Luigi Burjato’s dad is a mechanical engineer. His mom is a chemical engineer. When it came time to pick a career, he chose engineering. Civil, to be precise.
After deciding against the six years of university in Brazil he would have needed to obtain an engineering degree, Burjato chose to study abroad, learn a new language, and find a postsecondary option which would meet with his career goals. His research brought him to Canada.
He found St. Lawrence College’s advanced diploma in Civil Engineering Technology, moved to Kingston, and enrolled in 2018. In the years following, he had placement opportunities at Coco Group testing asphalt, and a research assistant opportunity with Smith Engineering’s Geotechnical Department where Burjato conducted tests on various geosynthetic materials.
Following graduation in 2021 he became a Project Coordinator with TA Andre & Sons, a local general contracting firm that works on infrastructure projects across the province.
“I always wanted to design buildings and build high rises,” Burjato says. “This role has me working on hydroelectric dams and public infrastructure which is way more exciting than my original plan!”
It was during his time with TA Andre & Sons that he got “ring fever” — the desire to earn a degree in engineering.
“St. Lawrence runs workshops on how to apply to the Smith Engineering bridge program,” he says. “Once I graduated, got some work experience, and secured my permanent residency, I figured I needed a new challenge, and this seemed like a good fit.”
The Smith Engineering Bridge program is intended for college students holding or completing advanced diplomas from Engineering Technology programs who wish to obtain a Smith Engineering degree, a first step in qualifying for a Professional Engineer certification and obtaining an Iron Ring. Full details on the program can be found on the Engineering Bridge page.
Though he was already familiar with the university through his past research assistant work, Burjato got his first taste of Queen’s student life this winter while completing an online calculus course to help prepare him for a summer of studies. This fall, he began full-time studies at Queen’s alongside other third-year Smith Engineering students, including some familiar faces.
“I have a friend who graduated with me at St. Lawrence and is just finishing his Queen’s studies. He gave me a couple of tips to help with my application,” he says.
Outside of the academics, Burjato is excited for the extracurriculars and community connections that come with being a student here. After a term competing alongside Queen’s students on the Men’s Sabre fencing team, he became the team captain.
“The first thing I did when I got my acceptance letter was email the fencing coach,” he says. “And now I'm captain of the fencing team.”
In addition to studies and fencing, Burjato plans to keep working for TA Andre & Sons part-time and during placements over the next two years. He hopes to use his working hours to increase his exposure to different engineering disciplines by working with environmental and structural engineers, as well as practicing his design skills.
This article is relevant to the following Strategic Actions as defined in the Strategic Plan:
