2021 Women in Building Services: Cassidy O’Brien, SWBR

Name: Cassidy O’Brien, EIT

Title: Structural Designer

Company Name: SWBR

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I always knew I wanted to work in a profession involving the built environment. My success in math and science courses coupled with my interest in architecture led me to structural engineering. Since early high school, I have strived to be a structural engineer, specifically one that works closely with architects designing buildings. I am still growing and learning more about myself and the different professions associated with building services, so I anticipate being involved with even more aspects of planning, design, and construction going forward.

What trends will dominate your industry in the coming months?

Much of the building services field will be affected by the pandemic and will have to alter designs to accommodate our “new normal.” This will present challenges in our profession and will allow us to work on problems that we have never experienced before. Virtual work will also continue to impact our profession and force us to collaborate in ways that we may have never thought possible. I am hopeful that this nature of work will push us toward more technological development that allows us to imagine and visualize the built environment in new ways.

In the past year, what project, transaction or accomplishment are you most proud of?

In the midst of the pandemic, I finished my bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and finished a full year of my master’s degree completely virtually! It has been a huge challenge, but also such a learning experience. I have had a unique experience over the past year which has helped me to grow not only as a student, but as a working professional at the same time.

How do you contribute to your community or profession?

I believe that I bring a unique perspective to this field, as I am very early in my career and am able to bring fresh ideas to the table. The world is continuously changing, and I like to challenge the established way of doing things in order to adapt.