Hill Huang

About me

I was born/grew up in: KaiPing, GuangDong, China.

I now live in: Toronto, Ontario.

I completed my training/education at: McMaster University, Honor Bachelor of Science, Environmental and Earth Science, and Niagara College, Post-graduate Certificate, Environmental Management and Assessment.

What I do at work

I work for an employee-owned construction services company. My job is to make sure our projects meet environmental guidelines and have the least environmental impact as possible. To do this I make sure our company, as well as companies we subcontract to meet all environmental regulations. These could be federal, provincial, or municipal regulations. I also manage our company’s policies related to construction sites. To do my job properly, I spend time at the work sites. At the work site, I will carry out inspections to make sure everything is running smoothly. I also check to make sure all regulations are being followed.

I used math, physics, chemistry, and geoscience every day in my work. I sometimes used specialized equipment to monitor the air, noise, and vibration. I also use equipment to screen specific soil or water samples before they are sent to the lab for analysis. This is known as field screening.

My problem-solving activity is related to making sure the construction activities run on schedule with minimum impacts to the surrounding environment. The most obvious things we look at are the soil, water, air, animal, fish and trees or other vegetation. Less obvious are things related to protecting cultural heritage resources, archeological resources, and the most important of all, people.

I make decisions every day. The first step in my decision-making progress includes making sure I understand the issue or issues. Then I will gather information and assess possible solutions.  When I have decided on the best action to take, I’ll implement that decision. Afterwards, when the issue has been taken care of, I will evaluate the decision. At this time, I’m double checking to make sure it was really the best decision. If things could have been done differently, or if the issue was new, I’ll create a lesson learned report. This helps us make better decisions in the future.  Science, technology, and engineering help me understand the issues. You must understand the issue before you can propose any solutions or suggestions. It is important that all are based on science not on emotions or feelings.

I always work as part of a team. Being part of a team is important because no one is perfect, and everyone can make mistakes. Also, everyone has their area of expertise. When working as a team, you can resolve issues and make the right decision more efficiently and in the right way. I interact with my colleagues equally regardless of their seniority, race, religion. Everyone is equal. I only use English in my daily work. If you know Spanish it may benefit you in the construction industry.

My career path is

This is somewhat what I expected to be doing when I was in high school. I was planning to become a Civil Engineer in high school. Today, I am working on various Civil construction projects, as a Professional Geoscientist. I think it is closed enough.

My preparation for this career started when I finished my degree in Environmental and Earth Science. It continued when I finished my Post-graduate Certificate in Niagara College for Environmental Management and Assessment. University gave me the knowledge and College gave me the practical skills that I use in my daily work. I did an internship during my college life. I highly recommend you do a co-op or internship during your school year or summer holiday. I worked in various fields (sales, landscaping, food factory) before I got my first professional job.

I am motivated by

It’s great seeing infrastructure changing daily and providing better services to communities nearby. Especially when I point out the projects that I am part of to my friends and family. They are all proud of me.

I sometimes rescue animals on my worksites. Here’s an example of what can happen at work: It was just like any other summer day for me, until it wasn’t. Me, and another Environmental colleague, were alerted to a situation that required our expertise in a mechanical room. Upon entering, we were shocked to find the mechanical room taken over by over 1,000 American Toadlets! I rolled up my sleeves, put on some gloves and moved each toad to safety. Removing the toadlets and transporting them to safety took a full day. But it was worth it and we all felt good about doing it. We don’t know for sure how they got into the room, but this was certainly a toad-ally unique situation!

How I affect peoples’ lives

I help protect the Environment and minimize the impacts from construction activities to the Environment and the people nearby. I am also part of the team that builds some fantastic infrastructure projects in the Greater Toronto Area. The projects benefit all current and future generations.

Outside of work I

I play video games, read, eat, sleep, and play with friends and family. I enjoy hiking. Anything outside in the environment is always good.

My advice to others

Staying passionate is important. Doing an internship and co-op is also important. Be social. Work hard and play hard.