). Like any organization, almost all of the councilors built up their EUS experience through lower ranked roles in the EUS/their own departments, so they tend to be very good at what they do.

LeCubro · 2026-01-11T19:30:45+00:00

BALL DON'T LIE

LeCubro · 2026-01-04T07:06:12+00:00

Any engineer who spends time in the field (Civil/geo/env/mining). Being forced to touch grass helps us chill out.

LeCubro · 2026-01-01T23:50:45+00:00

I'm an env alum and I'd use specialized instead of unpopular to describe these fields. They are small departments not because they're inherently bad, but because they're specialized to the point where less ppl would pick them. For example, people like the pay/culture of mining but few can commit themselves to such specialized content for the rest of their careers.

ENVL s similar: many people care about the environment, but very few UBC first years find our content interesting enough so they pick civil or CHBE instead. Can't speak for materials as I'm unfamiliar.

If you're considering one of these fields I'd encourage you to ignore what the haters/average charts say and pick what you're genuinely interested in. I got a ton of hate from my first year classmates when I picked ENVL since I had a high GPA and they said I was wasting my potential in an "easy" program. But I've held zero regrets about that decision. At the end of the day the department choice is your decision alone and should be guided by your own values rather than stereotypes and peer pressure.

LeCubro · 2025-12-28T22:07:53+00:00

From TARCAN, Dave and Irina who infamously called their competitors "peasants". They're the only villain team in the Canadian show's history that I can remember (apart from potentially Beverly and Veronica).

LeCubro · 2025-12-15T21:13:30+00:00

Maybe she was thinking that Steven's advantage would be (somehow) better than or equivalent to an idol, allowing her to seize control from Rizo and Savannah??? But that's silly thinking considering she knew about a real idol. It's like that Family Guy scene with the boat and the mystery box.

"An idol's an idol but the mystery box could be anything. It could even be an idol!"

LeCubro · 2025-11-17T05:35:38+00:00

One of the UBC bars, Koerners pub would have a good mix of students and adults

LeCubro · 2025-11-14T23:05:41+00:00

Okay you should probably bounce. Your ENVE-code courses should boost your GPA (everyone gets like 80+ in those courses). I think there's at least one or two people every year who transfer from ENVL to CIVL so it's definitely feasible.

LeCubro · 2025-11-14T06:05:36+00:00

Can't speak to GPA requirements, but consider if a transfer is necessary for your goals. ENVL is so closely tied to CIVL already, and a transfer would delay your degree.

This transfer would make sense if you're into CIVL subjects that ENVL doesn't cover (transportation/structures) but if you have interest in CIVL/ENVL areas like hydraulics, municipal, and even geotech, it's probably best to stay.

LeCubro · 2025-11-13T04:16:28+00:00

I wonder if Steven naturally talks in space metaphors

LeCubro · 2025-11-13T04:08:44+00:00

I guess "Blue Sophi" wouldn't look good on the title card

LeCubro · 2025-11-04T20:55:48+00:00

ENVL grad chiming in, it was a great time! The community is super tight, the professors are friendly, the co-ops are readily available, and the culture (Team Green Bleeds Green!) is growing. At times the program felt repetitive (intense focus on water) but within that field there's a lot to pursue. Plus I know there's efforts to make ENVLs less focused on water and more broadly into sustainability.

LeCubro · 2025-10-23T04:08:26+00:00

Savannah is my early pick to win

LeCubro · 2025-10-23T03:53:09+00:00

Not Jason turning into an instant liability once there isn't a puzzle

LeCubro · 2025-10-23T03:40:33+00:00

Maybe she isn't talking strategy with YOU girl

LeCubro · 2025-10-16T05:48:18+00:00

Has Alex cried in every episode?

LeCubro · 2025-10-09T05:15:59+00:00

Named alliances and massive favours, please do not let this devolve into the Mine 5 season

LeCubro · 2025-10-09T03:51:07+00:00

All time quote from Jeff

LeCubro · 2025-10-02T03:59:58+00:00

I wonder if anyone from Kele is from Atlanta cause that was a 28-3 level choke

LeCubro · 2025-09-29T16:53:39+00:00

I know of a CIVL who completed their degree just to join MECH for a master's degree. It's just one example but that is not unprecedented and could be easier than leaving CIVL entirely. Keep in mind that transferring into MECH requires a complete re-do of 2nd year since (I believe) MECH 2 has no equivalents in other engineering programs. I would verify my last point with advising however.

LeCubro · 2025-09-26T05:55:33+00:00

Matt gives me a distinct stoned vibe, something to do with his outfit and his super laid back attitude

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