Mallory Haig, a Structural MEng student, shares her experience pursuing graduate studies at the University of Toronto. Originally from Ottawa, Mallory began her MEng journey in September 2025, building on her undergraduate studies at Queen’s University and deepening her focus in structural engineering while working part-time in the structural consulting firm.
Mallory Haig is a first-year Master of Engineering (MEng) student specializing in Structural Engineering. We spoke with Mallory about her decision to pursue graduate studies, her experience transitioning to Toronto, and what she has enjoyed most about the program so far.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself as an introduction?
My name is Mallory Haig. I'm a first-year MEng student focused on Structural Engineering. I started in September of 2025.
What motivated you to pursue a master’s degree?
I felt like I wanted to get a little bit more specialized understanding of my field. I felt that civil engineering is a very broad discipline, and I really wanted to narrow my knowledge to structural specifically.
Why did you choose the University of Toronto for your graduate studies?
Not only is the reputation and research in CivMin incredible, but also the diverse course offerings that really aligned with my interests, particularly seismic. There's some really amazing seismic research going on [in the department]. It’s the one and only research of its kind in the world. I found it really inspiring.
Are you a domestic student? Where did you complete your undergraduate degree?
Yes, I am. I'm originally from Ottawa. I did my undergraduate degree at Queen's University, and I came to Toronto just because I like the big city and I wanted to try something new.
You recently moved to Toronto. How has your experience been so far?
I love it here. There's so much going on, and it's a very active environment. I love being surrounded by tall buildings, which is my area of interest as well. So, it's perfect.
How has your student life been since starting the program?
It’s great. I love it. It was a bit of an adjustment at first, but once I got a handle on things, it became really interesting. It’s nice to have full control over what I’m studying and to be able to explore my interests in such a diverse environment with so many different course options.
I like that in graduate school I get to choose all the classes I take and there are no compulsory courses irrelevant to my interests. It gives me the opportunity to pick subjects am genuinely interested in, which makes me more motivated to learn.
In undergrad, the focus was more on the broader civil discipline. It was interesting and important to understand the different fields, but I always knew I was most interested in structural. Being here has allowed me to set up my courses in a way that fits my interests.
Have there been any standout courses for you so far?
My favourite class was CIV1171H -Principles of Earthquake Engineering and Seismic Design". I felt it was a really good balance between theory and real-world application, and it feels very relevant to industry and practice. The course project was a really great learning experience and the teaching team was very hands-on. Overall, it felt like it contributed greatly to my professional path.
What are you looking forward to as you continue in the program?
I’m looking forward to being able to apply what I’ve learned here to my work and in my career. I work at NCK, it’s a structural consulting firm based in Montreal, Quebec. I am a Designer, like a CPI - Candidat à la profession d'ingénieur (Candidate to the Engineering Profession), which is basically an engineer in training, but in Quebec.
I think I have a much broader scope of understanding now, specifically in my field, and it’s easier for me to relate to certain concepts. I find I’m able to pick things up more quickly at work, just because my brain feels more practiced. It’s really expanded my ways of thinking and I’ve learned so much.
Do you have any favourite places on campus?
It depends on what I’m working on. If I need to focus and want a quieter space, Gerstein Library is a great spot - for group work, I like booking rooms there. Robarts is also nice, especially around the St. George Street area, because of the view. It really depends on what I need that day.
Do you have any advice for students considering applying to the program?
I would say to stay open-minded and really give yourself the opportunity to explore your interests, because it's easy to go in with a firm game plan, which is what I did. But once you actually get here and realize all the different things that U of T has to offer, it can kind of throw you off.
Taking the time to explore your interests and allowing yourself to feel things through as you go, rather than locking into one path too early, is really important. There really is something for everyone here.
Watch Mallory's video: