Early Education and Challenges in Lebanon
My journey began at Notre-Dame-de-Jamhour School in Lebanon, where I completed my secondary education with a French baccalaureate, concentrating in mathematics. With dreams of becoming an architect, I applied to an architecture program in Montreal. However, in 2005, war and political turmoil in Lebanon disrupted my plans, forcing me to stay and enroll in a bachelor’s program in mathematics.
During this time, I learned that I had been accepted into the architecture program at the University of Montreal. As soon as the airport reopened, I took the opportunity to travel to Canada and pursue my studies.
Transitioning from Architecture to Engineering
In 2010, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in architecture. However, I found that the program and my first internship did not resonate with me as much as I had hoped. This realization led me to pursue a master’s degree in building engineering, a field that perfectly combines architecture and engineering.
During my master’s program, I joined a co-op program with IRC Group as a project coordinator in the roofing industry. This experience was transformative. I inspected roofs, wrote reports, managed construction sites for roofing repairs and replacements, and prepared plans and specifications. In 2011, I graduated with my master’s degree and continued working at IRC Group.
Discovering My Passion at GHD
By the end of 2012, I joined GHD as a project coordinator in the building envelope sector, under the guidance of two amazing engineer supervisors. At GHD, I discovered my love for materials, building enclosures, and construction details. My role involved facade inspections, operating lifts and swing stages, conducting parking inspections, preparing drawings, writing reports and proposals, estimating costs, and making recommendations.
I coordinated with clients and contractors, finding immense satisfaction in my work. After three years of equivalence exams with the Order of Engineers of Quebec and two years of mentorship, I finally obtained my engineering permit. During my time at GHD, I actively participated in several committees, including Women in Engineering, Young Professionals, and Health and Safety.
Seeking Growth and New Opportunities
Despite my involvement and dedication, I felt stagnant. My salary remained low, promises of promotions were unfulfilled, and I felt overly dependent on my supervisors, struggling to make technical decisions independently.
In 2020, amidst the pandemic and following the birth of my first son, I decided it was time for a change. After much contemplation, I joined Superteck in 2021 as a project manager. After a year, I was promoted to director in engineering, leading a team and managing dozens of projects simultaneously.
Embracing Independence and Looking Forward
At Superteck, I found the independence and challenges I had been seeking. As the only engineer in the company, I faced numerous technical challenges head-on, finding solutions independently. I love my team, the flexibility of my job, and the variety of projects I oversee.
For now, I am happy and fulfilled. However, balancing work and family is a constant challenge. I worry about missing precious moments with my children and sometimes feel burned out. The future remains uncertain, and I often contemplate reducing my working hours, working independently, or even becoming a stay-at-home mom. Only time will tell, and I trust that God will guide me.
