Can you describe your experience with SSEP:
“I was very excited to have this opportunity. Coming from a smaller community, Marystown, it was exciting and scary to move to the big city of St. John’s for basically the entire summer. I got to know a little bit more about the field of engineering under a professor of engineering this summer, so it was great to gain experience in the field and get some exposure to the university and the campus layout as well. As someone who was potentially going to Memorial University in the following year, it was great to get some familiarity with the campus and everything. It was an exceptional experience.”

Description of current professional role:
“As the Deputy City Manager of Public Works in St. John’s, I lead a team that’s responsible for keeping our city running smoothly. Our department covers a wide range of areas, including sustainability, roads, water and wastewater treatment, and infrastructure. We’re also in charge of essential services like garbage collection, recycling, and yard waste management. And, we maintain all city-owned buildings, like City Hall, community centers, and swimming pools as well as oversee all the fleets, vehicles and equipments, that are purchased by the city. Our team also looks after our parks and playgrounds, making sure they’re safe and enjoyable for everyone, and that’s the gist of it. Our goal is to keep the city running smoothly and provide essential services to our residents.”

What led you to this career?
“I was very young, I can remember being in grade six, and we had a career day in our class and everyone had to get up and say what they would like to be when they grew up. And even at that age, I got up and said I’m going to be an engineer. I had set my mind on being a engineer, leaning more towards the environmental side. In addition, I had thought about marine biology as well. But when I got into senior high, I was always very good at math and physics and chemistry, I really loved those subjects and Engineering seemed like a good career.”

How did your experience in SSEP help you in the course of your career.
“It was a great experience to gain exposure. I already had my heart set on becoming an engineer. As part of the application, I wrote an essay, and one of the jobs that caught my attention was helping entangled whales. I focused on that, but also found the engineering options interesting, particularly testing the strength of concrete by putting it through freeze and thaw cycles. In retrospect, it was an invaluable experience, providing practical and typical engineering work, and showing the unique environmental conditions in Newfoundland. It was exciting to get to know other females, because coming from a smaller community, there were only a few grade 11 students interested in engineering or the sciences. Sometimes you can feel a little isolated, because you’re not fitting in with everybody else. So, it was refreshing to have that exposure to other female grade 11 students who shared the same interests as me.”

What hobbies or activities outside of work do you enjoy?
“I’m a big reader and make it a point to read every day. In addition to my love for reading, I’m a certified fitness instructor for Goodlife, something I’ve been engaged in for 23 years, since graduating from university. I’m physically active and enjoy mountain biking and other outdoor activities. My career as an engineer has provided me with numerous opportunities to participate in committees and councils, often requiring me to attend meetings. Overall, I consider myself to be quite active and engaged.”

What small actions do you think this generation could take to contribute to the development of this city.
“Today in Public Works, we focus on environmental sustainability. We always have conversations about reducing greenhouse gas emissions. I read a book by a local author called ‘Message in a Bottle’ about plastics in the ocean. We can make a big impact by reducing the number of products we purchase and properly disposing of waste. At the city level, we’re converting many of our heating options to heat pumps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We’re working to upgrade facilities to achieve further reductions. Every small action counts, and collective efforts can lead to significant positive change.”

What advice would you like to share with women who are considering a career in science or engineering?
“I think that getting into science or engineering is a solid choice. It gives you a solid base that provides a wide range of opportunities when you graduate. It’s a great stepping stone if you want to do something else. I have friends and colleagues who have done engineering and then gone on to do medicine or teaching – it’s a really good foundation. I did follow up with a degree in Environmental Applied Science, and it looks great on your resume. It gives you more credibility. For anyone trying to decide on a university program, I think engineering is the best option out there. It’s a great fit for your skill set.”

Any other thoughts you would like to share.
“One of the things that i would like to mention is that while I was doing engineering, there were a couple of early terms that I didn’t really enjoy. But once I got past the first year, the course slowed down and became more interesting to me. Everyone has their likes and dislikes, and just because you don’t like a couple of courses, it’s not a window into disliking the whole degree. You have to look at the end goal and take things piece by piece along the way. However, it’s important that you find a career that you would find enjoyable at the end of the day.”