Amy Adams
3 months ago
Amy Adams joined Knight Piésold 10 years ago after obtaining her doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering. Her interest in engineering started at a young age in Northern Ontario where she spent the long winters designing and constructing snow structures and was a member of the local robotics team. Amy completed her undergraduate degree in geological engineering from the University of Waterloo and was introduced to opportunities in the mining industry via the co-op program.
These days, Amy focuses on designing mine waste management structures and providing geotechnical design support for other ancillary structures as a senior engineer based in Knight Piésold’s North Bay office. Her work has taken her all over North America, and her projects span the globe. Amy loves gardening, cooking, cycling, and of course teaching her kids about the exciting worlds of engineering and the outdoors.
How many years have you worked at Knight Piésold?
I am celebrating my 10-year anniversary in 2024, but I have been involved with Knight Piésold for much longer. I had my first interview with the company when I graduated high school to inquire about future co-op opportunities, and I was hired as a co-op student during my undergraduate studies. I worked at Knight Piésold again between undergraduate and graduate school and then finally returned as a junior engineer after graduate school. I have spent the last 10 years gaining experience and am now a senior engineer.
What is the best thing about working at Knight Piésold?
I think the best thing about working at Knight Piésold is the people. As a team, we have an amazing breadth of technical and practical experience.
What are you working on at the moment?
Although I am involved with many different projects, my main projects involve initial or ongoing (expansion) design of mine waste facilities over soft and/or potentially liquefiable soils (clay and silt). I am also involved with closure planning for existing mine waste facilities, the construction of new mine waste facilities over historic tailings, and the design of large mine site retaining walls.
What keeps you interested in your work?
Two things: firstly, working as a team with a range of engineers and scientists, often including people from other offices, and secondly, every time I think I understand something, the next project comes along with a new quirk, constraint, or challenge. These keep me thinking and learning.
What do you specialize in?
I specialize in geotechnical engineering of soft soils and laboratory evaluation of such. This was not necessarily planned but a happy result of a series of opportunities. I was accepted into three graduate programs: hydrotechnical engineering, rock mechanics, and geotechnical engineering. I was leaning towards geotechnical engineering based on my co-op experiences, and as it happened, I only received funding for the geotechnical engineering program so that made part of the decision easy I did my graduate work in laboratory testing of soils, which provided me with practical experience to support a career in design.
What advice would you give to someone just starting their career?
Set yourself up so that you can seize opportunities as they present themselves. Be aggressive, go looking for what you want and do not give up. Failure is not a bad thing—it is just a lesson in disguise and a detour on your path.
How has Knight Piésold helped you drive your career forward?
I have received some very good mentoring at Knight Piésold. Over the years, I have worked with different engineers on a variety of projects that have helped me to develop a range of technical skills and perspectives. I have also been given the opportunity to take on larger more technical projects and have been provided with the support and guidance I needed to succeed.
What makes you proud to be working at Knight Piésold?
I am most proud of the attitude of our team. I always enjoy going to work surrounded by positive, solution-oriented people. Technical competency and problem solving can be taught, but the right attitude sets the foundation for success.
How would you describe the culture at Knight Piésold?
We have a culture of discipline that transcends the company hierarchy. Everybody has a role and does what they are supposed to do, which allows us to work like a well-oiled machine. One of the key results of this culture is strong and responsible leadership, which I certainly appreciate.
What do you do when you are not at work?
I spend a lot of time with my family including my husband and two young boys. During the warmer months, you will find us playing in the garden, visiting a local park, or out at the cottage enjoying the water and picking raspberries. In the winter, we like to get out ice fishing, go sliding, or play in the snow.
What is the best thing about where you live?
I chose to return to North Bay after almost