Are engineers about to be replaced by AI? Is that just hype? To find out, Jason Yee sits down with longtime teammate and friend Ben Schmidt - senior geotechnical engineer and founder of Coast Geotechnical in Victoria, BC.

Ben shares his path from Campbell River to UBC, where he balanced the grueling schedule of varsity hockey with the demands of an engineering degree. He opens up about the pivots he made along the way - from nearly pursuing computer science, to finding his fit in materials and geotechnical engineering.

You’ll hear how Ben navigated internships, earned his P.Eng designation, and eventually took the leap to start his own firm. Along the way, he offers candid advice for future engineers: why the process of problem-solving matters more than quick answers, how to handle the stress of career choices, and what it really takes to build both technical skills and resilience.

If you’re a student considering engineering—or just curious how discipline, hockey, and hard work intersect with entrepreneurship—this conversation is full of insight and inspiration.

If you'd like support navigating your own journey, check us out at admissionprep.com