Emily Kavanagh

Structural Engineer, WoodGroup PSN

Emily, a recent graduate of civil engineering from Memorial University in St. John’s, NL, is a structural engineer in the local offshore oil and gas industry. She works currently on the site team for a major maintenance turnaround project. As a junior in the industry, she is eager to learn and explore new opportunities.

We asked Emily:

The OGM: What does sustainability mean to you?

Emily: Sustainability to me means finding the best solution to have a minimal impact on existing conditions as well as aiming to achieve longevity.

The OGM:Have you had a mentor?

Emily: No specific mentor, but I have had many people who helped and motivated me to expand my experience and knowledge.

The OGM:What does success mean to you?

Emily: Success to me means doing the best job you possibly can as a team or individual, starting with 100 percent and finishing with 0 percent.

The OGM: If you were to describe your career in three words what would they be?

Emily: Fast-paced, diverse, exciting.

The OGM: What advice would you give to someone looking for a career in the Energy Industry?

Emily: Do your research, talk to as many people as you can in the industry to help understand how the industry operates and the various disciplines that help it progress.

The OGM: Describe a milestone in your career?

Emily: I am currently working on the construction site team for the Terra Nova FPSO Integrated Swivel Turnaround. The vessel will be quayside for approximately two and a half months. This has been a great opportunity to work on a major project and gain exposure to the construction and operation aspects of the industry.

The OGM: Describe a challenge you faced in your career?

Emily: One of the challenges I have faced so far as a junior is having the confidence to prove myself as a professional in the industry.

The OGM: What impact does Technology have on your career?

Emily: Technology is an integral part of today’s industry, and I think the biggest impact it has on my career is with communication and access to information.

The OGM: What do the next 5 years look like in your career?

Emily: Hopefully very busy, there are multiple upcoming projects in our province. It is a great time to be a junior in the local industry.

The OGM: Were you always interested in a career in Energy?

Emily: No, I was the opposite, very uninterested in a career in the energy industry until I completed a subsea work term overseas halfway through university. Until that point, I was completely unfamiliar with the industry and unaware of the opportunities available for civil engineers within the industry. Following that work term, I explored other opportunities in the energy industry, as well as others, and settled on the energy industry at the end of university.

The OGM: What interests you to sustain a career in the Energy industry?

Emily: It’s diversity. There are so many disciplines and trades working simultaneously to support each other. As well, every project is so different from the previous, which provides great experience.

The OGM: Do you have a role model you look up to?

Emily: No specific role models, however, I do have many co-workers and friends that inspire me to succeed.

The OGM: What does Energy mean to you?

Emily: Energy is a source of ambition; it provides the driving force to reach achievement. My second thought on energy is that I am high energy, and I like to have high-energy people around me.

The OGM: What is your favorite APP on your phone?

Emily: Nike Training Club, a circuit-based fitness app.

The OGM: What impact will the Millennial Generation have on the Energy industry?

Emily: The millennial generation will help further integrate new technologies into the industry. They are in touch with the evolution of technology and will be an important factor in the progress of the industry.

The OGM: What’s your take on Social Media and our ever changing digital world?

Emily: Social media seems to impact every aspect of our daily lives now, but I think the biggest impact is the quick ability to communicate and spread information globally.

The OGM: What Social Medium do you use on a daily basis?

Emily: I use Facebook to keep in touch with friends, but I haven’t really explored other social mediums yet.

The OGM: Do you use Social Media for work?

Emily: Not as of yet.

The OGM: What do you think of Social Recruiting?

Emily: I think social recruiting is a great idea. Many people, youth, especially, are unaware of the opportunities in this industry and other industries. It is a great medium to convey information to a group that may not otherwise be reached.