Who are "WE?"
Get to know Ian
Blevins, P.Eng., London Regional Office Manager, Earth Tech Canada
Inc. and Western Engineering co-op employer |
 |
What is your affiliation
with Western Engineering?
I graduated from Western Engineering with a Bachelor's degree in '89 and
a Master of Engineering degree in '94. Today, I am involved in the Civil and
Environmental Engineering Department fourth-year design competition, as an
external advisor or judge, depending on the need. This summer we are
excited to be hiring a first-year Civil Engineering co-op student, as part
of the Transportation Career Development Program.
What is your
role at Earth Tech
Canada Inc.?
I am the London Regional Office Manager for Earth Tech Canada, which is
a multi-disciplined consulting firm, with 19 offices in Canada. My role is
more administrative than technical but I still try to stay current through
involvement with project work.
What is the first thing you would
do if you were Dean of Western Engineering?
Continue to attract young, talented, professors with industry experience
to complement their academic skills.
What did you like most about
Western Engineering?
I enjoyed working with fellow classmates as we struggled to meet deadlines
and prepare for exams.
What was the last book you
read?
Skunk Works. It was about Lockheed Martin's development of stealth
technology and aircraft.
What have you always wanted
to try?
Skydiving. I should have done it before I had children. I will try it
once they grow up.
What advice would you give to
someone considering a career in engineering?
Enroll for the right reasons, such as a passion
for learning and understanding. Don't enroll simply because of potential
employment prospects or compensation. Life is miserable if you don't truly
enjoy what you are doing.
On a typical day, what would we
find in your lunch box?
A sandwich and some fruit, nothing exciting. My son used to send Hot
Wheels cars with my lunch but unfortunately he doesn't anymore.
What is your favourite movie?
I like movies where the good guy wins. I find old Clint Eastwood movies
particularly entertaining.
Which engineer (famous or not) do
you respect the most?
My dad because he exposed me to what engineering was all about. In addition
to technical aspects, he also explained the Code of Ethics, and an
Engineer's duties to the public and others.
Tell
us about your favorite spot on campus.
It used to be a pub called the Elbow Room. We used to go there fairly
regularly. It was a tradition to go there after every exam.
How has Western Engineering
changed since you’ve been involved with the Faculty?
In a number of ways. I think enrollment is up
overall but especially in the Civil Department. There are now more
departments and more choices for students who want a career in engineering.
There are also a significant number of younger, very committed professors
which is great for the Faculty.
What is your most memorable
moment at Western Engineering?
Finishing my last exam knowing that I could soon go out and have an
opportunity to apply what I had learned.
What are you most proud of
accomplishing over the past five years? Being able to generally keep a
healthy balance between work and my personal life so that one doesn't
dominate the other.
If there is someone in Western
Engineering you would like to learn more about or if you would like to be
profiled yourself,
contact Allison Stevenson via email (astevenson@eng.uwo.ca),
telephone (ext. 82917) or stop by her office (SEB Room 2074). Your comments
and feedback are also greatly appreciated. |
