Brett earned his Cognitive Science BA in 2003. He has worked as a CNC Programmer/Machinist in the lower mainland for over 5 years and, is always looking for new ways to apply Cognitive Science at his job. |
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‘Don’t try to find the “ultimate” Cognitive Science job right away. Look for places to apply skills you know so that you can build experience.’
Q. What made you get into Cognitive Science?
A. Well I was interested in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the courses I was taking seemed to fit in with the Cognitive Science program. After starting out in Psychology, and doing some Computer Science courses in 3rd year, I finally declared Cognitive Science as my major in my 4th year with a minor in Computer Science, and Psychology.
Q. Were your expectations met?
A. When I took it [the program], it could have used more focus. You didn’t pick three of the four streams like you do now. Also there wasn’t enough information about how to apply the degree in the workforce. I didn’t do co-op, but there were jobs posted which required Cognitive Science in management, technology, automation, computer vision, and anything in intelligent systems.
Q. Did you have a clear idea of where you wanted to go with it when you started?
A. No, but my biggest interest was in AI.
Q. What helped you find your way?
A. I was looking for a way to apply it to my career, and I’m still in the process of figuring it out. There are more jobs in Ontario, but I don’t want to move.
Q. Overall, how has your Cognitive Science BA fit into your career?
A. It fit in quite well. In my job, I have used Cog Sci to help me learn and understand CAM-Computer Aided Machining software and how it can be improved using resolution theorem proving, statistics and various algorithms. Also, it has helped me to learn new things, adapt to new software, new situations, and new programming languages. I’m also in the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, and use my computer and computer vision skills to process astronomical images.
Q. Tell us about the job search process as a Cognitive Science graduate
A. I had two or three interviews, and looked for about a month. I’d been previously employed as a CNC Machinist for many years, so experience was more important in my case than the degree.
Q. How did employers respond to your Cognitive Science degree?
A. Only one asked about the Cognitive Science BA, and overall employers seemed to be in a rush. They were interested in a robot project I worked on. It was a centipede-type robot I built after finishing at SFU.
Q. How have your Cognitive Science skills translated into transferable job skills?
A. Adaptability to new technology/new software. Organizational skills, writing skills. Public speaking, presentations.
Q. You have a new job. How is it going?
A. I am a CNC Programmer Team Lead at a plastic vacuform company in Langley called Form-IT Plastics. I got the job through more than 5 years experience at another company. I do drawing, design, setup, and other work using software like AutoCAD and MasterCAM. I am also working on a project to automate the CAD process.
Q. Any word on the street in your field about where Cognitive Science graduates are being hired, in what industries, or who is interested in Psychology and Computer Science skills?
A. Management Jobs, User Interface Design, HCI (Human-Computer Interaction), Human Resources. Any job with the keyword Intelligent Systems.
Q. Looking back… what advice do you have for current students?
A. If you know your focus, go talk to people in your field, network yourself. Theoretical skills need to be coupled with practical skills, so get experience in your field. Don’t try to find the “ultimate” Cognitive Science job right away. Look for places to apply skills you know so that you can build experience. A degree is not going to prepare you to get a job, University degrees allow you to learn new things, get deeper into a subject, and learn adaptability.
Thank-you Brett, for taking the time to speak with the Cognitive Science Program today.
The heart of the Cognitive Science Program lies in its ability to facilitate creative cross-discipline thinking. Cognitive Science at SFU is proud to be the home of many thoughtful students who have found imaginative approaches to connect their broad interests in ways that allow them to get the engaging education they want. Learn more about other Cognitive Science Program alumni.