Meet the Team: Celebrating 1 Year!
Today we are sitting down with one of our talented engineers who is celebrating their first year with Orion.
She has been quite busy since her first day back in May ’21. So now is an excellent time to see what her experience has been like working on multiple projects and what she’s learned in the process.
Introducing Bryanna Bourelle!
Welcome to the blog, Bryanna! For those who may not know – what is your title at Orion?
Hello – Thanks for the intro! I am a Staff Engineer in the Construction Management Department.
Where did you go to school?
I obtained my Associate in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago in the Spring of 2021.
What training and certificates have you obtained?
So far, I have my E-builder certification, Doc Contract Quantities, and the Construction Safety and Health Training.
How long have you been with Orion?
This May marks a full year at Orion! It’s crazy how fast time flies; it feels like yesterday I was introduced to the team via Zoom.
What do you like most about your role?
The flexibility and variety; Working in the construction management department, and after my first project ended, the next CM project was delayed due to weather and material issues. So in the meantime, I worked on doc odds and ends, experience on a speed study, and geotechnical contracts.
Geotechnical is a field I took extra courses in college, and I enjoyed it a lot. I’ve even worked with one of our structural engineers for modeling exposure. Despite being focused on a project management career, I can cultivate other skills and experience in my other fields of interest. I am fortunate not to be limited on opportunities to expand my potential.
What’s a moment in your career that makes you feel the proudest?
During my first Construction Management project, I was assigned to a bridge reconstruction project in Gurnee, IL. I was added to that project late in the stages, but I was there when the bridge was demolished until it was open to the public. I took many pictures and compared the start of the project, which was just a massive pile of dirt, to the completion of the structure with pedestrians and vehicles using it. That was a big win for me. Being a part of that team with such intricate work for what felt like a short period was a huge accomplishment for my first project.
Were you nervous about joining your first project? Was there a lot of cath up?
I was scared that the team wouldn’t be as welcoming as they were – but it was the complete opposite. It’s scary to arrive at a job for the first time because there is so much that can be unexpected. My main concerns were how our team would coordinate and how our work methods may differ. But they welcomed me with open arms, eased any worries I had, and were willing to teach me all of the Tollway procedures. Of course, it’s great when the team is ready to teach me the trade tricks and new processes, and we’re all here to get a job done, so it’s best to have a team that makes it fun!
How long did that project last?
I was there for six months, but the whole project was eight months.
Has this been your favorite project you’re involved in so far?
Absolutely. I learned something new almost every day for about months. There are so many different forms of documentation and exposure to processes that I would not have known. I’m lucky to have been added to the project when things started to get interesting! Fantastic experience for me, my professional career, and seeing the result as a team together is gratifying. I’m hungry for the next big thing!
What do you like to do with your free time when you’re not in the field or the office?
I’m a very outdoorsy person, which fits my career and current role! On the weekends, you could find my exploring a forest preserve or the lakes near my neighborhood. I also enjoy rollerblading, shopping in antique stores, and finding new small towns. In each small town I visit, I like to spend some time there to see the culture and the people.
When I’m feeling like a couch potato (because everyone has those days), I have been binging Shameless as of late – I missed the initial hype train for the show. However, my sister has recently got me addicted. I also enjoy listening to music from various genres – except death metal. I can’t do death metal.
Death metal ain’t for me either but to each their own! Do you have any pets that keep you company at your desk?
Of course! I couldn’t imagine 2021 working from home without my fur-colleagues. I have two family dogs; a Rottweiler named Zeus, a 150lb baby, and an ‘older-man’ Cocker Spaniel called Jackson. They keep me entertained and primarily awake.
What would be your highlight from 2021?
Has to be graduating and getting my first professional job. It’s a new chapter and has been a big year of firsts for me. This past year makes me excited about what else is to come and how much more I can learn.
Thank you Bryanna for the insight into your career and your experience with Orion so far. Stay tuned for even more updates – and what should the readers do?
Make sure to check out our LinkedIn page to keep updated with Orion!