Alumni Spotlight: Colin Pereira

What was your experience like in the UBC Engineering program?

Colin reflects on his time at UBC as a blend of exhilarating highs and challenging lows. "You have these really high emotional bursts of happiness when you've gotten great grades on an assignment [...] And those can very quickly turn into lows when you've done quite poorly." But this mix of success and setbacks helped him develop adaptability and resilience, traits that have been helpful in his career journey.

The importance of balance

Engineering is a high-pressure degree, and Colin navigated its demands by prioritizing balance. “Being in an academically rigorous program, I was the type of student that outside of school I was like, Hey, I kind of want to be able to focus on meeting friends and being able to build strong friendships and connections”. To avoid burnout, he engaged in extracurriculars that let him take a break from academics like intramurals, events like Storm the Wall, and volunteering at Applied Science events.

He also found balance in his role as a peer coach, a position recommended by his own peer advisor. This opportunity allowed him to mentor students searching for their first job, improving their resumes and guiding them through the job search process. He found this role not only rewarding but also a great way to develop skills in mentorship and coaching—skills he later took into his professional role at Motorola.

For Colin, engaging in activities outside of engineering was key to maintaining well-being and avoiding burnout. Despite his busy schedule, he maintained the flexibility to explore his own interests.

How did co-op shape your career?

Colin credits his co-op experience at UBC for playing a major role in shaping his career. He saw co-op as an opportunity to explore different industries with low risk, gaining diverse experience quickly. "Co-op was like a playground," he says. "You could try various roles and gain skills in a short amount of time."

His first work experience, as a design and verification intern, allowed him to apply classroom learning to real-world projects. But it also helped him realize that hardware wasn't his true passion. During the pandemic, he upskilled in software development, which let to a position at UBC startup Building Blocks. 

His final co-op landed him at Motorola Solutions, where he now works full-time as a Software Engineer. He spends a lot of time by himself breaking down problems, finding solutions, and communicating his ideas — all while having fun with a great team and fun colleagues."

Reflecting on his journey, Colin advises students to remain open-minded and explore:

I thought I'd hate software engineering — the thought of sitting in front a screen all day worried me! Colin of three or four years ago would have laughed at where I am right now. But because I had an open mind and took a leap to try out something new that I thought I wouldn't like, led me to where I am today and led me to an industry that I absolutely love.

Important skills for success

While technical skills are important, Colin believes soft skills are what truly set students apart. “A lot of students tend to have very similar technical skills. And part of that is because we all do the same courses. We've all done the same project and lab work.”

He emphasizes the importance of problem-solving and communication within teams. He advises students to get involved in extracurriculars to develop these skills. “For example, volunteering at events like the UBC Open House helped me practice speaking publicly and interact with people I didn’t know."

Networking was also essential in Colin’s journey. Although networking can feel intimidating, he recommends approaching it like a first date—going in with low expectations and focusing on gaining insights rather than securing a job. “[The goal] is to meet someone to gain insights about their industry and their experience.” A first step is to access resources on campus, like one-on-one sessions with peer coaches and co-op advisors.

Staying up-to-date with industry trends is also important. Colin stresses that understanding the latest frameworks and design practices is crucial, particularly in a constantly evolving field like software engineering. A blend of technical expertise and strong soft skills is key to success in any industry.

What is the main piece of advice that you have for students?

Colin’s advice is simple: “It’s not that serious.” He reflects on how students often put unnecessary pressure on themselves—whether it’s over grades or jobs.

While a healthy amount of stress can be motivating, Colin believes it’s important to enjoy the journey. When you enjoy what you do, you naturally perform well and are more inclined to learn more. Grades and setbacks won't define your future, but how you pick yourself back up after that will. 

If you know what your goals are and where you're headed to, things will tend to fall into place because you will be looking out for opportunities and one of those opportunities will open up a door.