Say hello to Alain Abi-Akl, a final-year Electrical Engineering student at Carleton University. Alain recently wrapped up an impressive 16-month placement as the Hardware Engineering Co-Op working out of our Ottawa office.
Early Beginnings
From an early age, Alain was inquisitive about the inner workings of communication and electronic devices. He realized that electrical engineering was his true calling the moment he started learning about electrical and mathematical topics in physics. As a Co-Op student eager to experience engineering beyond the classroom, Alain was determined to find the right role, even if the details of where he saw our posting are a little fuzzy now.
Working at SKYTRAC gave Alain a broader understanding of real engineering teams’ work and a crash course in tools and processes he hadn’t seen before. Learning about the satcom and aerospace industry, he quickly got his hands dirty. It didn’t take long for Alain to dive into new tools like Altium, Spectrum Analyzers, and AutoCAD. Along the way, he also learned a lot about himself, including his capabilities at work, improved communication, and enhanced research skills.
Over the course of his Co-Op, one skill that Alain developed and is proud of was designing and testing printed circuit boards using Altium. While having worked in multiple projects during his tenure, his favourite project was the export of a test board from ExpressPCB to Altium while applying hand modifications that were needed on an old board.
I wanted to learn soldering, and I got the chance to do that on physical boards during my tenure.
Life at Skytrac
When asked to sum up the culture at SKYTRAC in three words, Alain quickly responded, “Supportive, Intelligent, and Amiable.” While there was a lot to take in at first, he says that’s exactly what made the experience so valuable.
Since I first got here 16 months ago, I received a lot of support from different employees in all my tasks. I was able to tap into the well of knowledge that everyone has in their work and benefit by learning through them. I never had a problem with anyone; I immediately felt easy around people and talked to everyone as if I knew them for years.
Lasting Impressions
When asked who left the biggest mark on his time at SKYTRAC, one name came up without hesitation: Jonathan Memmott. Jonathan stood out as a go-to for guidance and support, offering encouragement and honest feedback throughout for Alain. While Jonathan provided answers Alain needed, Alain found Jonathan’s patience and approachability to be the most beneficial for his learning. Alain’s professional relationship with Jonathan reminds him that learning is a team sport and that having someone by your side makes a lot of difference.
Advice to Future Co-Ops
His message to future Co-Ops? Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Whether it is technical skills or industry insights, the knowledge is here, collect it as much as you can.
Do not be scared, do not be shy. There is a wealth of knowledge in every department and employee here. Ask and you shall receive.
Life outside the office
Outside of work, Alain looks back fondly on team paintball games, potlucks, and ziplines. But most of all, he cherishes the laughs and inside jokes shared with coworkers that made every day more enjoyable.
P.S – Alain also left SKYTRAC with a new addiction: Bubly. “I never had it before coming here, and I don’t even want to think about how many I’ve gone through in the past year,” he laughs while saying this.
From hands-on PCB work to memorable team outings, Alain took full advantage of every opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute, all while developing a deep appreciation for the aerospace industry (and sparkling water).
It is students like Alain who bring fresh energy and curiosity to the work we do. We’re excited to keep sharing more stories from our co-op crew. For career/co-op opportunities visit skytrac.ca/careers.
