Rotating Roles, Growing Skills: Alana Pinto’s Journey at Entuitive

At Entuitive, we value and encourage opportunities for growth. We are committed to fostering a learning environment where our employees can succeed while further developing their skills. 

We had the opportunity to sit down with Alana Pinto, Structural Designer from our Toronto office, who is the first to be placed in our rotational program. Alana’s ability to apply her skills to different projects has made her an invaluable asset to her teams. Her journey through the rotational program displays her ambition and dedication to continue building her career. Thanks for chatting with us, Alana! Can you tell us what the rotational program is and how it works?  I was hired directly from university to participate in Entuitive’s first rotational program, where I was assigned to three different teams: Transportation, Special Projects, and Institutional & Healthcare (I&H). Each rotation was initially planned to last between six to eight months, though the actual duration varied based on project needs and team requirements. 

During transitions between teams, there was often a period where I worked for both, usually to finalize minor adjustments to projects I had previously contributed to. Each team assigned me a new “buddy,” which made the experience feel fresh and supportive every time I transitioned.   What new skills have you learned from each rotation? Are the skills you’ve learned in a role transferable to another? 

Many of the foundational skills I gained are transferable. As a recent graduate, I had limited hands-on experience with engineering, but each rotation helped me develop both technical and soft skills while boosting my confidence. 

That said, the day-to-day tasks and learning experiences varied across teams. For example, I have worked on below-grade concrete design on the Transportation team and above-grade concrete design on the I&H team, utilizing different software for each. The concrete code is the same, but I could be referencing the TTC Design Manual which may have different considerations than our standards.  Did you face any challenges adapting to a new role or the team dynamics?  

There were definitely a few challenges! Each team operates differently based on project types and client expectation. For instance, Special Projects and Transportation weren’t using Bluebeam Studio when I worked with them, but it was essential for markups on the I&H team. It wasn’t a big change, but it was still something to get used to. 

I also haven’t had the opportunity yet to dive deeper on any one skill, in contrast to my peers who have developed more defined skills in particular areas.  The rotational program has allowed me to develop broad skills and has exposed me to multiple areas of engineering.  

The transition period was also challenging, but I had a lot of support along the way. The leaders were very understanding! 

What are your favourite projects? 

With Transportation, I got to use a finite element software called RFEM for a TTC project. This software has been my favourite (although it’s been a while since I used it) and I really enjoyed using it! I was fortunate to have great mentors like Nicholas Greven and Shahriar Saeed-Pour, who guided me throughout the process. 

During my rotation with Special Projects, there were a variety of assignments, many of which were routine, such as core and load reviews. A highlight of working on this team was collaborating with Andrew Au-Yeung and Norris Cheng on wood design, particularly framing projects for housing in Toronto.  

During her rotation with the Special Projects group, Alana worked on the renovation of Holt Renfrew's third floor at 50 Bloor Street in Toronto.

With the I&H team, I worked on the CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) project with Belinda Wong. I did a lot of steel design in a fast-paced environment which was challenging but also rewarding.   What team was your favourite to work on? 

I have a hard time answering this question since all teams were great to work on! I met many fantastic people who were always willing to help and answer questions. 

With Transportation, I had the opportunity to work on longer projects, which allowed for more room to learn new concepts. I primarily worked with concrete and was exposed to geotechnical engineering which I really liked.  

In contrast, Special Projects is a fast-paced environment with shorter which meant I got to see projects through from start to finish. It could be challenging working on multiple projects at once, but for smaller projects, I often took the lead with oversight from a senior engineer or associate. That was pretty cool! 

The I&H team offers a mix of my experience on the previous teams, with bigger projects and a variety of materials. It’s fast paced, but I had the benefit of working on one project for the majority of the time I was there.  

Alana worked on the Centre for Addiction and Mental Heath (CAMH) project with the Institutional and Healthcare (I&H) team.

When you’re done with your final team, do you get to pick one of the teams to stay with? 

Yes! P&C and the leaders allowed me to choose, and I really appreciated their support throughout the process. I always felt like they had my best interests in mind. I imagine it’s difficult to invest time into a junior knowing that they will be leaving your team in a few months, but I was never made to feel that way.  

In the end, I chose the Transportation team! I may have been a little biased since it was my first team, but I genuinely enjoyed the work the most. I also have a strong interest in the geotechnical aspects, and on a personal level, I believe public transportation is a crucial part of our infrastructure. It feels rewarding to contribute to these projects. 

What do you see for your future career at Entuitive? 

The rotational program showed me just how many career paths are available at Entuitive. For now, though, I’m excited to stay with the Transportation team and deepen my expertise in this area. 

Thank you for chatting with us, Alana! We’re excited to see where your career at Entuitive will continue to take you! If you have any questions for Alana, reach out here.