What is it like to navigate the infrastructure industry as a young professional? Finding footing in any field is challenging. Entrants are faced with rapidly changing technologies and processes, hybrid working environments, impostor syndrome, and breaking into existing tight-knit communities. Organizations like Young Leaders in Infrastructure (YLI) strive to help people entering the industry learn, grow, and connect. In this episode of Navigating Major Programmes, Riccardo and Shormilla speak with three members of the Toronto chapter: Mariam Faizal, Ursula Kenkel, and Iris Templo. 

The trio details their experiences with the YLI tenets: developing confidence, capability, and community in the industry. They praise beneficial quarterly events, mentorships, and AI advancement, but raise a unanimous call to action for more accessibility. Their unique and unjaded perspectives highlight where expansion and improvement could elevate infrastructure as younger generations continue to transform Canada’s built environment and the organizations that build it.

Key Takeaways:

• How organizations like YLI assist those entering the industry in finding their place;
• The community-minded motivation that draws graduates from all sectors to public service;
• The need for more accessibility into the clique of established infrastructure professionals;
• A fresh perspective on the ever-growing implementation of AI;
• The ambition of continued collaboration across sectors and specialties.

Quote:

“[YLI provides] a good way of relating to my peers…but also having a good example of where my career can take me.” - Iris Templo

The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our community via LinkedIn:

• Learn more about Young Leaders in Infrastructure: https://www.pppcouncil.ca/what-do-we-do/fostering-next-generation/yli 
• Follow Navigating Major Programmes: https://www.linkedin.com/company/navigating-major-programmes/ 
• Read Riccardo’s latest at www.riccardocosentino.com  
• Follow Riccardo Cosentino: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cosentinoriccardo/ 
• Follow Shormila Chatterjee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shormilac/ 
• Follow Mariam Faizal - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariam-faizal-003335157/
• Follow Ursula Kenkel - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ursula-kenkel-2b6397173/
• Follow Iris Templo - https://www.linkedin.com/in/iristemplo/