Engineering and Ambition Anonymous

“This year,” Mr. Stelfox exclaimed confidently as he addressed the room of eighth-grade students, “I will uncover your innate love of science and technology.” By exposing us to the practical side of science, he did just that. Every morning we futilely attempted to predict his lessons, and every morning we were surprised: we built Rube Goldberg machines, conducted dissections, and even designed a multitude of experiments independently.

Though Mr. Stelfox kindled my enthusiasm for technology, it was my demanding and rewarding high school life that fueled my newfound passion. I took every Advanced Placement science and mathematics class available, and I also became a devoted participant in science-related clubs and competitions. In my junior year, however, my passion was transformed into anxiety when I suddenly realized that my interests were too broad. I was lost when confronted with the enormous array of possible career paths.

By a stroke of fate, my participation in Carleton University’s Shad Valley Program, a prestigious four-week summer science enrichment course, made my path clear. Each year the program brings together top math and science students to attend numerous environment- and technology-related lectures and workshops...