Meet Ravy Lock: A passionate fourth-year Civil Engineering student at UBC Okanagan, Ravy has embraced every opportunity to learn, grow, and make a meaningful impact. From student projects and competitions to research and leadership roles, he’s been actively involved in shaping his academic and professional journey. What drives him isn’t just the desire to stand out, but a genuine love for collaboration and creating solutions that matter. While he’s still exploring his path, he approaches it with curiosity, purpose, and deep appreciation for the experiences and support that have helped him get here.
A headshot of Ravy standing outside.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I grew up in the city of Hong Kong and then spent most of my high school years in Vancouver, so I’ve always lived in cities where there’s a lot going on. I think just being around that – tall buildings, roads, and CONSTANT construction – made me curious about how everything worked. I didn’t have some big “aha” moment, but civil engineering felt like an industry I could build a home in (pun intended). I like the idea of building things that actually help people, even if it’s in small ways. In the recent years, I’ve started to think more seriously about the kind of impact I want to have, and that led me to focus more on sustainability. That’s shaped a lot of what I’m working on now, from doing research on eco-friendly soil stabilization methods to leading a student design team that looks at structural efficiency and optimizing project life cycles. Whether it’s through competitions, research, or even just learning, I’ve been trying to stay mindful of how engineering choices affect the bigger picture.
What drew you to UBC Okanagan and the School of Engineering?
To be honest, it wasn’t some big plan from the start. I knew I wanted to study engineering, and UBCO offered a more welcoming environment where I could actually get to know people, not just be a face in a crowd. The smaller class sizes and hands-on learning really stood out to me. It felt like a place where I could try things, make mistakes, and grow at my own pace. Over time, I’ve come to appreciate how much freedom students have to shape their own experience here.
Over time, I’ve come to appreciate how much freedom students have to shape their own experience here.
What has been the best part about being a UBCO Engineering student so far? If you could design a course or program to add to your degree, what would it be?
The best part for me has honestly been the people. UBCO is a smaller campus, so it’s easier to get to know your classmates, professors, and even folks in different disciplines. That sense of community made it easier to take risks because you know there’s support around you.
If I could design a course, I’d probably want something that blends hands-on construction with sustainability. Something like a “design-build” studio where students actually build small-scale projects using recycled or low-impact materials. It would give people a better feel for how designs actually come to life, and what trade-offs you have to make when working with real-world constraints.
On the flip side, what has been the most challenging aspect of university experience so far? How has your perspective on perseverance evolved because of it, and what lessons did you learn from it?
I think the most challenging part has been learning how to navigate ambiguity, not just academically, but in life. University doesn’t come with a step-by-step guide, and sometimes it feels like you’re making big decisions with limited information, whether it’s picking a project, choosing between work opportunities, or figuring out what “success” even means to you.
Perseverance used to mean grinding things out no matter what, but now I see it more as staying grounded when things feel uncertain. It’s about being okay with not knowing everything right away, and still moving forward with intention. I’ve learned that discomfort is part of growth, and that clarity often comes after, not before, you take the leap.
I’ve learned that discomfort is part of growth, and that clarity often comes after, not before, you take the leap.
Why did you choose to study engineering? How do you envision engineering shaping your life personally and professionally in the future?
I’ve known since I was a kid that I wanted to build things. I didn’t know the word for it at the time, but I was always drawn to how things worked – how buildings stood up, how roads connected, how everything fit together. That curiosity eventually led me to civil engineering. It felt like a natural path where I could apply that interest in a way that actually helps people and communities.
I see engineering as more than just a job — it’s a mindset that teaches you how to think critically, adapt, and design with intention. Whether I stay on a technical path or move toward starting something of my own, I know I want to keep working on meaningful problems and creating things that leave a positive mark.
What project or experience at UBCO has made you feel particularly proud or like a “real” engineer so far?
Leading the UBCO Steel Bridge Team has probably been the moment when it all felt real. Starting the team from scratch, figuring out design challenges, coordinating fabrication, dealing with last-minute issues… It was messy, stressful, and honestly one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done.
There was something about seeing a physical structure come to life, piece by piece, that hit different. It wasn’t just theory or grades anymore, it was solving problems under pressure, working with a team, and building something you could literally stand on. That’s when it really clicked for me: this is what engineering feels like.
How has Engineering changed your view on the world? What misconceptions do you think the public holds about engineering, and what would you do to change those perceptions?
Engineering has made me see the world through a more systems-based lens. I’ve come to realize that almost everything around us is the result of countless decisions, trade-offs, and problem-solving behind the scenes. It’s helped me appreciate the complexity of everyday things and the responsibility that comes with shaping them.
I think a common misconception is that engineering is purely technical, just math, formulas, and cold calculations. But in reality, it’s deeply human. Engineering is about people, context, and impact. If we want to change that perception, we need to tell better stories. We need to show how engineering touches lives, supports communities, and solves real problems, especially in ways that aren’t always flashy or visible.
Engineering is about people, context, and impact.
Ravy competing at WEC 2025 in the University of Sasketchewan.
What is one thing most people don’t know about you?
Most people don’t know that I can be pretty self-critical. On the outside, I might seem confident or driven, but I spend a lot of time second-guessing myself and quietly figuring things out behind the scenes. I think it’s part of why I work hard, not to prove anything to others, but to meet my own standards.
Who or what inspires you? Have you had a mentor before, and if so, what did they help you learn about yourself?
I come from a lineage of remarkable individuals. My parents and those before them have achieved a great deal, but more than their accomplishments, it’s their kindness and character that continue to inspire me the most. They’ve set an example of working hard, staying grounded, and doing things with integrity, not for external recognition, but because it’s the right thing to do. That mindset has stuck with me.
I’ve also been fortunate to have mentors throughout university who challenged me in a good way. They helped me recognize strengths I didn’t always see in myself, and taught me that growth often comes from being uncomfortable and learning to lead by example.
In 5 words or less, how would you sum up the UBCO / School of Engineering experience?
Learn, fail, adapt, grow, repeat.
What is one thing you know now that you wish you would have known in High School, in First Year, or in an earlier moment in your life? If you could give your future self one piece of advice, what would it be?
I wish I had known that no one really has it all figured out, and that’s okay. In high school and early university, I thought success meant having a clear plan and following it without mistakes. But I’ve learned that growth often comes from detours, trial and error, and sometimes just showing up when things feel uncertain.
If I could give my future self one piece of advice, it would be: don’t rush the process. Stay present, stay curious, and trust that things will fall into place if you keep moving with intention.
With six courses per semester, balancing the technical demands of your degree can be tough. How do you manage to maintain a healthy work-life balance and meet the demands of your personal life?
Honestly, it’s not always balanced, and I think that’s okay to admit. Some weeks are chaotic and things pile up, but I’ve learned to be more intentional with my time and energy. What helps me is setting boundaries where I can, leaning on people I trust, and finding small ways to recharge. Even if it’s just going for a walk, hitting the gym, or spending time with people who ground me.
I’ve also learned that being “productive” isn’t just about doing more. It’s about doing the right things and knowing when to step back. It’s still a work in progress, but I try not to tie my self-worth to how busy I am.
What advice do you have for future / current engineering students?
Don’t be afraid to figure things out as you go. You don’t need to have all the answers, you just need to stay curious, ask questions, and be willing to put yourself out there. Take the opportunities that scare you a little, whether it’s joining a team, trying research, or starting something new. That’s where the growth happens.
Also, don’t forget that engineering is a team sport. The people around you will make a huge difference, so find your circle, support each other, and don’t be afraid to lean on them when things get tough.
Don’t forget that engineering is a team sport. The people around you will make a huge difference, so find your circle, support each other, and don’t be afraid to lean on them when things get tough.
Anything else you’d like to share about your UBCO Engineering student journey?
For my last year of studies, aside from focusing on the initiatives that I am already in and giving back to my community, I will be dedicating myself to a meaningful Capstone Project. I am looking forward to working on a project that is a sustainable solution to real-world problems. I can’t give away too much on what my idea is just yet, but let’s just say, it’s something I really believe in. Stay tuned!