Company: CN

Position: Engineer Assistant

Employed: 16 months

Degree: Bachelor of Science ÔÇô Materials Engineering

Where did you go to School? What program did you attend?
I attended the Materials Engineering program at the University of Alberta.

What drew you to your current field?
My dad was an engineer as well, and when I was growing up, we would drive around the neighbourhoodand he'd point out the bridges, buildings and various structures he had worked on. Also, in school, I had always been interested in math and science. I just had a knack for it. I think both those things had a lasting impact on me and helped shape my career choices.

How did you find your current position?
I was introduced to CNby an acquaintance of mine who was already working there as an engineer. He told me about the opening for my current position and right away I knew this opportunity would be a perfect fit for my skills and interests.

Tell us a bit about your responsibilities:
As a member of the Bridges and Structures team, I am currently responsible for organizing and facilitating culvert inspections all over Eastern Canada. Simply put, a culvert is a pipe located under the track, perpendicular to it. Its purpose is to drain water under the track, to prevent it from washing out the track.
I'm in charge or coordinating when sections of track need assessing, and then I communicate with my team of inspectors to dispatch them to the required locations. My job takes me on field trips all over Eastern Canada, to see first hand what my teammates are up to This way, I'm able to learn from them.
Once the job is completed, I review the inspection reports to make sure all the work was done according to policy.

What is the most challenging aspect of your position?
I think it's the same for many people undertaking new jobs or careers; there's just a lot to take in. Engineering is a specialized line of work, with a language, a dynamic, and processes of its own. The transition between learning at school, in a more predictable and controlled environment, and applying that knowledge to real-life situations can be as challenging as it is stimulating.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
How much there is to learn. I gain on-the-job experience every single day to help keep me moving forward. Of course, this wouldn't be possible without the help of the people I work with. Some of my colleagues have been working at CNfor over 30 years. They have a lot to teach and they do so gladly. It is so inspiring to see people like them still enthusiastic about what they do, and it makes me want to learn even more about the different skills and opportunities in my field.

What skills have you learned through your work experience?
For starters, I learned what a culvert actually is and how to inspect it! In order to do that successfully, you must also be able to apply mathematical calculations specific to the job. Working at CNhas taught me a lot about time and priority management too.

What do you think it takes to be successful in this career?
I believe that to be a successful engineer, you have to be someone who likes to get the job done. You also have to be willing to work hard and to accept input from your coworkers. And as much as engineering requires precise and calculated work, you must show some flexibility as well, and learn to roll with the punches when something doesn't happen exactly as planned.

Is there one accomplishment you are most proud of to date?
It makes me proud to think of all I've learned so far, in what seems like such a short time. This knowledge will serve me for many years to come, as my career progresses.

What are your future career aspirations?
To be honest, I'm not quite sure about that yet. I really enjoy where I am and what I'm doing right now. I've been working as an engineer for less than two years, so I've yet to master all the elements of my job. For the moment, I'm concentrating on obtaining my professional status (similar to how residents must undergo on-the-job training before they can become doctors, I must work alongside an experienced engineer for 4 years in order to obtain my own professional status).
While I'm very much open to future possibilities, I'm still undecided as to which direction I would like to take my career in. There are countless opportunities within engineering at CN, and I'm only starting to learn about some of them.

What advice do you have for students looking to land their first job?
Talk to people, put yourself out there and build your network. Forge relationships with people in your field of interest, and they may be able to help your career advancement. In addition, be mindful of applying for jobs that actually match your skill set; submitting your resume for positions you are clearly over or under-qualified for can lead to disappointment.
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