EWB alumni: Making a difference at work, finding connections to EWB

For Juan Anderson, a former EWB chapter president, developing and implementing solutions that will "improve people's lives is what engineering is all about." He along with Heather Davidson, both EWB alumni, realize that engineers can make important contributions to society.

Heather Davidson while on placement in East Timor in 2003

Heather and Juan work for M.K. Ince, a small wind energy and environmental engineering firm in southern Ontario. For both, applying their engineering skills and knowledge in a socially conscious way is important, and the renewable energy industry has allowed them to do just that.

Heather, the first P.Eng. to volunteer overseas with EWB, had quit her job in 2002 and was seeking something more fulfilling when she saw a volunteer posting for EWB. She was hooked. Within six months of attending the 2003 national conference she left for East Timor to work on a community based natural resource management project. Her work focused on a community reforestation project aimed at reducing climate change while improving livelihoods of community members. She quickly learned that in order to make a meaningful contribution, be it in development work or elsewhere, it is important to fully understand the needs of the populace and the desired outcome.

Juan was also encouraged by the prospect of using his engineering training to improve people's lives and joined the Carleton EWB chapter in 2002. Inspired by the 2003 national conference, he became president of the Carleton chapter for the 2003-2004 year. Working with the chapter he quickly found that engineers are a very focused, driven and humble group capable of achieving great results.

Juan Anderson with his year-old daughter Haeli

Heather and Juan realize that engineers have an important social role that is often overlooked. At M.K. Ince, Heather is an environmental engineering consultant focused on hydrology and wind energy. Like in East Timor, she continues to work with communities, only in this instance she assesses their energy needs and helps them to better understand wind energy.

Juan, a wind energy consultant, spends his days assessing the noise and visual impacts of turbines and consults the public about energy options. For him, it is the ideal job.

Although they are both unable to volunteer abroad right now, both Juan and Heather remain connected to EWB here in Canada. Juan believes that he has an important contribution to make by becoming involved in EWB's public outreach initiatives. It is important that "Canadians understand the choices they make at home and the ways that they affect people throughout the world."

Juan and Heather, like many EWB members have realized that as engineers they have many career choices. Volunteering overseas is not the only way that engineers can make a difference.