AI, Engineering, and Career Development Workshop

Written by Freya Li, Photos by Bin Su

The Canadian Structural Engineers Association (CSEA) hosted an engaging AI, Engineering, and Career Development Workshop on March 23, 2025, in Oakville, bringing together professionals eager to advance their careers in engineering, estimating, and project management.

Haixue Liao, President of CSEA, opened the event with welcoming remarks. He emphasized CSEA’s commitment to fostering professional growth within the engineering community and expressed gratitude to all the speakers, committee members, and volunteers.

The first session was moderated by Sheng Wang, who guided discussions with industry leaders on leadership, estimating, career strategies for young professionals, and project management.

Leadership & Career Growth with Steve Brar

Steve Brar, EVP, CTO & CIO at Metrolinx, delivered an insightful talk on leadership, emphasizing that career growth is about strategic impact, not just hard work. Drawing from his extensive experience, he highlighted the importance of embracing challenges, leading with vision, and continuously evolving in a rapidly changing industry.

"Career growth is fundamentally about the transformation of your skills, perspective, and leadership approach," Steve noted. "The journey from individual contributor to executive requires intentional development at each stage, with different metrics for success along the way."

He identified key success factors in this progression, including execution to transformation, building influence, and balancing vision as professionals advance from individual contributor to middle management and ultimately to executive leadership.

Steve encouraged professionals to seek out high-impact problems, develop problem-solving skills, and take ownership of their growth. He also emphasized the importance of continuous learning, stating, "Your growth as a leader is never complete. The most successful executives remain curious, adaptable, and committed to continuous learning."

His message was clear: leaders don’t just execute tasks—they drive meaningful change.

Estimating: A Strategic Career Path with Annie Liu

Annie Liu, MRICS, PQS, PMP, Lead Estimator at Metrolinx, provided a deep dive into the world of estimating, an essential discipline in construction and infrastructure. She outlined the critical role estimators play in ensuring projects are financially viable, explaining the different classes of estimates and their increasing levels of accuracy. With technical expertise, industry research, computer proficiency, and strong communication skills, estimators can build rewarding careers across sectors. Annie also introduced practical estimation software and tools, emphasizing the importance of certifications like PQS and PMP for advancing professional credibility and career prospects.

Success Strategies for Young Professionals with Andy Wang

Andy Wang, PEng, Engineering Supervisor at MDA, captivated attendees with practical career strategies for young professionals. He shared his own experiences of navigating early career challenges, stressing the shift from simply working hard to working strategically. Andy advised young engineers to build efficient systems, automate repetitive tasks, and leverage teamwork to increase their impact and productivity. His speech reinforced the idea that career progression is not just about individual effort but about creating scalable solutions that benefit entire teams.

Project Management Insights with Helen Deng

Helen Deng, PEng, PMP, MBA, Senior Manager at Metrolinx, described the typical project management process and explored reasons to consider a career in this field, including high demand, lucrative salary, dynamic learning opportunities, a clear growth path, and a positive impact. She outlined the essential skill set required for project managers, from risk management and budgeting to stakeholder communication and leadership. Helen also highlighted the clear career progression path in project management, from project coordinator to senior leadership roles, underscoring the importance of networking, mentorship, and continuous learning.

AI Book Discussion

Following the four inspiring speeches, a session was dedicated to the discussion of The Coming Wave: Technology, Power, and the Twenty-First Century's Greatest Dilemma by Mustafa Suleyman (2023). Steve provided valuable insights regarding the influence of artificial intelligence on the engineering and transportation sectors. With moderator Brady facilitating the discussion, Wenqin, Changming, Hangang, Raymond, and George shared their perspectives on the emerging technological revolution and the transformed world it will create. Their contributions sparked an engaging conversation among the attendees.

A Community Committed to Growth

This event was more than just a workshop. It was a gathering of forward-thinking professionals committed to growth and innovation. Attendees gained actionable strategies to elevate their careers, expand their networks, and embrace the opportunities of the future.

As the industry continues to evolve, CSEA remains dedicated to supporting professionals through events like these. Stay tuned for upcoming workshops and networking opportunities!

speakers, president and directors of CSEA (Sheng Wang, the third from the left; Hangang, the third from the right; Sarah Sha, the first from the right)