Innovation Winter 2025/26

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT E lizabeth U nger , EIT

Elizabeth Unger, mechanical EIT at Hatch, is the lead for the BC division of Camp Engies. Camp Engies is a non-profit, volunteer-led organization, created by women in engineering for future women in engineering. It offers educational, inclusive, and fun camp experiences for girls.

Q What inspired you to volunteer with Camp Engies? Early on in my engineering degree, I became passionate about encouraging more young women to pursue engineering to create a more diverse workforce. When I was growing up, the only engineers I knew were men. At university, approximately 25 percent of my class were women. At my first co-op, there were only a few women on my team. I love working as an engineer and I wanted more young women to learn that this is a fulfilling career path for them. Camp Engies introduces girls to women engineers. We provide them with a space to learn about engineering so they can see themselves in that role from a young age and build lifelong relationships. There weren’t programs like this when I was growing up and I am excited about the camps we have created, seeing girls’ confidence grow, their interest in math and science increase, and new friendships form. We want to create an experience that is educational, inclusive, and fun for the campers so they see the endless possibilities a career in engineering can provide. Q How can the engineering community in BC and beyond support young girls in their journeys to explore engineering? As a young girl, it’s difficult to be in a career without seeing other women pursuing or actively working in that career. I didn’t know engineering was a career option for me until very late in Grade 12. In high school there was an engineering class we could take as an elective in Grade 9, but I didn’t sign up because I didn’t want to be

the only girl in the class. I reflect on that moment many times, because if there were dedicated engineering camps, workshops, and school programming specifically for girls when I was in school, I would have been much more comfortable trying the subject. Girls need spaces where they can explore engineering with other girls to be exposed to and test their problem solving, building acumen, communication skills, and teamwork skills. These spaces need to be created for girls to connect with women and foster mentoring relationships, where girls are able to ask questions freely. Q What was your most memorable moment as a volunteer? I have had many amazing and memorable moments volunteering with Camp Engies over the years! One of my favourite ones was at our Yukon camp in 2024. I had a young girl who was fascinated by my experience in mining engineering and was so excited when I told her engineers actually get to go into the mines – her face lit up! The next day, she came to camp with a rock for me containing pyrite (fool’s gold) and we talked more about mining engineering. I’ve kept the rock ever since and it’s a reminder to me of the great work we do, and the effect a single conversation can have. Q In your role as a volunteer, what are some of the key responsibilities you have? I started volunteering with Camp Engies in 2022 while pursuing my engineering degree at Queen’s University. I started by assisting with raising sponsorship funds, activity planning, transportation, and attended our

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Winter 2025/26

Innovation Innovation