insights Building leadership and engineering skills through hands-on experience at AtkinsRéalis

Allô, my name is Karolane. I work at AtkinsRéalis in Quebec as a technician and civil engineer. My engineering journey began in 2013 with a technical course in civil engineering, which I followed up with a bachelor's degree in engineering. I landed my first AtkinsRéalis internship with the Urban Infrastructure team. It was such a rewarding experience that I decided to continue working part-time while still in school. I did two more internships, which helped me build my skills and feel even more connected to the team.

My internships helped me realize that leading projects is what truly interested me. I particularly enjoy the organizational aspect, coordinating between teams, and the satisfaction of seeing a project come to life. This passion led me to pursue an MBA in 2021, strengthening my management and leadership skills to better support teams and lead more ambitious projects!

Working at AtkinsRéalis, you're constantly surrounded by inspiring projects. One that marked my career is the Promenade Samuel-De Champlain, Phase 3 in Québec City. This major urban redevelopment project aims to transform the St. Lawrence River waterfront into vibrant community spaces. I contributed to the design of the promenade and later supervised the construction site for two years. This experience allowed me to explore every facet of the engineering profession, sharpen my expertise, and make a meaningful contribution to our local communities.

I've been co-leading the #YAI (Youth Advisors Initiative) employee resource group since early 2023. The #YAI is a pan-Canadian committee of young professionals established with the support of our President, Ian L. Edwards. This initiative aims to boost corporate culture, improve working conditions, enrich social life, and celebrate our pride in working at AtkinsRéalis. This mission is very important to me, and I'm delighted to be able to contribute to it.

I'm determined to keep learning, developing my skills, and seize every opportunity every day. The #YAI has been instrumental in this, whether through Lunch & Learns or expanding my network through various activities. I see my future at AtkinsRéalis as an ongoing adventure, with continuous learning and collaboration at the heart of my journey.

I've always believed in the value of sharing knowledge, whether with peers or managers. That belief motivated me to step up for the Canada-wide #SkillsSwappingChallenge at AtkinsRéalis. This challenge aimed to promote excellence through the exchange of skills with colleagues, fostering a culture of learning and collaboration within the company. Learning is a continuous process at AtkinsRéalis, and every day offers a chance to pick up something new, whether a small tip or a complex skill.

I was thrilled to win 2nd place because it highlights how much I've gained through learning and collaborating with my colleagues! The challenge reminded me that horizontal exchanges between peers can be just as beneficial as conversations with mentors. Every person we work with has something to contribute, and every interaction is essential to improving our practices and broadening our perspectives.

How would you like to join a team where you're supported to explore your interests, with unlimited opportunities, training, and mentorship? Browse our early career opportunities today.