Finding Your Path: An Interview with Andrew Simpson on Switching Majors and Following Your Passions
Making decisions about your academic future can be overwhelming. You might be wondering if you're on the right path or questioning whether you should switch programs. It’s a big decision, and one that Andrew Simpson knows all too well. I had the chance to chat with Andrew, an engineer with a unique academic background that includes both English and engineering. His journey is a reminder that sometimes, the best path isn’t the one you initially set out on.
From Engineering to English… and Back Again
When I asked Andrew about his post-secondary experience, he laughed and admitted that his journey wasn’t as straightforward as he once thought it would be.
1. Can you tell us a bit about your post-secondary school and career experience? The programs you studied and what kind of work you do now?
"In high school, I had a natural aptitude for learning and enjoyed both sciences and the humanities, as well as music. I always enjoyed playing with computers and trying to understand how they worked, so in my senior year, I applied to study engineering at UBC and was accepted. I really struggled with the transition to university and being away from home for the first time; I consequently didn't do very well in my first year. After some soul searching, I decided to switch to study an arts degree, and ultimately chose English language as my major. I really loved studying English and was much more successful in that program, and graduated on the Dean's List in my final year.
After university, and having never lost my love of computers, I applied for a marketing/technical writer position at a small Silicon Valley company that made embedded computers, and that had just opened an office a few years prior in Vancouver. I started off writing mostly marketing content like press releases and magazine articles for technical publications, in addition to our end-user documentation. As part of this, I started a technical blog for the company, which ended up leading to me completely redeveloping our company website as a side project. I became increasingly involved with demoing our computer products and learning more about the electrical/computer engineering behind them, which ultimately inspired me to go back and finish the engineering degree I had started all those years ago, but now with the renewed confidence of having some work experience in the field and the knowledge I could be successful.
I studied electrical engineering at UBC and was on the Dean's List two of the three years I was there (having missed one year by less than 1% on my average!). I worked very hard and treated it like a full-time job (or two, considering the hours spent studying outside the classroom were easily double the amount of time as actual lectures...). I really enjoyed the program and met some very interesting people I still keep in touch with to this day. After graduating, I went back to that same Silicon Valley company, this time as an electrical designer, and spent several years designing circuit boards and learning more about the business side. We were ultimately acquired by a much larger company and I was promoted to operations manager. After a couple of years, I decided to take some time off for personal reasons, and later joined a local tech company as a manufacturing engineer, which I am still doing today. My job consists of translating cool technical designs into real, manufacturable products that can be mass produced and sold around the world."
Andrew’s story is one of resilience and growth. It shows how stepping away from a chosen path can lead to new perspectives—and even bring you back full circle.
The Unexpected Benefits of an English Degree
Andrew’s journey highlights how an unexpected decision—like switching to English—can actually offer lifelong skills that help in other fields.
2. Did your English Language Degree help you in your engineering studies in any expected or unexpected ways?
"Absolutely, yes. It taught me the importance of attention to detail and of communication skills. Many engineers (many much smarter than I!) often struggle with communication and interpersonal skills, which are increasingly important in the workplace, especially with new hybrid work models where people may not all be working in the same place. For my coursework, specifically, it helped me present reports and projects in clear and concise ways, and was instrumental in my success. It also helps with my career, both for work tasks, but also for job hunting, where the importance of resume and cover letter writing cannot be overstated."
This was such an interesting point because often students focus on the technical side of their studies, but Andrew’s success shows just how important communication and attention to detail can be, no matter the field.
Advice for Students: Take Your Time
When we got to the advice portion of the interview, Andrew’s reflections were both practical and reassuring.
3. What advice would you give to students that are unsure of which program to choose or are considering switching? If you could give your 18-year-old self any advice, what would it be?
"Take your time and don't sweat it. One thing I think really might have benefitted me is taking a gap year or two to get some work experience out of high school, rather than going directly to university. Life would have been a lot easier if I had been more mature and my thinking a bit more serious when I started my post-secondary coursework. As for course of study, it's never too late to pursue one's dreams - life is a journey, after all. I had engineering classmates who were working on their first degrees in their mid-30s and even some in their 40s, and in some of my arts courses, there were even some classmates in their 60s."
I loved this advice. It’s easy to feel pressured to make decisions quickly, but Andrew’s perspective reminds us that life isn’t a race. Taking your time can lead to more thoughtful, meaningful choices.
What Would He Study Now?
Before we wrapped up, I couldn’t help but ask if he had any lingering interests he’d like to explore in the future.
4. If you had to go back to school, what would you study?
"Just for fun, for another degree, I would love to study music. I have always been interested in it and have tried to keep up playing the piano over the years. I think it would be really fascinating to do some formal coursework in this area just to learn more."
It’s clear that Andrew’s love for learning never stops. Whether in the arts or engineering, he’s always eager to dive into something new, showing us that curiosity is key to growth—no matter the stage of life.
Conclusion: Embrace the Twists and Turns
Andrew Simpson’s academic journey is proof that the path to your dream career isn’t always linear. Sometimes, taking a step back or switching gears is exactly what you need to succeed. His story shows that every experience—whether in arts, sciences, or the workforce—can contribute to your success in unexpected ways.
If you’re feeling uncertain about your academic future, remember that you don’t have to make these decisions alone. At Large Tutoring, we offer academic coaching to help guide you through the university application process and assist you in selecting programs that align with your dreams and career goals. We also offer both online and in-person tutoring services from grade 5 to first-year university.
Got questions? We’re here to help—reach out to us today!
