What was your background before joining Stroud?

I joined Stroud in the fall of 2021, following my undergraduate degree in Engineering Physics at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. Before joining Stroud, I worked primarily in the space industry, designing and testing robotic equipment launched on satellites built by NASA and the CSA.

What is a typical day for a Senior Associate?

I start my day by getting breakfast and coffee with my manager/teammates before heading to site. We usually review our goals and tasks for the day before going out to the plant floor to start the work day. As a senior associate, I’m usually responsible for leading an improvement team - a group of clients and/or Stroudies dedicated to tackling an issue or goal for the plant. This can manifest in many different ways depending on the project. On manufacturing sites this can range from improving the output of a line, to fixing an “impossible” problem on one of their machines, to training and coaching plant staff on an improved process or structure. On capital projects sites, the work can range from leading project teams through schedule or cost improvement initiatives, to realizing these improvements to drive actual changes.

After the work day I try to balance my time between going to the gym or fitness class in the city we’re staying in, getting dinner with teammates on site, and exploring new fun places around the area. In the evenings, I might finish up some site work at the hotel, read a bit, or watch a show to wind down. Sometimes projects can be fully or partially remote, which lets me wind down at home instead!

In what ways have you developed professionally since joining?

I’ve gained a ton of technical skill and knowledge through the induction process and projects, but I think where Stroud has helped me develop most is in my leadership and communication skills.

After being with the company for a year and a half I’ve been able to:

• Lead teams of manager level clients at manufacturing plants to develop process improvements

• Lead capital project teams developing projects valued at $100M+ through cost reduction initiatives

• Present-out to senior level management the progress that my teams have made

It’s very hard to learn how to use these skills effectively in a classroom or module setting. I feel like I’ve been able to advance these skills much quicker than most workplaces through the high amount of responsibility and leadership opportunities I’ve had early in my career at Stroud.

What have been your favourite moments on the job so far?

I think most Stroudies would agree that one of the best parts about working here is the people. Being able to meet and form close friendships with people even from other offices on projects and during training events has been a highlight for me. Some favourite moments include: visiting Miami after a Stroud work event, seeing live concerts with coworkers down the street from our site hotel, and trying (and failing) to start a band at the Calgary office.