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Two years ago, I left my project manager position at another consultancy to join ERM. My company had become staid, bureaucratic and stuck in its ways. Despite having a large presence in Canada, there was not much room for professional growth. I needed a change.
Sarah Gagné
Principal Consultant, Canada
Two years ago, I left my project manager position at another consultancy to join ERM. My company had become staid, bureaucratic and stuck in its ways. Despite having a large presence in Canada, there was not much room for professional growth. I needed a change.
Through a former colleague who had joined ERM, I learned a lot over lunches about the dynamic and nimble nature of the company. I wanted to work with clients in both the oil & gas and mining sectors again, and I knew I could do that at ERM, so I made the switch.
I work primarily with the impact assessment and planning team, but have also helped clients with EHS management and compliance services. It has been an exciting period for the Calgary office, which has doubled in size over the past two years. Much of that is due to tremendous expansion in the mid-stream oil and gas market, resulting in larger projects and greater opportunities for us. We collaborate with our US colleagues, which enhances the depth and breadth of our experience. ERM truly works as an integrated team in North America to serve our clients. Other consulting companies can been siloed, but ERM is not.
When I was hired, I knew I had the skills and experience to move up to the next level. My fantastic line managers understood my goal and made sure that I was working with the right projects and teams to support my promotion. When you start a new job, it is important to have someone help navigate how things work in the new organization. My line managers did this well by providing excellent advice along the way, and I was promoted to principal consultant this year.
One of the things I appreciate at ERM is our disciplined approach to executing the company’s strategy. We have very smart scientists and technical experts, but we also bring to our clients a business perspective. Our strategy is powerful for our clients and resonates with me.
The most important reason I stay at ERM is the people. I feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment in bringing together a team of highly skilled experts to solve the challenging problems facing our clients. If you are smart and hardworking, the opportunities for professional growth are endless.
I have young kids at home, and ERM allows me to work 90% of a standard workweek. The extra 10% makes a real difference in my work/life balance. I also have the flexibility to work from home or shift my working hours when needed. This flexibility is supported by senior management, but also by my colleagues. We respect each other and help one another to ensure the work is done. For example, I broke my foot earlier this year and was able to work from home as it healed. Another time, a close relative needed my help in another province, and everyone I worked with urged me to go and do what I needed to do for my family. You know ERM’s support is there in theory, but I have seen it in action. The true character of our people shined through.
