April 22, 2021
Meet Leanne Whiteley-Lagace, Pavement Management Engineer at Stantec!
What was your favourite co-op placement?
My favourite co-op was working for the Greater Toronto Airports Authority at Pearson International Airport. I worked in the Project Services department for two terms and assisted Project Managers in delivering/executing projects around the airport, preparing contract documents, and evaluating proposals.
How did you pick your career path?
I stumbled into my career. Towards the end of my undergrad, I was seriously considering graduate school. An opportunity presented itself, where I was able to partner again with the Toronto airport to conduct a research project and earned my Master’s degree with research in airport pavement design. About a year after I finished my undergrad, I was working for an environmental consulting firm and another opportunity presented itself. Stantec was looking to hire a pavement engineer-in-training for their Infrastructure Management and Pavement Engineering group. I wasn't really looking for another job, but I took the interview because my academic supervisor had recommended me for the position. While I was in Waterloo picking up my wedding cake, I spent my drive home trying to think how I was going to tell my soon-to-be-husband that I was accepting an out-of-town job. I am currently a Senior Pavement Management Engineer with Stantec.
How do you stay involved as an alumni?
I follow UW/Engineering on social media. I have attended a few alumni events. I helped organize the EngSoc Alumni Reunion and have also brought my cousins and nieces to GoEngGirl events.
What advice would you give your first-year self?
Just DO it! There is more to university than just classes. Don't get me wrong, it's REALLY important to work hard! But it's also important to have fun too. The networking opportunities and soft skills that I gained through my extra-curricular activities have proven to be just as important as the technical skills I learned in class.