Julie Nguyen: An Engineer's Journey of Innovation, Community, and Culture
Interview with Yasmine Hebiche, Director of Communications and Marketing
In this interview with Julie Nguyen, Electrical Engineer at DAWCO, shares her career path, responsibilities, personal challenges and community involvement. Julie also explains the impact of the “Connais tes couleurs” training program on her work, and talks with pride about what DAWCO means to her.
Yasmine: Hello Julie, thank you for accepting the invitation to this interview. It's fascinating to hear about your background and how you found your place at DAWCO. To begin with, could you introduce yourself and tell us about your current role at DAWCO?
Julie: I've been with DAWCO for a year and a half now. I've been hired as Quality Manager, mainly on electrical projects for the Réseau Express Métropolitain (REM). My role is to ensure the conformity of installations and equipment, manage quality documentation and work closely with foremen, superintendents and project managers. Right now, I'm in the midst of a transition to new responsibilities, and I'm really looking forward to these new challenges!
Yasmine: Wow, that sounds like a very versatile and exciting role for you. Speaking of versatility, your academic background is also very diverse. Can you tell us more about it?
Julie: Of course! My path wasn't a straight one. Before turning to electrical engineering, I had started a bachelor's degree in chemistry at the Université de Montréal. After two years, I realized that chemistry wasn't for me. So I decided to reorient myself towards electrical engineering, a field that attracted me more. I did several internships, which enabled me to discover different facets of the profession, such as working at Hôpital Sainte-Justine with the electrical team, or in consulting engineering firms, particularly in outdoor lighting design and building electricity.
After graduating, I worked for a year in a consulting engineering firm. However, I didn't really feel at home there. The work atmosphere wasn't what I was looking for, so I joined DAWCO, where I immediately felt a much more open and collaborative atmosphere.
This year, after passing my theoretical exam in 2023 and gaining two years' experience under the mentorship of Francis Lefebvre, engineer, project manager and colleague at DAWCO, I obtained my engineer's license and am now a member of the Ordre des Ingénieurs du Québec.
Yasmine: Well done, Julie, for this inspiring journey and achievement. It's a very important step in your career. Speaking of your academic path, you mentioned that you took the “Connais tes couleurs” training course. Can you tell us more about this?
Julie: Yes, it was a very interesting course! I had taken it at school before joining DAWCO. The aim of the course is to identify different personality types based on colors: green, yellow, blue and red. My dominant color is green, followed by yellow, blue and red. This reflects my empathetic and collaborative side.
This training really helps me to understand my colleagues better and to adapt the way I communicate. For example, if I work with someone who's more “blue”, I'll be more precise and structured in my exchanges. This makes for smoother interactions and better collaboration within the team.
Yasmine: It's really fascinating to see how understanding personalities can improve teamwork! Let's change course a bit now and tell us a bit about your commitments outside the office. I know you're very involved in the community.
Julie: Yes, I've been doing volunteer work since I was a student, mainly to promote careers in engineering. I'm an ambassador for the Ordre des Ingénieurs du Québec, and I take part in events and workshops in schools to present what it's really like to be an engineer. I like to share my atypical career path with young people, to show them that there's no single path to success, and that you shouldn't be afraid to make mistakes. It's something that's very close to my heart.
Apart from that, I'm also involved in cultural events. For example, I help organize the Vietnamese Night Market in Montreal (“Chợ Đêm” in Vietnamese). It's an event that celebrates Vietnamese culture, with booths, shows and culinary demonstrations. Among other things, I help with volunteer logistics and artistic programming. It's a great way to stay connected to my roots while sharing this culture with the community.
Yasmine: It's so rewarding to be able to give back to the community, especially by sharing your culture. I congratulate you for your involvement in the community and for promoting cultural diversity in Quebec. Let's get back to DAWCO, because I'd like to know what makes you most proud to work here?
Julie: What I'm most proud of is the people. The work atmosphere at DAWCO is incomparable. It's like a big family where everyone helps each other out. Even in times of stress or heavy workload, I know I can count on my colleagues. That makes a huge difference. The team spirit is exceptional, and it shows in every project. The mutual support creates a great working environment, and that motivates me even more.
What's more, I've had the opportunity to work on a wide variety of projects, such as the REM, which is a major project for the electrification of transport in Montreal. Not only does this allow me to learn a great deal, but also to contribute to projects that have a positive impact on the community. It makes me proud to be part of this company.
Yasmine: It's inspiring to hear how DAWCO has been able to create an environment conducive to employee fulfillment. Let's talk about your passions outside work. I understand you're an avid traveler! What countries have you already visited and what are your next dream destinations?
Julie: Yes, I'm a big travel enthusiast! I've visited several countries, including Vietnam, Thailand, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Portugal. I love natural landscapes, so whenever I travel, I do a lot of hiking. Travelling is a source of inspiration for me, allowing me to recharge my batteries while discovering new cultures.
For my next destinations, Iceland and Japan are at the top of my list. Iceland, with its breathtaking landscapes, is a destination that has fascinated me for a long time. I had planned to go there in 2020, but the pandemic upset my plans. As for Japan, it's a country that combines tradition and modernity, and that's something I'd really like to discover. As a food lover, I can't wait to enjoy the unique culinary experiences these destinations have to offer.
Yasmine: These destinations are the stuff of dreams! With all you do, how do you manage to balance your professional and personal life?
Julie: It's a challenge, especially at the start of my career. In the beginning, I put a lot of energy into my work. Over time, I've learned to manage my time better and set myself limits. This allows me to preserve time for myself and for my social life. I still have some way to go to find the perfect balance, but I'm getting better. I think it's a constant learning process, especially with projects that sometimes take longer than expected.
Yasmine: Thank you, Julie, for this heartfelt and inspiring sharing. You've shown us that engineering is so much more than a career; it's also a way of giving back to the community, achieving personal fulfillment and celebrating diversity.
Your journey and your commitment are a testament to the richness you can bring to the workplace and beyond. I wish you every success in your future projects and travels, and I'm sure you'll continue to shine and make DAWCO and the community around you shine. Thanks again for taking the time to talk to us today.