The City of Calgary offers young people an array of professional development programs and mentorships to help them grow.Supplied
Saad Baig has been with the City of Calgary for two years and in that time, he’s had the chance to explore three different roles within the engineer-in-training (EIT) program, building new skills and discovering where he can make the most impact.
“The main thing that attracted me to the City of Calgary was the development pathways for young graduates like the EIT rotation program, the chance to grow and try different roles and make an impact,” says Saad.
“Your career doesn’t have to take a linear trajectory. There are a lot of different opportunities here, and this is great for me as a young professional.”
The City of Calgary serves more than 1.6 million residents through a wide network of locations across the city, delivering services such as parks and recreation, waste and recycling, transit and social programs that help meet the needs of Calgarians every day.
Saad started with the City as a summer student, contributing to engineering projects that support flood-prone communities and improve energy use at water facilities. He now reviews development plans to ensure new neighbourhoods have the right water infrastructure in place for Calgarians. He hopes to build his career as a professional engineer there.
Saad says one of the best parts of his job is that colleagues at the City are invested in his growth.
“From the get-go, I was given an opportunity to put my engineering skills to the test and contribute to projects centred around improving the lives of Calgarians,” says Saad. “From day one, they set you up for success.”
Part of that recipe for achievement is the City’s extensive training and education programs, says Heather Johnson, director of recreation and social programs.
“We have a number of professional development programs and mentorship opportunities like speed mentoring and short-term mentoring and City staff are quite willing to lend their expertise and experience to our young employees,” says Johnson.
“There are over 300 career streams available to employees within the City, including for young people. We’re really focused on building their confidence and their career skills. We fundamentally value these young employees and creating opportunities for them to thrive. That’s what sets us apart.”
Young employees are also supported by a holistic approach to wellness that includes mental health resources, access to employee fitness facilities, and flexible work options for many.
Johnson says from the start, young employees are given the message that their work makes a difference, something she says resonates with them.
“They know that what we do has an impact on Calgarians’ quality of life. I think that’s important to all of us and is a perk of the job, particularly with younger people who generationally are looking to make meaningful contributions,” she says.
“That commitment to public service aligns with a lot of the interests they have in giving back.”
The opportunity to contribute to the community above and beyond his work responsibilities is another big draw for Saad. He and his team take part in a competition with different organizations where they build structures out of non-perishable food items. He says it’s not only fun but also helps him hone his engineering skills. All the items used get donated to the Calgary Food Bank.
The creativity, pride in a job well done, and the quest for excellence are all hallmarks of the City’s young employees, says Johnson.
“Our young staff are a vibrant, dynamic group of people and the City values their diversity,” she says.
“We want and value young talent, not because we have to, but because we know their perspectives help us better serve Calgarians.”
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Advertising feature produced by Canada’s Top 100 Employers, a division of Mediacorp Canada Inc. The Globe and Mail’s editorial department was not involved.