My Stantec Story: From initial ideas to project delivery with Carmen Von Einem
December 07, 2023
Carmen, a process engineer in our Water team, shares what she enjoys most about working at Stantec
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In the My Stantec Story series, our designers, engineers, marketers, project managers, and leaders come together to share how their career journeys at Stantec have shaped their lives and moved them closer to their goals.
Tell us about your role…
I’m a chartered process engineer and I’ve been working on wastewater treatment projects since joining Stantec at the beginning of 2021. Based in the Exeter office, I’ve been part of several multidisciplinary project teams working on exciting new designs, strategic evaluations, and innovative optimisations of wastewater treatment processes for a variety of clients in the water sector across the United Kingdom, as well as locally here in the South West.
What attracted you to a career at Stantec?
I joined Stantec because of their commitment to sustainability and innovation. Their dedication to creating impactful, sustainable solutions in the water industry offers me a platform to make a genuine difference in the world.
Having worked with Stantec closely before joining, I was especially impressed with the culture of collaboration and teamwork. I recognised the emphasis on collective problem-solving and the supportive environment that encourages creativity where ideas thrive and innovation flourishes. Here, I have plenty of opportunities to work on complex projects and collaborate with experts from various fields. The flexible working arrangements Stantec offered me have helped me achieve a good work-life balance.
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What do you enjoy most about your role?
I enjoy working on a variety of projects with incredibly intelligent and likeminded people from diverse backgrounds, all with a passion for wastewater and engineering. No day or project is the same. It’s exciting to be part of the journey from the team’s initial ideas to project delivery, while always keeping our clients, sustainability, and the environment in mind.
How has your personal and professional development been supported at Stantec?
Stantec has a culture of knowledge-sharing which makes it easy to gain new knowledge and skills while working on projects. The Company has also provided me with targeted opportunities, support, and training to enhance my expertise and leadership skills. For example, I was able to gain knowledge by using wastewater modelling software for one of my projects. I’ve also been given the opportunity to work on clean water, despite only having experience in wastewater up to now. Passing on my knowledge and mentoring other engineers has enhanced my leadership abilities.
What has been the standout project for you during your time at Stantec?
One of the many projects I enjoyed delivering was an options appraisal for Poole Water Recycling Centre to assess different wastewater processes to reduce the nutrient contribution to Holes Bay. Stantec was asked to identify suitable treatment technologies that could be constructed on the limited space available on site, which made the project very complex and challenging. I worked with a multidisciplinary team and technical experts to develop options involving new and innovative technologies that could fit onto the site within the tight space constraints. I conducted a whole-life cost assessment across the different options and highlighted risks as well as opportunities for each option. As a team, we developed preliminary layouts to visualize how the options could be built on site.
Stantec's dedication to creating impactful, sustainable solutions in the water industry offers me a platform to make a genuine difference in the world.
What are your ambitions for the future at Stantec?
I plan to continue my journey with Stantec and become the best process engineer I can possibly be. I’ll work to deliver excellent outstanding projects, while having fun making a difference in the water sector. I aspire to never having a day at work without a bit of a banter and a laugh with my colleagues.
What are your passions outside of work?
Outside of work, I like juggling, family life, DIY projects, and my hobbies. I enjoy hand balancing, gymnastics, and running. I also like hiking and exploring all the little beaches and beauty spots the South West has to offer, including the breathtaking views in Dartmoor.
Why should others join the Stantec team?
Stantec is a great place to work, no matter what your background or ambitions are. It’s a place where differences and diversity are celebrated, for example, through our employee resource groups such as Women@Stantec, Pride@Stantec, and Neurodiversity@Stantec. Stantec encourage employees to be themselves at work while providing the best support, environment, and opportunities for everyone to achieve their goals.
At Stantec, we put people first, and for Carmen, that means opportunities to work on a range of projects with a fun and supportive team. If you want to join Stantec, visit our Careers page to find out more.