Alumni Spotlight: Ananya Swaminathan

Discovering Electrical Engineering Through Design Teams

Ananya began her UBC journey in 2020 as an international student studying remotely from India during the pandemic. She initially planned to pursue mechanical engineering, but her first-year experience on the UBC Thunderbikes design team changed her direction.

“I realized I preferred the electrical aspect of the bike more than the mechanical one,” she says. Combined with strong performance in her first-year electrical courses, the experience steered her toward electrical engineering.

Getting onto a design team wasn’t easy. Ananya focused her efforts on a few teams aligned with her interests rather than applying everywhere. “In first year, they don’t quite look into your technical skills,” she explains. “They want to know if you’re willing to learn and have the time and commitment to the team.” She said that showing your eagerness during the interview really helps.

When she eventually arrived on campus, she found a quieter, COVID-era UBC that allowed her to explore and settle in. She appreciated the beauty of campus and the chance to gradually build connections in person.

Leading and Learning Outside the Classroom

Ananya’s involvement with Thunderbikes grew quickly. She moved from mechanical to electrical roles, explored the team’s aero subteam, and eventually stepped into leadership, serving as captain in her later years. Along the way, she gained insight into the non-technical side of running an organization, including administration and marketing.

“A lot of engineering students forget there’s more to a team than just the technical aspect,” she says. Understanding how every subteam contributed to the final product helped her lead more effectively.

Beyond design teams, Ananya was also a teaching assistant for APSC 100 and 101 and participated in multiple student clubs. Despite her packed schedule, she maintained strong balance through structured time management, using monthly and daily calendars to plan her commitments. Because she genuinely enjoyed her extracurriculars, they felt energizing rather than draining.

Building a Career Through Co-op

Before securing a full-time position, Ananya was a co-op student at Turner—an experience that shaped her career direction and confirmed her desire to pursue project management.

She learned about Turner through networking after attending an information session on campus. Drawn in by the company’s projects and curious about project management, she connected with the HR representative who later sent her an application.

Her co-op roles spanned pre-construction estimating, active construction coordination, and business development. She reviewed design drawings for conflicts, handled on-site problem solving, and even contributed to winning new projects. Surprisingly to her, she was entrusted with significant ownership on large projects.

Going into co-op, I thought that I would be getting really small roles and responsibilities. […] Just being given the opportunity to perform was something that set Turner apart.

She also commented on the company’s diversity. Ananya faced additional hurdles in her co-op search, as many positions required permanent residency or citizenship. “The opportunities are very limited, and a lot of international students are going for the same select few jobs,” she says. That wasn’t the case with Turner. “Almost every second person over here is international. That was another thing that really helped me because you have people from your background, from other countries that are in the same surroundings. It's like a cultural melting pot.”

Managing Major Projects as a New Grad

Now working full-time at Turner, Ananya manages two projects that involve extensive constructability coordination, design, budgeting, and financial planning. Much of what she does was learned on the job, supported by a team that encourages her to pursue areas she’s passionate about.

For tasks that would typically be handled by her senior team members, her manager provides guidance while allowing her to take ownership of key responsibilities. “Whatever you want to do, you get the resources from the team around you, and they let you run it,” she explains.

One of the most rewarding moments so far has been seeing a major project, the FIFA training facilities for the 2026 World Cup, reach completion and receiving public recognition. Watching something she helped build come to life reinforced why she enjoys working in construction and project management.

Her Advice to Students

Never be scared of putting yourself out there and getting the experience that you want, even if it scares you.

Ananya credits her growth to consistently saying yes to opportunities and being vocal about her goals. She emphasizes two essential skills: eagerness to learn and strong people skills. Whether leading meetings, asking questions, or volunteering for new challenges, she believes growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone.

“Be willing to go out there and make sure people know you exist,” she says.