Manager, Architectural Technology: Erin Jensen’s Career Story
This series features the professional journeys of a wide range of professionals across Canada’s real estate development industry. Often, these stories highlight how rewarding careers in real estate development are the result of following your interests, fostering personal and professional networks, and keeping an open mind about what a career in real estate development might be.
Meet Erin Jensen – Dipl Arch Tech, Autocad Certified Professional, RHFAC Professional and Manager, Architectural Technology, GGA-Architecture.
How has education or professional development elevated your career?
I completed the Architectural Technologies program at SAIT in 2007, completing it at the tail end of the big construction boom in Calgary. I started at GGA-Architecture (formerly Gibbs Gage Architects) as soon as I finished school and have been working here ever since – working my way up from Junior Architectural Technologist to my current role as Manager of Architectural Technologies. Over the course of my career I have taken numerous continuing education courses including leadership training, LEED, Technology Stewardship with a focus on Energy Transitions and most recently Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Training. I have always jumped at any opportunity to take continuing education courses to broaden my knowledge base beyond the typical architectural technologist focus. I believe continuing to learn and develop new skills is the key for my growth into my current role.
How did your interest in real estate begin?
My interest in real estate was built through my passion of being part of teams that create buildings that form part of people’s daily lives – it brings me so much joy to think of the many school projects I have been part of that are now occupied by thousands of children who are shaped directly by their experiences within that building. Knowing that those children will grow up and look back (hopefully fondly) of their time spent in a building that I had a hand in creating is very rewarding.
Tell us about your current role, including any associations you belong to and roles you may have in them
As Manager of Architectural Technologies I manage workload for my team, staffing for projects including future-casting for up to a year in advance to ensure workload is evenly distributed and projects are properly staffed based on complexity/size. I also act as an internal project manager and project lead on large/complex projects, which includes many meetings with clients, consultants and internal staff members. I manage our formal mentoring program and our BIM committee (including writing monthly newsletters). I am also involved in big picture discussions with the partnership and other leadership members to ensure our company is moving forward into the future by embracing new technologies and ensuring we are providing a place of work that everyone wants to come to every day.
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