It is very exciting to know how valuable the Wood Products program really is. Currently, I am working as a project manager for LEBY Fixtures and Interiors in Moncton, New Brunswick. This company is famous for it innovative wood construction and design. LEBY has a diverse portfolio of work all over the world from five-star resorts in Puerto Rico to the Bellagio casino in Las Vegas to erecting all of Tim Horton’s in the East Coast of Canada. As a project manager, I am involved in new tasks every week. Due to my specialized education, co-op experience and knowledgeable professors, I am capable of tackling any task put in front of me. From the finishing department to material handling, quality control, and optimal production flow, this education has given me the confidence that I need to step up and make changes.
– Patrick Crabbe
I initially switched into the Wood Products program because I liked the idea of applying engineering principles to the use of wood emerging from the forest. However, I soon discovered that there are many unexpected benefits to the program. In a pure engineering or pure science program you may focus on the heavy theory of one specialized application, but in Wood Products you learn all aspects of an entire industry. To top that off, I have noticed that people like talking about wood. People from all around the world, and especially in places like BC, have some experience with wood products, ranging from houses to furniture to instruments. In my first co-op work term, I have dealt with one such hidden source of fascination: wood preservatives. Although it may sound bizarre, many homeowners in particular are drawn to this topic as it relates to decking and fencing. My education in Wood Products has allowed me to feel like a mini authority in this area; I look forward to what future work terms bring.
– Mike Kofoed
I chose to study Wood Products because I wanted to be in a program that applies analytical thinking used in science, and that deals with real-world challenges faced in engineering, business, and sustainability. The degree also gives a good grasp of today’s wood industry which makes it very relevant. The classes are small, the instructors care about the students, and the courses are practical, with a good combination of theory and application – a scientific analysis of wood anatomy and how it affects the use of wood in everyday life, as well as how to manipulate the wood’s characteristics to use its optimum capabilities. All in all, I would recommend the Wood Products program to anyone.
– Rynehvee Tan
I work for a high-end, high-design furniture retailer. My role is to source vendors around the world to build proprietary designs for the company’s 50+ stores and work as the link between the designers, product development, and the factories. I mainly work in Italy and Eastern Europe, but also in Asia and Brazil. I am thrilled as this is absolutely my dream job and I feel incredibly fortunate. Without a doubt, the Wood Products program was a large factor that helped me land the job, and I just want to say thank you again for providing me with such a valuable and recognized education that has led to such a fantastic opportunity – thank you!
– Richard Trory
Congratulations! You are one of the best programs at UBC, and you should be proud of yourself. This program may be a little longer (and tougher in some ways) compared to others but you will soon find out it’s worth the effort. While the professors and instructors from the industry offer you world-class solid academic foundation, the co-op program gives you the excellent chance to approach the real world with what you have learned, and feel how it is really at the workplace.
– Kenny Yiu
The variety of classes and work experience I had in wood products was unlike the vast majority of what I saw from other faculties while I was at UBC. It really did prepare me for what was coming after graduation. Just having a degree does not mean very much in today’s work world, but having work experience, references, and communication skills makes you desirable in any line of work, including further education like medicine or law. If given the choice again after high school, I would repeat my wood products program without a second thought.
– Kevin Tyler
Joining the Wood Products program was one of the best decisions I have made since coming to UBC. It offers a practical and widely applicable degree that has very promising career prospects, both within and outside the wood industry. As well, it is delivered by a student-orientated faculty which is second to none, making it a truly exceptional program.
– AJ Mackenzie
The Wood Products Co-op Program is an excellent resource for recruiting short-term staff to work on special projects. In exchange for providing the tools to get the job done and some back-up support, employers acquire staff who are self-motivated, hard working and do a great job. I am very impressed with the co-op students and highly recommend hiring them.
– William Love, Vice President, Technical Engineering, Tembec Forest Products Group, Temiscaming, QC
I have had many co-op students working with me over the years, and they have contributed significantly to my production, and to my bottom line. Students have worked on projects in the areas of quality control and production management, and have provided my company with a level of knowledge equivalent to a professional consultant. I will continue to support the UBC Wood Products Co-op Program; to employers in the wood industry who haven’t yet hired a Wood Products co-op student, all I can say is “What are you waiting for?”
– Charles Loewen, President/CEO, Loewen Windows, Steinbach, MB
Technical people with practical experience are crucial to the success of Palliser Furniture. Today, we owe a great deal to our employees who have gained their specialized expertise abroad. We need graduates of the Wood Products Program to continue to grow and succeed as we have in the past.
– Frank DeFehr, President. Palliser Furniture, Winnipeg, Manitoba
A career in the secondary wood manufacturing industry will be a challenging experience in the years ahead. Increased global competition and environmental concerns will make the wood products graduate a definite asset for many companies and a key player in the competitiveness of Canadian industry.
– Roger Fournier, President, Triangle Kitchen Ltd., Moncton, New Brunswick
Our sales and marketing staff need to have good technical knowledge to help furniture and cabinet manufacturers make the right choice when it comes to hardware. A UBC Wood Products degree would be a major advantage.
– Dick Stroink, Vice President, Julius Blum Canada Ltd., Mississauga, Ontario
