Doug Warren | Ingénieur

Doug Warren

Professional Engineer

Created On: May 9, 2017
Sector:
Engineering
Education Pathway: University
Related School Subjects:
Physics,  Technology & Engineering

Learn About My Career

Doug Warren is a professional Engineer for Imperial Oil.

I was born/grew up in: Edmonton/Calgary, AB

I now live in: Edmonton, AB

I completed my training/education at: Professional Engineer, Engineering and Construction Manager, Imperial Oil, Strathcona Refinery

As construction manager I oversaw all aspects of the plant startup and ongoing maintenance of the projects. I analyzed and assessed the project needs and worked to identify potential problems. I also oversaw the environmental and safety inspections to make sure our workers were safe and that we met all environmental guidelines. Later in my career I worked with teams to develop personnel coaching plans for new employees. This included career, safety, quality, time management, leadership skills, and communication techniques.

The key to all of the above is communicate, communicate, communicate along with TRUST. People can never accept anything you have to tell them if they do not trust you. Trust takes a very long time to build and one must have high integrity and consistency. However it can be destroyed in almost no time at all with deceit, or inconstancy. 

I went into Engineering with the thought that I would make the world a better place though things I could design and build. I attended the University of Alberta and completed a B.Sc.in Mechanical Engineering. As an engineer I worked in the oil industry. I started off at lower level engineering jobs. As I gained experience I started taking on management and supervisory roles. Toward the end of my career I spent a lot of my time working with new engineers to help them be the best they could be at their work.

While I was in university I took flying lessons. I became a pilot to test myself against my father's career as a WWII fighter pilot/test pilot who unfortunately died when I was an infant. I wanted to become a leader as my father was to make a difference. I found that while I could make things, helping people develop to their potential was the most gratifying activity of all.

Today, as a retired person, I continue to be active in my community. I’m still using my engineering skills as a volunteer at amusement parks in the Edmonton area. Here I help with the building and maintaining of the different rides. I also volunteer with a group that looks after Social Housing units in Edmonton.

The most enjoyable part of my work in the end turns out to be helping people and organizations to excel in whatever they choose to do. I felt great satisfaction in helping others achieve their career goals and assisting them in balancing their work and personal lives. This helped make sure they had time for their families and themselves and not just the work they did.

The key activities/results of my position were important to a variety of people. I helped ensure that everyone working for me worked in a safe manner so that they could all go home to their families. As a professional engineer I worked to ensure that the work undertaken was done to the highest quality possible. This helped ensure the safety of the workers, the environment and the public.

Outside of work I was involved with my daughters’ activities when they were growing up. I also spent a lot of time volunteering in the community using my engineering skills, my leadership skills and just my time. I donate Plasma/Platelets for Canadian Blood Services every week or two. I had an exercise program for many years swimming and now I regularly go to the Fitness Centre.

The STEM skills will get you started in a career and offer a great variety of jobs. Once your career has begun it will involve working with or leading others to make things happen and improve everyone's situation. As the old flight instructors axiom states "Attitude determines Altitude, not Power”!

What I do at work

As construction manager I oversaw all aspects of the plant startup and ongoing maintenance of the projects. I analyzed and assessed the project needs and worked to identify potential problems. I also oversaw the environmental and safety inspections to make sure our workers were safe and that we met all environmental guidelines. Later in my career I worked with teams to develop personnel coaching plans for new employees. This included career, safety, quality, time management, leadership skills, and communication techniques.

The key to all of the above is communicate, communicate, communicate along with TRUST. People can never accept anything you have to tell them if they do not trust you. Trust takes a very long time to build and one must have high integrity and consistency. However it can be destroyed in almost no time at all with deceit, or inconstancy. 

My career path is

I went into Engineering with the thought that I would make the world a better place though things I could design and build. I attended the University of Alberta and completed a B.Sc.in Mechanical Engineering. As an engineer I worked in the oil industry. I started off at lower level engineering jobs. As I gained experience I started taking on management and supervisory roles. Toward the end of my career I spent a lot of my time working with new engineers to help them be the best they could be at their work.

While I was in university I took flying lessons. I became a pilot to test myself against my father's career as a WWII fighter pilot/test pilot who unfortunately died when I was an infant. I wanted to become a leader as my father was to make a difference. I found that while I could make things, helping people develop to their potential was the most gratifying activity of all.

Today, as a retired person, I continue to be active in my community. I’m still using my engineering skills as a volunteer at amusement parks in the Edmonton area. Here I help with the building and maintaining of the different rides. I also volunteer with a group that looks after Social Housing units in Edmonton.

I am motivated by

The most enjoyable part of my work in the end turns out to be helping people and organizations to excel in whatever they choose to do. I felt great satisfaction in helping others achieve their career goals and assisting them in balancing their work and personal lives. This helped make sure they had time for their families and themselves and not just the work they did.

How I affect peoples’ lives

The key activities/results of my position were important to a variety of people. I helped ensure that everyone working for me worked in a safe manner so that they could all go home to their families. As a professional engineer I worked to ensure that the work undertaken was done to the highest quality possible. This helped ensure the safety of the workers, the environment and the public.

Outside of work I

Outside of work I was involved with my daughters’ activities when they were growing up. I also spent a lot of time volunteering in the community using my engineering skills, my leadership skills and just my time. I donate Plasma/Platelets for Canadian Blood Services every week or two. I had an exercise program for many years swimming and now I regularly go to the Fitness Centre.

My advice to others

The STEM skills will get you started in a career and offer a great variety of jobs. Once your career has begun it will involve working with or leading others to make things happen and improve everyone's situation. As the old flight instructors axiom states "Attitude determines Altitude, not Power”!

When I was a student I enjoyed:

  • Computer Science
  • History
  • Industrial Arts/Shop Programs
  • Math
  • Science
  • Technology
  • Other: Crafts, Theatre

When I was a student, I would describe myself as someone who:

  • Enjoyed doing things on my own
  • Liked helping people
  • Enjoyed working with my hands
  • Was motivated by success
  • Wanted to be in charge
  • Liked being given free range to explore my ideas
  • Liked reading
  • Felt at home in the outside, natural environment
  • Felt great satisfaction in getting good grades
  • Learned best "by doing"
  • Liked to take things apart to see how they worked
  • Liked to design or build things

Related Topics

Business Careers Engineering Management Mechanical Engineering

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