How did you know you were passionate about marine structures and civil engineering? As well, what got you into the field of engineering originally?

To be honest, I didn’t always know that engineering was my thing. I was always really good at math and physics, but I wasn’t sure what career path to take. When I moved to Canada at 17 and attended an international college in Vancouver, I realized that my math skills were quite strong compared to my peers. That gave me the confidence to apply to UBC, and I got in.

I chose civil engineering because I liked the idea of one day being able to walk past a structure and say, I was part of the team that designed and built this. I thought that would be pretty cool. Also, to be completely honest, I picked engineering partly because it didn’t require a high level of English proficiency compared to some other fields, so I figured it would be an easier subject for me at the time.

After graduating, I started working in construction, but I wanted to try something different, so I moved into design and coastal engineering. While working in coastal engineering, I realized that we collaborated closely with the marine structural team. Seeing the kind of projects they were involved in and the level of design work they did, I knew I wanted to be more involved in that side of things. That’s when I transitioned into marine structural engineering, and I found it to be such a fascinating field—it offers so much variety, and working with water, tides, and environmental challenges keeps things exciting. Looking back, I’m really happy with the path I chose!

Is your path similar or different to your undergraduate peers?

I’d say my path is quite different from most of my undergraduate peers. Not many of them went into marine structural engineering because it’s a more specialized field within civil engineering. A lot of people tend to go into more general areas like buildings, transportation, or land development, whereas marine structures require a focus on working with water, coastal environments, and unique loading conditions. It’s a bit more niche, but that’s part of what makes it interesting to me!

How would you describe a regular day? 

A regular day as a marine structural engineer can vary a lot, which is one of the things I enjoy about it. One interesting challenge in this field is that there isn’t a single code we follow—every project is different, so we have to pull from various codes, past experience, and regional requirements to determine the best design criteria. The uniqueness of each design keeps things dynamic.

Project management is also a big part of the job, and I find that aspect pretty cool. For certain projects, we start by preparing for a kickoff meeting with the client, where we go over timelines, expectations, and potential challenges to make sure we’re all on the same page and there are no surprises down the road. Then, step by step, we begin the design process—working closely with our drafters, reviewing calculations, and making adjustments as needed.

Some days are spent analyzing structures and running calculations, while others involve reviewing drawings, coordinating with different teams, or addressing questions from contractors. There’s also a lot of collaboration with environmental specialists and project managers to ensure the designs align with site conditions and regulations. And when the opportunity comes up, site visits are always a great change of pace from office work!

What were your experiences working on design teams, and would you recommend them?

I love working on design teams! It’s a great environment for learning, collaborating, and solving complex problems together. Everyone brings different expertise to the table, so you’re constantly exposed to new ideas and perspectives.

That being said, whether or not a design team is the right fit depends on your goals. Personally, I know that one day I’d love to manage a team, and to do that effectively, my technical skills need to be very strong. That’s why I focus on continuously improving my understanding of design—it’s important to have a thorough grasp of the technical side before stepping into a leadership role.

Overall, if you’re someone who enjoys problem-solving and working with others, I’d definitely recommend being part of a design team. It’s a great way to build experience and develop both technical and communication skills.

Is there anything you did in particular in high school to get to the position where you are? If not, is there anything you did in university?

I didn’t do anything in particular in high school to prepare for this career, but in university, I pursued a master’s degree in project management at UBC, which I think might have helped with my first job.

That being said, I believe getting this position was more about building connections and not being afraid to do things differently. Instead of applying through the usual channels, I took a direct approach—I emailed the president of the company and asked if they’d be open to having a coffee with me. I didn’t ask for a job or any specific position; I just wanted to have a conversation. The president didn’t have time but forwarded my email to their vice presidents, and that caught their interest. They invited me to a lunch meeting, which gave them a chance to get to know me outside of a formal interview setting. I think that made a big difference in how they saw my potential.

So, while education is important, I’d say making connections and taking initiative played a huge role in getting to where I am today.

What was your experience like as a woman in the engineering field?

I don’t take things personally, and I try to differentiate between facts and opinions. In this field, your level of work and the value you bring to the table speak louder than anything else. Of course, there have been instances where I’ve felt discriminated against, but I’ve always chosen not to let it bother me. I know who I am, and if someone has a different opinion about women working in this field, that’s their opinion—it’s not a fact.

I’ve always kept showing up, not for anyone else, but for myself. I know I’m capable, and in time, others saw that too. In our structural team, I’m continually amazed at how incredible everyone is, regardless of gender. I think a big part of this comes down to the leadership of your direct manager. They have a huge role in making sure that everyone feels aligned, valued, and seen as an important member of the team, no matter their gender. Each individual has unique strengths and weaknesses, and it’s about fostering an environment where everyone’s contributions are respected.

What would you say are the pros and cons of going into industry right away versus getting a masters degree?

I think working in the industry for a couple of years before pursuing a master’s degree can be a great approach. By doing so, you get the opportunity to explore different areas of engineering and figure out which discipline you truly enjoy. The hands-on experience you gain early on can help you make a more informed decision about what you want to specialize in when you eventually go back to school.

In my case, my journey was a bit different. I decided to pursue my master’s degree right away because I wanted to stay in Canada permanently (as having an advanced degree made me more competitive in that process). Having a master’s degree in engineering also gave me more negotiation power when I was applying for jobs. I felt it set me apart from other candidates and helped me secure roles that I might not have had access to otherwise.

That said, I think there’s value in both paths. Gaining work experience before pursuing further education can help you pinpoint what you’re passionate about, while going straight into a master’s degree can give you more technical depth and improve your career prospects.

Any advice you would give to a high schooler hoping to pursue a similar path?

Engineering is a broad field, and it’s okay not to know exactly what you want to do right away. Focus on building strong skills in math and physics, but also be open to discovering what you enjoy through work experiences or networking. Don’t be afraid to take initiative. Most importantly, remember, you won’t always feel motivated to wake up early or stay up late to study/work out—that takes discipline, not motivation. Discipline is what will keep you going even when you’re not feeling inspired. When you start seeing the results of your hard work, that’s when motivation kicks in and pushes you forward. And then, you’ll need the discipline again to keep the cycle going.