Meet Robyn Gordon
Robyn Gordon graduated with her Bachelor of Engineering in Structural Civil Engineering from McGill University, as well as her Masters Degree in Management of Innovation from the University of Toronto. She currently works as a Capital Projects Consultant at Deloitte. In her spare time, she likes to ski, read, travel, hike, and do yoga.
When did your love of STEM begin?
I've always loved building things and watching designs come to life. I used to like to build bridges and structural models, and do science experiments at home (there were definitely some messes/disasters, but that's how you learn!). I also liked to take the lead in projects. As I got older, I realized that Civil Engineering was something that really interested me, because I could learn how to design large-scale bridges, buildings, and other critical infrastructure. I quickly found that my favorite part of the process was watching designs come to life, and so got more involved with construction project management. My Masters degree in Management of Innovation broadened my ability to come up with new and exciting solutions to a variety of problems, and to manage projects effectively. Everything that I liked about STEM when I was younger is a big part of my job today - I just get to do it on a much larger scale!
What did you love most about study in your field of STEM?
Working with brilliant people to solve really cool problems. I work in the construction industry, and it's very rewarding to watch a project come to life. I'm constantly amazed by what we are capable of building (massive dams, skyscrapers, mines, highways, industrial plants!). There are always set-backs along the way, but coming up with innovative solutions to keep a project on-track is really exciting work.
What advice would you give to young women considering a career in STEM?
If you are interested in something, you should absolutely take the time to learn more about it! STEM is such a broad field - even within Engineering, there are several different majors that you can pursue. Understanding your own strengths and interests is really important because chances are, there is a field within STEM that is perfect for you - you just have to find it. Keep in mind that there are many different career paths that relate to STEM, and not every one is right for you. Finally, don't be worried that you won't be successful - make sure that you enjoy what you are doing, and the success will come.