3938 APEG Mar.Apr Edit.indd - APEGBC

f eatures
22 MARCH/APRIL 2008 INNOVATION
be given training opportunities in diff erent areas for
maximized job satisfaction.” He also affi rms the value
of mentoring: “Mentoring defi nitely benefi ts young professionals
in exploring their career paths with valuable
advice from more senior professionals.”
Mentoring Relationships
Employers that foster workplace mentoring between
older professionals and their young counterparts are
providing support that encourages employee success.
Th e guidance provided by senior practitioners can be
of enormous benefi t to younger engineers and geoscientists.
James Canova PEng is a mentor with APEGBC’s
mentoring program and has seen the industry and the
workplace change since he started his career 22 years
ago. “When I started, drawings were still done with
paper and pencil, and communication was by phone
and Telex,” he says. “Computers, internet, e-mail, and
fax have made access to technical resources and people
so easy.” He notes that the workplace itself has become
more casual, and project teams and suppliers are now
geographically separated by longer distances.
He says that common questions from members-intraining
are “Should I get a post-graduate degree?” or
Ups or Downs
You’re always in our plans.
Professionals working in primary resource/
heavy industrial sectors are well acquainted
with economic cycles.
At Fransen, we operate strategically to ensure
continuity for our team and for our clients as
we provide the multi-discipline engineering
services they require to maintain and upgrade
their operations.
Further, our focus on right-sized jobs
creates a challenging and satisfying work
environment, as our team members can
count on hands-on involvement that has a
direct impact on each and every project.
Visit our website for detailed information
regarding the various opportunities that are
available in each of our offi ces, including the
following senior positions:
Project Managers
Mechanical Engineers
Electrical Engineers
Structural Engineers
If you would like to be part of a team
that thinks long term about you, go to
www.fransenengineering.com
Vancouver Prince George Calgary
“Th ings are turbulent at work; what should I do?” Canova
believes that a supportive attitude from older professionals
can help a younger colleague to fi nd and trust in their own
ability to come up with solutions; “If the younger engineer
feels that someone has genuine concern for their wellbeing,
then that goes a long way to helping the younger
engineer with thinking through any issue that arises.”
His advice to younger members: “Develop the ability
to infl uence and see others’ points of view. Speak to as
many people as possible at your workplace or in your
fi eld of work.”
Fellow mentor Glen Parker PEng has been a practicing
engineer for roughly 25 years. He says that typical
questions that younger members have are usually
related to their career direction. “Challenges focus
around career path selection. Are they on the right track
for a successful career? Is what they are learning going
to be valuable? How do they decide which of the options
available to pursue?”
He observes that today’s engineering and geoscience
graduates have a broader range of skills compared to
graduates of 30 years ago. He also notes that they are in
a hurry, and that older, more experienced professionals
can impart to young engineers and geoscientists the need
for quality in all things, both technical and
personal. “Talking to them about the value
of relationships and helping develop these
skills can be of tremendous value.” He also
emphasizes that senior practitioners can
help younger co-workers learn the importance
of integrity when representing the
level of knowledge they have and learning
when to ask for assistance when needed.
Parker’s advice to young engineers
and geoscientists: “Take the time to
strategically think about your career.
Success is built with both good effort
and good strategy.” v
RESOURCES
APEGBC’s Mentoring Program helps
members-in-training to obtain the advice,
counselling and assistance required to allow
them to achieve professional status.
www.apeg.bc.ca/services/mentoring.html
Branch events present good opportunities
for networking. Watch for
e-mails from your local branch, or visit
branch websites for the latest events.
www.apeg.bc.ca/services/branches
divisions.html#branches
APEGBC Divisions can be a good place to
network with others in your engineering or
geoscience discipline, or to go for professional
development resources.
www.apeg.bc.ca/services/branches
divisions.html#divisions