JALAL G
Computer Engineering • University of Toronto
THE PROFILE
CE student at UofT. I work on the boundary between hardware and software — writing firmware, reading schematics, getting code to run on actual silicon.
Got into this through hands-on stuff. Started with Arduino projects, ended up running an RFID key fob business where I was programming physical access cards for clients. That hardware/software loop — understand the system, build something practical with it — is what pulled me toward embedded systems.
This year I did a design project for SickKids hospital — height-adjustable platform for pediatric testing. Good reminder that constraints from the real world (patient weight, clinical space, safety requirements) make for better engineering problems than anything you'll get in a lecture.
HOW I ACTUALLY THINK
- I want to see it run, not just compile cleanly
- The physical feedback loop — flash firmware, watch it work — never gets old
- Most of what I know came from breaking something and figuring out why
- I finish projects, including the boring last 20%
FOCUS AREAS
CERTIFICATIONS
EXPERIENCE LOG
Leadership & hands-on work
EXECUTIVE MEMBER
Running events and helping keep the club moving. Mostly logistics, but good practice working with a team that actually has to ship things on a deadline.
MAKERSPACE VOLUNTEER
Help students use the space — 3D printers, laser cutters, basic fabrication. Good excuse to be in the shop regularly and pick up builds from other people.
FOUNDER
Ran an RFID key fob programming business. Clients sent access cards, I cloned and reprogrammed them using 125kHz and 13.56MHz hardware. Handled the full loop: hardware, customer ops, payments via Stripe.
LOOKING AHEAD
Goals & interests
WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR
- Internship in embedded systems, firmware, or hardware engineering — Summer 2027 is the target
- A team where I can actually write code that runs on real hardware, not just mockups
- Small team or startup environment works well for me — I move fast and I don't need a lot of hand-holding
LONGER TERM
- Medtech: The SickKids project this year made it click — engineering problems with real stakes are more interesting
- IoT / connected hardware: Devices that need both solid firmware and network awareness
- Eventually: build something of my own, probably in the hardware space
