Q&A with Matt Northey

Matt Northey

Second Year Civil Engineering

Matt is a student ambassador here to answer your questions. Click here to contact Matt.

Do you remember when you decided you wanted to pursue engineering? What sparked your interest?

In my final year of high school, I was unsure of what I wanted to study at university. One day, I started to research which degree I wanted to pursue. I found the majority of the most innovative and creative people in today's world are engineers. I did some more research and realized that being an engineer isn't just about boring calculations – it's about questioning the ideas of today to solve future problems. This realization sparked my passion for engineering and has carried me through my first two years of university.

How do you manage school-related stress?

When I am stressed, talking about it with friends or family works best. I used to be shy about talking to others about stress, but I have learned it is the most normal emotion anyone can have. Stress is something that everyone has in their day-to-day life, but some handle it differently than others. If you acknowledge that you are stressed and find the roots of that stress, it can usually be fixed with a bit of hard work.

Favourite quote?

Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher. - Oprah Winfrey

You are a reflection of the people you surround yourself with. When you surround yourself with people that you look up to, you learn small lessons every day, slowly becoming the best version of yourself.

Favourite study spot on campus?

I do the vast majority of my studying in the Amit Chakma Engineering Building. As ACEB is relatively new, it is always clean, has the newest amenities and is always filled with other aspiring engineers. The large windows in the building allow sunlight to shine through the whole day. At night, you can often see the sun setting on the horizon, allowing for a spectacular view. Even though the building is busy during the week, there are lots of quiet nooks to get work done, whether it be alone or with friends.

Can you talk about your extra-curricular activities at Western (clubs, teams, volunteer work, outreach activities, athletics etc.)? Why would you encourage students to get involved in extra-curricular activities at Western Engineering?

Getting involved in extracurriculars at Western is the best way to meet lifelong friends. I currently have the privilege of being a soph - a mentor to around 15 incoming engineering students - answering their questions, whether they be school or socially related. This role has been extremely rewarding, connecting me with upper-year students who are sophs like me, while also allowing me to help out a future generation of engineers.

What is success to you?

Success is happiness, whatever that may be. For me, it is to make a positive, lasting impact on the world in the environmental sector. Partaking in meaningful work is important to me right now, and I plan to continue with that in the future. After that, I hope to live near the mountains, where I can ski every day in the winter.