Meet Melissa MacGregor
Melissa visits one of her mid-rise developments that was designed as a cutting edge total precast structure.
Melissa MacGregor graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering Science degree in Civil-Structural from the University of Western Ontario in 2009. She currently works as a Director of Development & Construction at Reid’s Heritage Properties. In her spare time, Melissa likes being with her husband and 3 sons, snowboarding, singing, serving the community, playing board games, biking, hiking, camping - truly anything to do with being outside.
When did your love of STEM begin?
When I was in grade 10 my guidance counselor noticed my passion for math and the sciences and encouraged me to attend a "Women in Engineering" weekend at the University of Guelph that changed my life. I was in awe of these vibrant, intelligent women, full of excitement and joy for subjects that I naturally gravitated to. I instantly noticed the strong community they had built to support one another and was inspired to strive to follow in their brave footsteps. With a heart for people, I also discovered that engineering was a career path that would allow me to serve both my local and global communities.
What is the best part about working in the field of STEM?
Working in the STEM field has opened so many doors for me that I did not even anticipate. It is so broad that every industry has a need for it and every country in the world could always use more of it! Working in this field has allowed me to easily find work no matter what city we are in and has also provided opportunities to work overseas. Being able to share my knowledge and serve on water projects in rural Uganda with an organization called ACTS was the highlight of my early career. Then to return to Canada and see how my role working with a developer not only impacted the skyline of a city, but the people that called it home, was just incredible.
What advice would you give young women interested in a career in STEM?
Be courageous. Always view yourself as the position/title you are in, not specifically as a woman in that role. By doing so, you have already determined that gender is negligent to whether someone can be successful at it, which is a good mindset to have. Do not under sell your intelligence and abilities, but believe that you are just as qualified and capable. Embrace opportunities that stretch you and partner with mentors that challenge you. And finally, know that having a successful career does not mean you have to give up your dreams of having a family, at any age or stage. I was blessed to have children at 25, taking the full year of maternity leave with all three of my boys, and I have still achieved many of my career goals, including becoming a Director at the age of 34. The support from an incredible husband and the determination to work for an organization that valued me as both a worker and person has led me to where I am today.