Meet Vanessa Marshall
Vanessa taking part in a garden clean up with her Rotary club.
Vanessa graduated with a Master of Geotechnical Engineering (M.Eng.), at University of Wisconsin in 2010, and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Mining Engineering, Queen’s University, in 2003. She currently works at National Practice Leader - Geotechnical Services, Pinchin Ltd. In her spare time, Vanessa is the President of the Rotary Club of Kitchener Grand River, she is a volunteer with Camp 15, Waterloo, the organization that hands out Iron Rings to newly graduated engineering students
Executive Member of the Canadian Geotechnical Society – Southern Ontario Section. And outside of that she enjoys cooking, camping with her husband and three children, and watching Blue Jays baseball.
When did your love of STEM begin?
For me it wasn’t just one incident that sparked my love for science and math, but both of my parents. My parents were both in math related industries, and math problems were a regular part of everyday, whether it was for measuring or for telling time, my younger sister and I were always challenged to think in different ways. Additionally, my father was also interested in anything related to math and science advancements, and whenever he would read an interesting article in a newspaper about a new technology or change in technology, he would cut the article out and leave it for me to read. We would then discuss the article and research anything that I may not have understood, further expanding my interest in math and science. My father passed down this trait to me, where I continue to challenge my children to be curious about the world and all that is around.
What is the best part about working in the field of STEM?
Every day is different! As a geotechnical engineer, the work that I am engaged in could be in the office or on construction site; I am constantly challenged to think in different ways. Geotechnical engineering is typically one of the first engineering disciplines involved in a project, and so it is very exciting when, for example an affordable housing project, that I worked on is fully constructed and I can drive by and know that I was involved in something great.
I also find that having a STEM background has allowed me to flourish in the volunteer organizations that I am involved with. Completing a degree in engineering, sets a person up for success in engineering, but one will also leave university with several, what I call “hidden powers”. One of those “powers” is the ability to learn. It has allowed me to ask questions, look for explanations and better assist the not-for-profits.
What advice would you give young women interested in a career in STEM?
There are three pieces of advice that I would give to young women interested in STEM careers:
- Be curious! A career in STEM can lead to so many other careers and opportunities that you may not even know exist.
- Find many mentors and listen openly. It doesn’t have to be a direct mentor/mentee relationship, but people who are passionate about their field in STEM will love to share their knowledge and want to share it. This could lead to opening doors for other opportunities or areas of STEM that could be of interest.
- Surround yourself with other strong females. I had a group of great friends from high school and university that I could lean on during the early part of my career. I have continued to add to my circle of strong females as my career advances and know that I am able to lift them up if needed and they can do the same for me.