By Marianne Meadahl, SFU News

Twin brothers Ryan and Gareth Bosley have always shared similar aspirations, so it was no surprise when the two high-school trackmates shared the leap to post-secondary school, winding up in SFU’s popular Mechatronic Systems Engineering program (MSE). 

The brothers, who are eligible to convocate on Oct. 5, are among 56 MSE students graduating this fall from the program, which is celebrating its 10th year. It combines courses in mechanical, electrical and software engineering, and includes hands-on training relevant to the job market.

“We were both attracted to the fact that the program provided a wide range of knowledge, not just limited to one discipline, and would provide a more well-rounded knowledge base,” says Gareth. 

Originally from South Africa, the family came to Canada when the boys were eight. The two developed an early passion for aviation, encouraged by their father’s career in the field. Both joined the air cadets at age 12 and obtained pilot’s licenses.

“From a young age, we were always told to follow our dreams, and inevitably that almost always meant pursuing the same interests—which was great, as we would always have a ‘friend’ to share them with,” says Gareth.

During their first two years at SFU they were part of the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) / Simon Fraser (SF) 1 Club, and carried on with self-led projects at home to further develop their skills. 

“We both had opportunities to get some hands-on experience in the field with different co-op positions,” says Ryan, who worked at a medical device company making dental equipment. Gareth, meanwhile, worked at a start-up company developing a new type of fuel cell.

The brothers plan to pursue careers in either the automotive or aviation industries.

Currently in Australia and unable to attend fall convocation, the Bosleys and fellow MSE graduates join the 345 alumni who’ve earned degrees in the program since its first graduating class in 2011.

Program graduates have a high employment success rate—more than 85 per cent land jobs following graduation. Many are sought by top companies such as General Motors, Tesla, Google and Microsoft. Others plant their career roots in start-ups and small businesses that benefit from their wide range of engineering skills and expertise.