Engineering Conversations cover art

Engineering Conversations

Engineering Conversations

Written by: David deMontigny
Listen for free

About this listen

Engineering Conversations has one simple goal... to promote engineering. By having conversations with engineers about their backgrounds and careers, we will showcase a wide variety of industries and explore the types of jobs that engineers perform when they finish university.

These conversations may help young people understand what it is that engineers do in their day to day work. As young people learn about these types of careers, they may be inspired to become and engineer and help make the world a better place.

Engineering Conversations is hosted by David deMontigny, an engineering professor at the University of Regina.

The University of Regina is situated on Treaty 4 lands with a presence in Treaty 6. These are the territories of the nêhiyawak (nay-hi-yuh-wuk, Cree), Anihšināpēk (uh-nish-i-naa-payk, Saulteaux), Dakota, Lakota, Nakoda, and the homeland of the Métis/Michif Nation. Today, these lands continue to be the shared territory of many people from near and far. They are an important part of our past, and an even more important part of our future.

------------------------------
Thanks to JennyHDesign and SoulProdMusic for help with the artwork and music!

© 2026 Engineering Conversations
Careers Economics Personal Success
Episodes
  • Smart Technologies for Smart Waste: Sam Dietrich
    Jan 5 2026

    Send us a text

    Do you pride yourself in how your organize your organics, recycling, and garbage materials for pick-up? Or do you just throw everything together in one bin? Clearly, if materials are organized properly it makes it much easier to process them at the relevant facility.

    In this episode we sit down with Sam Dietrich to learn about his career, which has seen him working in robotics and programming. Sam has a background in Industrial Systems engineering, and minors in both Electronics and Software Systems engineering. Sam is the CEO at Prairie Robotics, which uses smart technologies to help clients gather data during the collection of recycling, organics, and garbage materials. This data can then be used to help educate residents on how to organize their recyclables, organics, and garbage for collection. Sam talks about his experience at university, his initial work experiences after graduation, and what led to the creation of Prairie Robotics. Sam also offers advice to young people thinking about a career in engineering.

    Show More Show Less
    45 mins
  • Environmental Engineering in the Steel Industry: Kamille Brunwald
    Dec 22 2025

    Send us a text

    Steel can be found everywhere in our day-to-day lives. It is in our appliances, our vehicles, our houses, work environments and more. Steel is used widely in manufacturing countless products. The production of steel is a complicated process and engineers from several disciplines work in this industry.

    In this episode we sit down with Kamille Brunwald to learn about her career in the steel industry. Kamille has a background in Environmental Systems engineering and works at InterPro Pipe and Steel. In this conversation we learn about the production of steel from recycled metals. Kamille talks about the work she does to help with environmental compliance, reducing environmental footprints, and more. Kamille also offers advice to young people thinking about a career in engineering.

    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
  • Geotechnical and Environmental Engineering: Wayne Clifton
    Dec 8 2025

    Send us a text

    Did you know that there is an entire field of engineering that studies how structures interact with soil and rock? The engineering mechanics of these interactions help engineers design infrastructure including, roadways, buildings, lagoons, and much more. Prior to any construction, geotechnical and environmental engineers are often involved in site assessment and during the lifetime of a project they can be involved in monitoring a site and handling remediation measures. The opportunities for interesting and meaningful projects are endless.

    In this episode we sit down with Wayne Clifton to learn about his extensive career in geotechnical and environmental engineering. Wayne is the CEO and founder of the Clifton Engineering Group. With close to sixty years of experience working on a countless number of projects, Wayne is recognized as one of the pioneers in geotechnical engineering and has been recognized for his contributions to the field. In this conversation, Wayne highlights his journey into engineering, his early career, and the creation of his company. Wayne also offers advice to young people thinking about a career in engineering.

    Show More Show Less
    51 mins
No reviews yet