Mariana Latta Suazo (she/her) is from Kitchener, Ontario. She is graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering. She took five years to complete her program, including several co-op work terms in Canada and abroad.
What is your favourite memory of UVic?
My fondest memories of UVic are from Fall 2021, when school came back in person for my second year. After a year of isolation and studying remotely from Ontario, meeting new people, making friends, attending classes in person and getting to explore Victoria was incredibly special.
Do you have a favourite spot on campus?
As an engineering student, I spent most of my time in the Engineering Lab Wing, enjoying the couches by the windows in the lobby or busy working in the mech lab. I always loved walking through the quad and Finnerty Gardens, especially during the spring and summer semesters.
What was your most impactful professor or course?
While I had countless amazing classes and professors, my favourite would have to be MECH 400B, my capstone project. I worked in a team of five to design an adaptive kayaking device for a local charity, RAD Society. For the MECH 400B showcase, we got to see so many members of the public try our device and be so encouraging and excited about our innovation. This project gave me the opportunity to apply all my learning to create a successful prototype and have a positive impact in my community.
What activity or experience outside the classroom meant the most to you?
I was incredibly lucky to complete an international co-op in Chile at the Universidad de Concepción. I designed a small wave generator for the civil engineering department to use for educational purposes in a coastal engineering course. This culminated in leading a tutorial to fourth-year engineering students entirely in Spanish! Not only was this an excellent co-op experience, it was a special opportunity for me to explore my cultural background; my mother immigrated to Canada from Chile when she was 25 years old.
Is your current path what you envisioned for yourself growing up?
After graduating, I’m very excited to start working as a Mechanical Engineer for Schneider Electric (the company where I completed my third co-op). I loved my co-op there and the team I worked with and am really looking forward to going back!
Describe your experience at UVic in one word.
Growth!
