In May 2025, Vantage One Engineering Alumni, Mehmet Berke Karadayi, graduated from UBC with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering. Mehmet shares with us how his academic career began with Vantage One, where his studies led during his time at UBC, and how he is now pursuing a career in his field:
"It honestly feels surreal to be graduating now, after five meaningful years at UBC. I still remember arriving in Vancouver for the first time with just two suitcases in hand after a 10-hour flight. Everything was new, and I didn’t really know what to expect - but I knew I was already ready to challenge myself and grow.
Coming to UBC from Turkey was a big step in my journey. I had to adapt to a new culture, make new friends, and figure out how everything worked. Vantage made that transition so much easier. It gave me the space to find my footing, ask questions, and start building my confidence - not just in academics, but in life.
As the years went on, I leaned into my interest in tech and programming. I joined hackathons, worked on personal software projects, and completed several co-op terms that had a huge impact on me - thanks to the UBC Applied Science Co-op Program. Those co-ops gave me the chance to gain hands-on industry experience, solve real problems, and figure out what kind of engineer I wanted to become when I graduated.
Now, as I graduate from Electrical Engineering and get ready to start my career as a Software Engineer at Coinbase, I just want to say thank you - to my family, my friends, and of course, to UBC. Vantage was where this journey truly began, and I’ll always be grateful for the support, community, and opportunities it gave me."
