How I ended up as a consultant with two engineering, business and law degrees.

When I was a kid, I actually wanted to be an architect. However, life doesn’t always go as planned.

I earned two civil engineering degrees from The University of British Columbia (BAsc) and 美国康奈尔大学 (MS). I began my career as an engineer-in-training, designing bridges. It was enjoyable, but as an entry-level designer, the work was repetitive. Designing safe structures according to design codes and regulations requires extensive practice—years of it.

I realized I wanted something different and more impactful, perhaps a managerial role, so I thought. I took on various roles that didn’t seem to align with my perceived goal of becoming a structural design engineer, but that was fine because I no longer aspired to be one.

I prepared for the GMAT and began volunteering. My aim was to get into top MBA programs like HBS, Stanford, or Columbia. But life intervened, and personal reasons kept me in Canada.

While working on the Golden Ears Bridge Project, I enrolled in the part-time MBA program at UBC Sauder School of Business . It was a fantastic experience where I met incredible people and learned a great deal, gaining a broader view of the world.

Fast-forward a few years, I was working on the Port Mann Bridge / Highway 1 Project, I found myself deeply involved in contracts and payments. Reading about damages, supervening events, and delays was exciting, and writing letters to contractors was challenging and fun and frustrating at the same time. During this period, I worked with excellent lawyers and contract managers.

This experience made me realize I wanted to learn law to be more versatile. Though I was in my mid-30s and unsure about becoming an attorney, I was determined to study law. I was accepted into the 英国剑桥大学 Law School. After earning my degree (BA Law), I continued my career as a consultant.

And that’s how I became a consultant with two engineering degrees, an MBA, and a law degree.

My career has been far from straight and conventional.

However, I learned something different and met new people in each phase. This opened up more exciting opportunities.

From engineering to business to law, I’ve taken on challenges and grown from them.

Life didn’t go as I planned, but, I believe, it turned out to be even better than I planned it to be.

Life is good.