Megan Chambers
Job title and employer:
Structural Design Technologist, ISL Engineering
What does your job title mean?
A Technologist that works on structures like walls, bridges and buildings.
Background information:
Where were you born? Where did you grow up?
Kamloops, BC Canada
Where do you live now?
Burnaby, BC Canada
Where did you complete your training or education?
BSc in Physics with a Minor in Math from UCC (now TRU) and a Diploma of Civil Engineering Technology from BCIT.
What you do at work?
I work as part of a team consisting of Structural Engineers and Engineering Technologists. All projects have at least two sets of eyes to do and review the work. Computers/tablets are the most common technologies we use – computers in the office and tablets in the field. The senior Engineer delegates the work to the team. Most major design decisions are from the senior members of the team; however, all members are included as part of the discussions. The work normally consists of designing and drawing structures in the office and inspecting those structures in the field.
How does what you do affect people’s lives?
Most of the work we do is for cities or municipalities, and is used by the public. For example, if we are given a job to design a bridge, we are involved in the design and building phase. Once complete, the public is able to use the structure safely.
What motivates you in your career?
I love working with others and doing work that helps others. The people and company that I work with make a huge difference to my personal job satisfaction.
How did you get to where you are today?
In high school I knew I loved science, but I did not have a career in mind. When I graduated high school, I got a scholarship to the local university college. There I took general science and was inspired by the physics department to complete my BSc in Physics. The summer before my final year I realized I still did not a career in mind. I took a career aptitude test through my school and one of the top items was Civil Engineering Technology. It sounded interesting so I did some research. I liked what I saw so once I completed my BSc I signed up the Civil Engineering program at BCIT. I actually worked at BCIT as an instructional assistant for two years following graduation. From there I went to work at ISL Engineering, where I have been ever since!
What activities do you enjoy outside of work?
I love board games – I have several book shelves full. I enjoy being outside – walking or running. I volunteer with several group that share my love of STEAM such as ASTTBC and Girl Guides of Canada.
What advice would you give to a young person interested in a similar career?
Find someone in the career you are interested in and ask questions.
As a female professional, how can you influence the advancement of women in engineering and technology?
I am so proud to be a woman in Technology so I do what I can to help educate others what it means to be a Technologist – mostly through volunteer work. Groups like ASTTBC, Girl Guides of Canada, SkillsBC, and Science World provide lovely opportunities to share the love of STEAM.
When I was in high school, I enjoyed…
Art
History
Literature and Language Arts
Math
Home Economics
Science
Technology
Music
When I was in high school, I was someone who…
Brought People Together
Enjoyed doing things on my own
Liked helping people
Organized activities for my friends
Played on a sports team
Enjoyed working with my hands
Liked being given specific instructions
Liked being given free range to explore my ideas
Engaged in volunteer activities
Liked reading
Played video games
Was really creative
Felt great satisfaction in getting good grades
Wasn’t sure what I wanted to do
Liked to take things apart to see how they worked
Liked to design or build things
Engaged in activities such as fishing
Learned Best by Doing
ASTTBC thanks Let’s Talk Science for their partnership in developing this career profile. Let’s Talk Science – a leading partner in Canadian education – is a national charitable organization committed to inspiring and empowering Canadian youth to develop the skills they need to participate and thrive in an ever-changing world. To accomplish this, Let’s Talk Science offers a comprehensive suite of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) based programs to support youth, educators, and volunteers across Canada. For more information about Let’s Talk Science, visit letstalkscience.ca.
