Lauren Hutchinson
Lab Technician
Camosun College
Learn About My Career
Lauren Hutchinson is a Lab Technician for Camosun College.
I was born/grew up in: Victoria, BC,
I now live in: Victoria, BC,
I completed my training/education at: Camosun College – Mechanical Engineering Technology Diploma
My day consists mainly of engaging with the students as they work on their projects. This could include a variety of tasks depending on the needs of the day.
I work in and around a large assortment of machines and tools special to my trade. The machine lab contains a variety of specialized tools. This includes both manual and automatic mills/lathes, laser cutters for plastics and woods, as well as welding equipment. There are also 3D printers, an injection molding machine, and many other manual tools.
Students will come up to ask for help with finding tools or in setting up one of the machines. They may also need help in learning how to perform certain machining operations. I, and the other lab tech, will work with the students to answer all of their questions. We make sure that they learn to use the various tools properly. We also make sure the equipment is available to them.
The thought of any sort of engineering was far from my mind throughout high school. When I graduated, I was an honours roll student focusing on Literature and History. I travelled and worked abroad in a variety of jobs. I was a social media manager for an online marketing company in Africa. I taught English in Austria. I also co-founded a company that provided social media, layout, design and website creation services.
It wasn’t until I was a bit older that I realized my passion for design, and my natural curiosity for how things worked was a great blend for a career in engineering. Having grown up with a supportive family, I never experienced any fears entering into a ‘male dominated’ field. I understood that it was only my own work ethic and abilities that would keep me from achieving the goals I set for myself. Now I am a Mechanical Engineering Technician, and on my way to getting my degree in the field.
Engineering, especially mechanical engineering, is all about having a natural curiosity for learning. At my job, I am constantly learning and exploring new ways to design, machine, and manufacture. I love how this job allows me the freedom to train myself on the equipment. I do this through small independent projects that I take on. Most recently I volunteered to laser cut a selection of cabinet doors for local middle schools around the island.
On a larger scale, engineering simply excites me! I am passionate about where I will go with my career. This includes the things that I will get the work on and the people I will work with. I love being involved in youth outreach. I enjoy working and engaging with young students to get them interested in this field. Some highlights have been:
-Participating in introductory engineering classes offered to high school students
-Speaking to a large group of young female students about engineering
This past year I was honored to have been featured in Camosun College’s International Women’s Day campaign.
The joy of my current position is being part of the experience as students design and build their amazing projects. Having been in their shoes, I understand the stress and chaos of a project semester! As a result, I try to encourage and facilitate productive and efficient machining methods.
I also use the skills I’ve gained and the access to the machine shop to take on side projects.
In my spare time (when I can find it), I am usually found refinishing old furniture I’ve found, reading, watching TV, or hanging out outside.
Go for it! The engineering field holds limitless possibilities. I firmly believe that we are only ever held back by the bounds of our imagination…and physics.
What I do at work
My day consists mainly of engaging with the students as they work on their projects. This could include a variety of tasks depending on the needs of the day.
I work in and around a large assortment of machines and tools special to my trade. The machine lab contains a variety of specialized tools. This includes both manual and automatic mills/lathes, laser cutters for plastics and woods, as well as welding equipment. There are also 3D printers, an injection molding machine, and many other manual tools.
Students will come up to ask for help with finding tools or in setting up one of the machines. They may also need help in learning how to perform certain machining operations. I, and the other lab tech, will work with the students to answer all of their questions. We make sure that they learn to use the various tools properly. We also make sure the equipment is available to them.
My career path is
The thought of any sort of engineering was far from my mind throughout high school. When I graduated, I was an honours roll student focusing on Literature and History. I travelled and worked abroad in a variety of jobs. I was a social media manager for an online marketing company in Africa. I taught English in Austria. I also co-founded a company that provided social media, layout, design and website creation services.
It wasn’t until I was a bit older that I realized my passion for design, and my natural curiosity for how things worked was a great blend for a career in engineering. Having grown up with a supportive family, I never experienced any fears entering into a ‘male dominated’ field. I understood that it was only my own work ethic and abilities that would keep me from achieving the goals I set for myself. Now I am a Mechanical Engineering Technician, and on my way to getting my degree in the field.
I am motivated by
Engineering, especially mechanical engineering, is all about having a natural curiosity for learning. At my job, I am constantly learning and exploring new ways to design, machine, and manufacture. I love how this job allows me the freedom to train myself on the equipment. I do this through small independent projects that I take on. Most recently I volunteered to laser cut a selection of cabinet doors for local middle schools around the island.
On a larger scale, engineering simply excites me! I am passionate about where I will go with my career. This includes the things that I will get the work on and the people I will work with. I love being involved in youth outreach. I enjoy working and engaging with young students to get them interested in this field. Some highlights have been:
-Participating in introductory engineering classes offered to high school students
-Speaking to a large group of young female students about engineering
This past year I was honored to have been featured in Camosun College’s International Women’s Day campaign.
How I affect peoples’ lives
The joy of my current position is being part of the experience as students design and build their amazing projects. Having been in their shoes, I understand the stress and chaos of a project semester! As a result, I try to encourage and facilitate productive and efficient machining methods.
I also use the skills I’ve gained and the access to the machine shop to take on side projects.
Outside of work I
In my spare time (when I can find it), I am usually found refinishing old furniture I’ve found, reading, watching TV, or hanging out outside.
My advice to others
Go for it! The engineering field holds limitless possibilities. I firmly believe that we are only ever held back by the bounds of our imagination…and physics.
When I was a student I enjoyed:
- Art
- History
- Literature and English language arts
- Music
- Science
- Technology
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
- Liked being given free range to explore my ideas
- Liked reading
- Was really creative
- Felt great satisfaction in getting good grades
- Wasn't sure what I wanted to do
- Learned best “by doing”
- Liked to take things apart to see how they worked
- Liked to design or build things
Partners
Advancing Women in Engineering and Technology
Let's Talk Science would like to thank the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC (ASTTBC) for connecting us with the individual profiled above.
Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC (ASTTBC) is leading the Advancing Women in Engineering and Technology Project, a Sector Labour Market Partnership project, funded through the Canada-BC Workforce Development Agreement. The project’s goal is to increase the participation of women in the engineering, geoscience, technology and technician occupations through the implementation of diversity and inclusion strategies to recruit, retain and support career development of women to lead a system level cultural shift within these professions.
Related Topics
Explore More Career Profiles
-
Brianna Lummerding
Career Profiles
Agronomic Innovation Manager
I look after all things related to soil management for a group of retailers. -
Li Tan (he/him)
Career Profiles
Molecular Lead
I coordinate the day-to-day operations in the DNA Extraction Lab. -
Tyler Morhart (video)
Career Profiles
Scientist, Beamline Responsible - SyLMAND
I am responsible for the SyLMAND beamline at the Canadian Light Source synchrotron facility. -
Li Tan (Video)
Career Profiles
Molecular Lead
I coordinate the day-to-day operations in the DNA Extraction Lab. -
Rashell Featherstone (she/her)
Career Profiles
Senior Program Associate
I coordinate projects for the development of new products at STEMCELL. -
Kira Hoffman (she/her)
Career Profiles
Postdoctoral Researcher/Fire Ecologist
I am a researcher at both a university and a not-for profit organization where I am gaining experience to become a senior researcher. -
Zoë Ehlert (Video)
Career Profiles
Manager, Marker Assisted Breeding
I lead a team that develops canola crops by breeding plants with traits we are looking for. -
Daniel Meister
Career Profiles
Master's Student, Kinesiology
-
Zoë Ehlert
Career Profiles
Manager, Marker Assisted Breeding
I lead a team that develops canola crops by breeding plants with traits we are looking for. -
Jennifer Baltzer (she/her)
Career Profiles
Professor and Canada Research Chair in Forests and Global Change
I work at a university, teaching students and conducting research on the impact of climate change on forests in Canada and around the world. -
Caitlyn Lyons (she/her)
Career Profiles
Ph.D. Candidate
I am working towards my PhD and studying the forests in the Northwest Territories. -
Joann Whalen
Career Profiles
Professor at the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,
I teach advanced courses on how to manage soils to produce healthy, nutritious food and maintain healthy ecosystem functions.